Our team

The BFSS’s Governing Body (its Board of Trustees) is known as the Council. We also have a President, Estelle Morris, and a Vice-President, Professor John Furlong. There are two subsidiary committees: Investments Committee and Grants Committee.

President and Vice-President

Estelle Morris

President

Estelle Morris is a former Secretary of State for Education and teacher, and is now a member of the House of Lords as well as Chair of the Birmingham Education Partnership.

John Furlong

Vice-President

John Furlong, OBE, a former London school teacher, is an Emeritus Professor of Education at the University of Oxford. He is a former President of the British Educational Research Association, and Fellow of the Academy of Social Sciences. In 2017, John was awarded the OBE for services to educational research and advice to government.

Council Members

Jane Creasy

Chair

Educational and public sector leadership at local and national level. Former Operations Director at the National College for School Leadership and Headteacher.

Joy Palmer Cooper

Vice-Chair

Professor Cooper is Chair of BFSS Grants Committee. Background in education. Former Pro-Vice Chancellor of Durham University. Chair of Project Sri Lanka charity.

David Baron

Treasurer

David Baron, FCA, is a finance professional with experience of the education charity sector and multi-academy trusts.

Charlotte Cashman

Trustee

Experienced early years teacher, school governor, charity trustee and pioneering international teacher trainer in early literacy.

Anood Al-Samerai

Trustee

Experience in local and national government and the voluntary sector. Former education charity director.

Janice Miller

Trustee

Janice Miller, FCMA, has wide experience in charity leadership, governance and overseas development, including education and child protection. Formerly extensive general management, finance and consulting experience in the corporate sector.

John Kanyaru

Trustee

Grew up in a low-income community in Kenya and is now a UK university lecturer. Formerly principal investigator on British Council-funded project to improve computer science curriculum of Jomo Kenyatta University.

Suela Aksoy

Trustee

Suela is a philanthropy professional who has successfully implemented corporate social responsibility initiatives, and a wealth of experience in grant-giving for young people including for foundations and Comic Relief.

David Crowther

Trustee

David is a former Acting Director of BFSS. He has worked in publishing and international educational assessments, to developing education programmes for government.

Nick Tesseyman

Trustee

Nick has worked for the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development and Christ's Hospital School, and has voluntary roles including as an Independent Visitor for a care experienced young person.

Staff

Joanne Knight

Director

Extensive experience as Director of grant giving charities, with investments and fundraising for income. Former Trustee of Association of Charitable Foundations and Manager of Starehe UK, a Kenyan education charity.

Belinda Lawrance

Administrator

Keeping the British and Foreign School Society running smoothly since the 1990’s!

Ashley Kuchanny

Grants Manager

Background in international development. Monitoring and Evaluation Specialist, with experience working with NGOs and research institutes.

Sara Gaines

Communications Manager

Wide experience in communications for education charities, universities, community organisations and technology companies. Former journalist for The Guardian.