Neil Taylor
I have been a senior charity leader for over 30 years in the social care sector, including five years as the Chief Executive of Langdon, a supported living and employment services provider for adults with learning disabilities and autism.
I have a track record in leading complex service provision, innovative service development and charity mergers. I have significant experience in driving strategic and culture change, risk and project management and I have developed a deep understanding of the complexity of collaborative working, stakeholder management and community engagement. I am passionate proponent of values based leadership and the critical impact it can have on positive staff engagement and workforce development in social care.
As a long serving Vice Chair as both a Charity Trustee and School Governor in Special Education, in addition to a number of other trustee roles, I have developed a deep appreciation and understanding of good and trustworthy governance and have a unique insight of charity leadership from a trustee and executive perspective.
I have a daughter with a severe learning disability. I also bring a family perspective to understanding how best to provide services to the people we support and giving them the choice and control over their lives.
Natalie
Grazin
I am a Trustee of Southover Partnership, appointed as a Parent Governor in May 2023. My daughter started as a student at Southover in 2022. I was previously Chair of Governors at Alma Primary, a mainstream Barnet primary school for 8 years, having led the establishment of the school under the government’s Free School Programme from initial idea to full school over three years.
I work professionally as an executive coach and an organisational consultant, advising on strategy, governance, and leadership. I work in the healthcare sector with NHS leaders and with a range of charities.
I have spent 6 years of fighting to have my children’s needs recognised and met has made me passionate about improving the school experience of children with SEN. I believe that the Southover ethos and its flexible, child-led model is unique and could benefit so many young people.
Beverley Vincent
I am incredibly excited to be a trustee for the Southover Partnership. I taught for 23 years at a north London secondary school mainly as Head of the Performing Arts Faculty managing five departments, but also spending time as Deputy Head of Sixth Form and a Teacher Governor. I became increasingly aware that self esteem, good communication and social skills were key to success in life and left the school to focus on helping more vulnerable people find their voice. Since then I have worked in several hospital schools for young people with complex mental health challenges, developing programmes to help young people rebuild their social skills, confidence, feel safe and valued.
Through this work, together with experiencing my own children having challenges managing in mainstream education, I learned how essential it was to develop a safe space for young people to feel empowered and be able to succeed.
Apart from working in schools, I also work in Care Homes, with a programme I created called Music, Memories & Me,engaging residents in discussions and music, encouraging them to have their voices heard and valued, as well as working with the staff, helping them develop their communication skills with their service users and each other. I have also delivered communication workshops online to groups of corporate managers of some leading companies in the UK, US, Japan, Australia and New Zealand, and coach individuals who wish to develop their confidence and communication skills.
I look forward to using my skills to help Southover to continue to successfully provide quality education to young people and ensure they reach their potential.
Katie
Adams
I’m Katie Adams and joined Southover as a Trustee in February 2023. I am a qualified Probation Officer and spent most of my career working in this field. I have also worked in mental health and complex needs. For the past 12 years, I have been a Governor at a primary school; my roles have included safeguarding governor and chair of governors.
I am a parent of 3 older children (17-21 years), all who went through different educational pathways. My middle child has SEND, had an EHCP and went to a specialist provision so I am particularly interested in being a trustee at Southover Partnership.
In my spare time I enjoy going to the theatre, walking and watching Watford FC!
Zarina Casey
I was delighted to have the opportunity to join Southover as a Trustee in October 2023, bringing my experience in marketing and communications. Since studying marketing at Wolverhampton University, I have gone on to work in various commercial sectors (recruitment, travel and media) before fulfilling my passion to work in the charity sector.
Since joining the charity sector I have led communications teams at Blind Veterans UK, Walsingham Support and now the Health Foundation. Each role has enabled me to continue to learn and grow my strategic communications skills. I have used the full communications mix to engage and inspire audiences to take action.
I have always wanted a role that enables me to support children or youth to achieve the life they want and deserve. I have mentored previously at The Girls Network and now see this as another way to use my skills to support pupils and staff at Southover.
Some of my interests outside of work include going to the theatre, spending quality time with friends and family, as well as learning Spanish. Lynn inspired me when I first spoke to her with her 300 day streak on Duolingo and as a result my Spanish is improving day by day. However, my biggest passion is travelling. I am currently on 86 countries and counting with only Andorra left to complete Europe.
Andrina Collymore
I am truly honoured and privileged to assume the role of a trustee for The Southover Partnership.
With over two decades of experience in the field of Finance, acquired across various sectors, including involvement with a not-for-profit charity, I bring a wealth of knowledge and expertise to this position.
Amongst all my professional roles, working with children has been the most fulfilling. Witnessing the transformation in the lives of both children and their parents when provided with the necessary tools to navigate life fills me with great joy and purpose.
My primary objective is to effect meaningful change, and I am enthusiastic about leveraging my expertise to make a significant impact on the lives of children, young individuals, and their families as they progress through their educational journey.
In addition to my professional life, I am a mother of one and a grandmother to two wonderful teenagers. I am an active volunteer and a proud member of my local community choir. These experiences have reinforced my commitment to making a positive difference in the lives of those around me, and I am excited to extend this dedication to The Southover Partnership’s mission and vision.
Sharron Grant
I am delighted to join Southover Partnership School as a Trustee. I have many years’ experience in human resources, working in the charity, utility and information technology sectors. My most recent roles have been working as the head of human resources for Jewish Care and currently the director of human resources and & organisational development at the Royal Free Charity.I am delighted to join Southover Partnership School as a Trustee. I have many years’ experience in human resources, working in the charity, utility and information technology sectors. My most recent roles have been working as the head of human resources for Jewish Care and currently the director of human resources and & organisational development at the Royal Free Charity.
