Members
Nick Jones (Founding Member)
Nick has had a successful career in catering management before co-founding, a major UK contract catering company. He has extensive experience of setting up new businesses and is currently Chair of Maiden Erlegh Trust. Nick is a long serving member of the governance team.
Julie Dennis
Julie is a Science graduate (BSc Hons from University of Bath) and experienced education finance expert who ran the Formula for Funding schools, set up a financial support service for 60 schools and provided support to Headteachers and governors in infant, primary and secondary schools for Wokingham Borough Council between 1998 and 2005, prior to joining Maiden Erlegh School in 2005. Julie joined Wokingham Borough Council as it became a Unitary authority and was a key player in the development and leadership of education services for a new authority. Prior to this Julie worked for 7 years as a finance officer in a local primary school at the start of the LMS process. Julie is also an expert on governance and led Maiden Erlegh School through conversion to academy status. She was appointed SLE for Finance and Business in the Maiden Erlegh Teaching School in 2014. Julie was instrumental in managing all of the operational activities of the opening of our free school, Maiden Erlegh School in Reading. Julie has been involved in local girl guiding for over 20 years and is currently a District Commissioner for Guiding. Julie retired from her role as School Business Manager in April 2017, and was welcomed as a Member of the Trust in November 2017.
Amjad Tarar
Amjad is an experienced solicitor and is currently working as a consultant with Lawgate Solicitors LTD Baylis House. As well as this, he is also involved in voluntary work for the local communities and has held many interfaith events to build the bridge between different communities in Reading. He joined the Maiden Erlegh Trust as a Member in April 2019.
Richard Nicholson
Richard has had a successful career in Human Resources working in senior positions in the Chemical, Pharmaceutical and Automotive industries. He was previously chairman of Maiden Erlegh School Governing Body and has been a school governor for over 20 years. Richard joined Maiden Erlegh Trust as a Member in April 2019.
Ian May
Ian May became a Member on 1 September 2021, following many years serving on the Maiden Erlegh Trust Board.
Ian May is a qualified engineer and heads the Building maintenance team at the University of Reading. He has extensive knowledge of governance at both primary and secondary — he served on Radstock Primary school governing bodies as Vice Chairman. Ian is also Deputy District Commissioner for the Scout Association. Ian was awarded the BEM in June 2016 for services to higher education. In his spare time he enjoys badminton and running.