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Governor Biographies

Ash Patil (Chair)

LA Governor

I have an Electrical Engineering degree with postgraduate qualification in Operations Research.

I have worked with Xerox for 10 years in Inventory Control and Logistics and then for 20+years with Digital Computers later to be merged into Compaq and Hewlett Packard in Management Science, (Business Intelligence) and Sales in IT solutions for big corporations . 

For the last 12 or so years, I have worked voluntarily in education in governance of all types of schools – from infant care, nursery to primary and secondary schools further extending to technical colleges. I am part of county’s Hertfordshire Leaders of Governance (HLG). I feel privileged to be asked to chair at Westfield Primary and Nursery School. Those who know me will affirm not only my sincerity, honesty and the depth of my commitment but also my tireless, boundless energy with which I do this work.

 

Charley Eriksen

Parent Governor – December 2020 – 2024

We joined the Westfield community in March 2019 and I joined the governing board in December 2020.  I have two children in Westfield School and we are very thankful to have found such a welcoming and wonderful school.  I am a chartered accountant and have years of experience of finance in schools and nurseries in both the UK and abroad.   I hope my skills will help the board with their decision making and look forward to working with the entire team to ensure Westfield School continues to provide an excellent education for our children.

 

Emily Millar

Parent Governor – November 2021 – 2025

I joined the Westfield Governing Board in November 2021. I have four children who attend Westfield and I am pleased to be part of the supportive and welcoming school community.  

I am a secondary school teacher and a SENDCO-in-training and hope my experience here can be of benefit to the board. I am passionate about the education our children receive and feel strongly about the inclusion of all children within our setting.  

I am very much looking forward to working with the other members of the board to ensure the ongoing exceptional education our children receive. 

 

Paulius Gailiunas 

Parent Governor – September 2022 – August 2026

I have joined the Westfield family in 2020, when my son started reception here, and began my role as a school governor later in 2022. I have a huge passion for learning new things and it allowed me to have a rather diverse career, that included teaching music, running a small recording studio, working as a photographer, and managing an electronics lab. I currently work as a software engineer. I think my diverse skills and perspectives

 transfer well to assist the board of governors, particularly in relation to health and safety, which is my current focus. I am very excited to be working with the governing body and the school to ensure Westfield continues to be a safe and enriching space for our children.

 

Ben Conolly

Co-Opted Governor October 2023 – September 2027

I joined the governing board at Westfield in October 2023. I have two young children and live in Berkhamsted. I am a chartered accountant by trade and hold a BSc in mathematics from the University of Warwick, and now work in the insurance industry where I lead financial planning and performance management for a global specialty (re)insurance company.  I am passionate about education and the opportunities in life it brings; and I wish to positively impact Westfield with my input to the governing body.

 

Antonia Ractliffe

Co-Opted Governor October 2023 – September 2027

I was appointed to the Westfield governing body in 2023. I have lived in Berkhamsted for several years and have 2 young children. I currently work in financial services in a senior management position and have experience working in tax and human resources. I believe education plays a crucial role in a child’s development and I am excited to be able to use my skills to work with the governing board and help children grow into well-rounded individuals.