governors galleries.csv (ID 1081)

• Mrs Jo Fenton Parkes
  Chair of Governors
  Mrs Jo Fenton Parkes

  Jo became Chair of Governors in 2017 having been associated with The Dixie Grammar School since 1995 as her three children attended here before studying at the universities of Cambridge, Bristol and Cardiff. Jo has a Bachelor of Education degree from Westminster College, Oxford and the National Professional Qualification of Headship. She has taught children across the primary and secondary age ranges, enjoyed being a Head Teacher and concluded her educational career as an advisor in Nottingham City before retiring in 2020. In helping today’s Dixie family Jo acknowledges the qualities the school developed in her children, in particular resilience and commitment, alongside academic success.

• Mr Mark Ashfield
  Vice Chair of Governors
  Mr Mark Ashfield

  Mark is a dedicated social entrepreneur and education advocate known for his innovative work in developing behavioural and educational interventions that empower young people. He leads a multidisciplinary team committed to creating immersive learning experiences using cutting-edge technology and the latest behavioural research. His initiatives, which have been adopted by hundreds of schools across the UK, have positively impacted the lives of tens of thousands of students. In June 2023, Mark was appointed Vice Chair of Governors, reflecting his deep commitment to education. He is also part of a global cohort of social entrepreneurs working at the London School of Economics to enhance value-centred social entrepreneurship. Mark’s leadership extends to chairing a national homelessness charity and advising on creative technology initiatives through the Midlands Creative Cluster, in partnership with the University of Warwick. Mark’s passion for social justice and community development drives his work. With a unique blend of strategic consultancy, innovative thinking, and hands-on leadership, Mark is dedicated to shaping a better future for young people and society.

• Mr Steven Boyes
  Mr Steven Boyes

  Steve sits on the Education Committee. He read Geography at Lancaster University before gaining an MSc in Management at Durham University, where he also completed a PGCE. He subsequently pursued a 30-year career in education, including 19 years as a Head Teacher. He has been a senior A level examiner and served as a Reviser and Award Committee member for Edexcel/Pearson for over a decade. Since becoming a schools’ inspector in 2002, Steve has been involved in a wide variety of independent school inspections. After retiring as a Head in 2016, Steve set up his own education consultancy business and has worked with many different schools, both state and independent, advising them on regulatory compliance, inspection preparation, self-evaluation and change management. Steve has extensive experience of school governance having served on or advised governing bodies of primary and secondary schools.

• Mr Leigh Harrison
  Mr Leigh Harrison

  Leigh has been part of Dixie life since 2017, when his first child joined the Senior School, followed by his two younger children in the Junior School. He runs a technology company, has served as the Business Mentor for Dixie’s Young Enterprise team for the past eight years, founded the Dixie Business and Entrepreneurship Award, and is, surprisingly, very good on roller skates.

• Mr David Jinks
  Mr David Jinks

  Dave lives locally having retired recently from his career in the finance industry. As a Relationship Manager for NatWest, he looked after the day to day needs of clients, analysing and advising their financial information. He then went on to work in industry as a Finance / Operations Director for a local company installing capital equipment in Europe, The Baltic States, Russia and India before returning to the banking sector with Bank of Scotland and latterly Lloyds Banking Group. Prior to his retirement Dave was a Senior Credit Manager within the Lloyds business support function assisting businesses. Dave and his wife have two sons, the elder recently graduated from Sheffield University with a 1st class Degree in Sports Coaching and the younger son is in his final year at Leeds Beckett University.

• Mrs Sarah Kennedy
  Mrs Sarah Kennedy

  After completing her degree in European Business Studies, Sarah embarked on a successful Sales and Marketing career in the FMCG sector which lasted well over 10 years, working for nationally and internationally recognised brands. Whilst raising her busy family, she has given her time extensively to the voluntary and charity sectors, both here in the UK and whilst she lived in Asia for 3 years. Each of the organisations she has worked with revolve around children: from managing an EYFS setting in Wiltshire, fundraising in the local and expat community in Indonesia for children with late stage cancer, to supporting age group swimmers in the county and region, focussing on safeguarding and welfare, team managing, fundraising and by qualifying as a competition judge. In her spare time she also studied for a law degree and project managed the year-long renovation of her current home. Sarah has four children, with one child left in their last year at Dixie, and has been involved with the school for nearly ten years. She sits on the Marketing and Communications and Education committees.

• Mr Jonathan Marsh
  Mr Jonathan Marsh

  Jonathan joined the board of Governors in 2023 and sits on the Finance, Facilities and People + Strategy Development Committees. Jonathan is married to Nicola & has two girls at the school and has always followed the school’s positive progress since it reopened back in 1987. Following his years boarding at Worksop College & a GAP year at Scots college Sydney, Jonathan attended the University of Hull & gained a BA Hons in Business Studies. He then qualified as a Chartered Marketer & also attended Warwick University for a postgraduate qualification in Strategic Leadership. His +26 years working have always been in the corporate world of drinks (Spirits) working for global companies like Diageo, Pepsi, Allied Domecq, Beam Suntory & Quintessential Brands. He’s held senior Executive positions as Managing Director, Sales Director (UK) and Global Sales Director, so regular European & global travel is something Jonathan is used to & has / is extensively experiencing. Working and motivating people is his passion for success.

• Mrs Katy McIntyre
  Mrs Katy McIntyre

  Katy joined the Board this year as a Governor on the Marketing and Communications Committee. As the Director of People and Culture at Hammonds, Katy is extremely passionate about people, their experiences and creating positive work cultures. Katy has an extensive career in delivering high impact, scalable people-first initiatives, including complex culture transformations, and leads with an inclusive, purpose and values driven approach. With a First Class BA Hons Degree in Politics with Psychology from Loughborough University, Katy’s broader international experience includes global leadership roles based in London, Sydney and more recently, Hinckley, for big brands such Global Fashion Group, Michael Page, Estée Lauder Companies and Topshop, Arcadia. Her expertise includes organisational design and effectiveness, brand marketing, internal communications, talent management and driving engagement. Katy lives locally and has two boys. Her eldest enjoyed Pippins and joined Reception this academic year.

• Professor Musa Mihsein
  Professor Musa Mihsein

  Musa is an academic with a first degree and a PhD in Mechanical Engineering from Imperial College- London University. He has also gained an MBA from Newcastle University. He has over 35 years’ experience in senior industry and higher education roles in the U.K. and international environment. Musa has occupied roles as Dean of Faculty, Pro-Vice Chancellor and Vice-Chancellor in a number of universities. He has led strategic developments to support major organisational change and gained broad commercial management skills in large and complex organisations. Musa has a good track record of delivering innovative solutions, often leading the way in technical advances. He works with Lisa Pittwood to oversee the Bernard Heathcote Foundation Committee. This is entrusted with securing the wishes of a former teacher at the school, Bernard Heathcote, who generously left an endowment to the School for the support of bursaries. This enables children from wide backgrounds to have the opportunity of an excellent education.

• Ms Lisa Pittwood
  Ms Lisa Pittwood

  Lisa was appointed Chair of the Education Committee in 2019. She has a passion and determination to ensure that the education experiences a young person finds themselves engaged with should be broad, exciting and lead them to achieve the best possible outcomes they are capable of. Lisa was a serving head teacher of a local authority maintained special school in Leicester. She worked at the school for 22 years undertaking a variety of teaching and leadership roles during that time. Originally trained as a PE and English teacher, graduating from Loughborough University Lisa has since gone on to gain further educational qualifications, including the National Professional Qualification for Headship. Since leaving headship in 2018, Lisa works as a Registered Intermediary, supporting the police / CPS to achieve best evidence from witnesses with learning difficulties. She is an independent safeguarding reviewer for a number of independent schools as well as being involved in a number of other educational projects involving learners with special education needs.

• Mr Neil Roberts
  Mr Neil Roberts

  Neil has been a Dixie parent since 2023 and joined the Governing Board in 2025. He leads and advises teams running IT in manufacturing organisations.  He has been a volunteer leader in the Scout Association for over 30 years and is currently Chair of Trustees for his local Scout Group.