Who we are

Farida Mannan is an esteemed education professional with a distinguished career in teaching, curriculum development, and educational leadership. She earned a high Honours degree in Chemistry from University College London and a PGCE in Physical Sciences from the University of London, Institute of Education.

Qualifying as a teacher in 1987, Farida taught science and mathematics in both state and independent schools across West London and the West Midlands. She later served as a senior external marker for AQA while raising a young family.

Her leadership journey continued at the Alpha Plus Group’s Falcons School for Girls (2004–2014), where she advanced through management training to become Director of Studies and Head of Sixth Form, overseeing curriculum reform and senior school placements.

Farida later founded Mannan Education, providing academic support, assessments, and consultancy services. Committed to community engagement, she chaired the Anne Frank Trust’s annual Lunch Committee, supported refugee integration with West London Welcomes, and held governance roles with the National Education Trust and Battle Primary School.

Guided by principles of integrity, compassion, and respect, Farida actively supports cultural causes, including ACTONE cinema, the Lyric Hammersmith as well as a variety of human rights causes.

Emeritus Professor of Pharmacy at the Universities of Brighton and Sussex. Past Pro-Vice-Chancellor at the University of Brighton and Head of Schools of Pharmacy at Brighton and Cardiff Universities. Former QAA Higher Education institutional reviewer, Teaching Excellence Framework Project Board member, and Accreditation Lead for the General Pharmaceutical Council. Fellow of the Royal Pharmaceutical Society. Stephen has acted as a pharmaceutical expert to industry, the Department of Health and the European Commission and has been an external examiner and adviser to a number of universities.

Ann Cottis was a partner in PwC until her retirement after 38 years; following many years as a tax partner she developed and led the people agenda across the partnership. She qualified as a Chartered Accountant in 1979 and a Chartered Tax Advisor in 1980 after completing a Maths degree at Warwick University. She has held a number of non-executive directorship and trusteeships including City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra and Surrey Cricket Foundation.

Ben is a senior executive in the Health and Social Care sector. Prior to this, he spent 20 years as an educator, latterly as Head of a renowned performing arts school. He studied in Music and French at Bristol University and the Sorbonne (Paris). He went on to study in the USA at post-graduate level in vocal performance, conducting, and piano, whilst teaching undergraduate music theory and piano. He started his career as freelance musician, working for ten years as a tenor lay-clerk, animateur, accompanist, musical director and jazz pianist.

Jo works as Director of Education and Studies at the University of Brighton and has been awarded an MA in Education. She is a highly experienced Higher Education practitioner with a track record of cross institutional leadership in Education and Student Experience. Prior to her work in Higher Education, Jo held a senior position in Television Production and Commercial Theatre. She is also a Principal Fellow of the Higher Education Academy and Fellow of SEDA (Staff Educational Development Association).

Property development and project management specialist, Rob has a degree in architecture and started his career working in construction before spending more than 22 years at a major property company, Capital & Counties, where he ran their project team. Until his recent retirement, he was a director of Rosenau Properties.

Ruth is an experienced HR professional who has worked for a range of organisations, most recently as an Interim consultant focussing on business change and transformation.  She has been a mentor in a secondary school and a governor for the University of Bedfordshire.