Christie Harman is a local resident of Stanford-le-Hope, a marketing and communications professional, and an active member of the community.  As a former pupil of Gable Hall, he has a strong personal connection to the schools across the Trust.  His contribution to school life has continued through various roles, including volunteering as Chaplain at both Gable Hall and Hassenbrook, and as a mentor at Corringham Primary.  Christie has been a local governor at Gable Hall since 2018, and was appointed Chair in 2024, becoming one of the youngest Chairs in the country.

Christie is passionate about the transformative power of education and believes that a thriving school equips young people, families, and local businesses to face the future with hope and confidence.  Christie embraces the chance to offer both support and constructive challenge, particularly at this pivotal moment in the school’s journey.

Alongside his governance work, Christie is a church leader at Proximity Church, where he supports the spiritual and pastoral needs of the community. As a freelance digital marketing consultant, he brings strategic insight and leadership skills to the role.  Christie lives locally with his wife and growing family, and is committed to the long-term success of the school and its community.

Maggie Kalnins became the leader of governance services after an extensive career as a science teacher and school leader within complex urban secondary schools.

Most recently Maggie served as the CEO of an education charity which develops alternative models of learning.  During this tenure, she introduced the term ‘pushed out’ to provoke a debate amongst practitioners focusing on the weaknesses in our education systems rather than the ‘abnormality’ of the individual child.  Maggie commissioned the publication of ‘The alternative should not be inferior: What now for ‘pushed out’ learners?’, which called on schools and alternative providers to find innovative solutions that support England’s overlooked pupils

Maggie has dedicated more than 20 years to serving as a school governor.  For the past 12 years she has been a member of the Mossbourne Federation Governing Board in Hackney, where she worked closely with Sir Michael Wilshaw prior to his appointment as HMCI at Ofsted.  Maggie has a strong understanding of how governing boards play a crucial executive role in supporting and challenging school leaders to develop and sustain excellent education/wellbeing outcomes for all pupils.

Through confident and collaborative governance across schools, we can fulfil the promise that every child within a community, regardless of their background; ability; learning needs, will continue their study through routes that are academic and/or vocational and successfully enter the career of choice.