Trustees

Asima Chowdhury completed a degree in Applied Biology before qualifying as a Biomedical Scientist. She worked at the Bristol Royal Infirmary where she gained a primary fellowship in clinical chemistry and later moved to Canada where she worked as a microbiologist.

After moving back to the UK, Asima completed a teaching qualification gaining experience in both primary and secondary schools. She had several roles as Science lead, Science Lead Practitioner, Specialist Leader in Science and became a Fellow of the Primary Science Teaching College in 2018.

Asima worked as Deputy Leader of Academies at the DfE and has been an advisor for the DfE on primary science assessment. Since joining Teach First she has supported teachers completing the National Professional Qualification programmes and works with senior leaders on school-to-school collaboration.

Catherine Kington has always worked in education and currently teaches on the Initial Teacher Training and Education programmes at Oxford Brookes University. Through her teaching of science and design technology to trainee teachers, she hopes to enable the next generation of teachers to be confident and passionate in their teaching, thereby enthusing children in science.

Catherine was a teacher and leader in primary schools for over 20 years before moving into higher education. She originally studied History and Politics at the University of Sheffield before completing a PGCE, and she has recently completed an MA in Education.

Catherine is looking forward to bringing her experiences in education to her work with the PSTT.

Jyoti Sehdev is a Chartered Civil Engineer by background, passionate about engaging diverse young people with STEM subjects and applying diversity of perspectives to solve global challenges. Jyoti works for Costain as the Group Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Lead, within the ESG Team, where she has developed and is currently implementing the 2021 Inclusion Strategy. Jyoti is dedicated to leading by example through her work as a STEM Ambassador, working with the PSTT to break down misconceptions about construction and engineering and encourage young people into an exciting and world-changing industry.

She is also a member of the London Mayor's Young Professionals Panel, where she engages in STEM outreach and uses her knowledge to advise on the future of London's Infrastructure, increasing efficiency and accessibility for all.

Jyoti was selected in the 2021 Top Women in Engineering and as the 2022 Winner of the Asian Women of Achievement Awards in the Real Estate, Construction and Infrastructure Category.

Laura Hickman studied Natural Sciences at Cambridge University before qualifying as a solicitor specialising in commercial litigation. She advises national and international companies, financial institutions and high net worth individuals on their most significant disputes and risks. She has worked in both in-house environments and in leading international and city law firms in London, Hong Kong and Paris. Her educational background in maths and science has frequently assisted her legal work, which requires analytical thinking and even, in some cases, scientific understanding.

Laura has two young children embarking on the early stages of their primary school journey, and she is keen to encourage their inquisitive nature with her own enthusiasm for science. Laura is passionate about supporting the Trust's work in engaging children in the wonders of science from an early age.

Michael Reiss is Professor of Science Education at UCL Institute of Education, Visiting Professor at the Universities of Kiel and York and the Royal Veterinary College, Honorary Fellow of the British Science Association and of the College of Teachers, Docent at the University of Helsinki and a Fellow of the Academy of Social Sciences.

A former Director of Education at the Royal Society, he is also a Priest in the Church of England and President of the International Society for Science and Religion. His research and consultancy interests are in science education, bioethics and sex education.

Olivia Thompson is the Director of Strategic Capability at the Nuclear Innovation Research Office (NIRO). She provides independent strategic and technical advice to UK Government on all aspects of nuclear power generation, medical isotope production, propulsion and fusion. Prior to this Olivia held a senior role at the UK’s National Nuclear Laboratory (NNL) where she oversaw their Early Career, Training, Education, Learning and Development and Equality Diversity and Inclusion teams. She is a non-executive director of Women in Nuclear and Racial Equality in Nuclear organisations.

Olivia is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute for Professional Development (CIPD) and the Nuclear Institute as well as being a Chartered Chemist/ Scientist.

Prior to her career in HR, Olivia was a research scientist, specialising in understanding and predicting the behaviour of radionuclides in the Environment. She has published several research papers and theoretical text on this topic and represented the UK at many international conferences.

Paul Shuter studied History at Lancaster University, trained as a teacher, and spent 11 years teaching in large comprehensive schools. Curriculum development work included a secondment to the early Computers in the Curriculum Project, and the Schools History Project. He was a Chief Examiner for CSE, O Level and GCSE and is the author of a number of textbooks and articles on teaching history. He spent 20 years working in educational publishing where his roles included Primary Publishing Director at Heinemann and MD of Ginn, Heinemann and Rigby.

For the last ten years he and his wife have run a publishing consultancy business developing book and digital projects for publishers and arts institutions.

Richard is an Actuary and investment specialist, with more than twenty years’ experience in investment management, investment consulting, pensions and insurance. He is currently a Director at Columbia Threadneedle Investments, a global investment management firm, where he is responsible for the investment outcome of institutional clients, specialising in Fixed Income and Liability Driven Investment (LDI).

Richard previously held roles at Mercer, PwC and Aviva, holds a BSc in Physical Sciences from University College London and is a Fellow of the Institute of Actuaries.

Saurabh Das is a Chartered Accountant and brings more than twenty years’ experience in providing strategic governance and financial advice to public sector organisations. He is currently a Principal at Avison Young, a global commercial real estate advisory company.

Previously, Saurabh held senior finance and commercial roles at the Cabinet Office and Department of Health, working closely with Ministers and Finance Directors across Whitehall departments and government agencies.

He gained his accountancy qualification at PwC UK, auditing NHS Trusts, Local Authorities and Universities. He holds an MA in Philosophy, Politics and Economics (PPE) from the University of Oxford and a BA (Hons) in Mathematics from the University of Delhi.