James Waite

James Waite, currently a Science teacher at Parliament Hill School (PHS), brings a wealth of experience as an innovator with a successful background in commercial settings. Prior to his teaching career, James demonstrated a unique ability to initiate and energise groups of people around various projects. His versatility as a generalist, coupled with a fluent understanding of organisational activities, has been a key asset in his roles.

Having served in leadership positions, including the role of chair, James is committed to consensus building, a quality that has proven beneficial for the boards and businesses he has been part of. With a successful career in the tech sector, James is positioned to contribute significantly to PHS, not only as a Computer Science Teacher but also as an invaluable member of the school leadership team.

James's capacity to engage and inspire both pupils and adults to reach their full potential is evident. His experience and skills extend beyond the classroom, offering valuable contributions to the development of the curriculum. James possesses the practical and theoretical knowledge needed to effectively teach computer science, making him a valuable addition to the school's teaching staff.

Ismail Jalisi

Ismail Jalisi is a dynamic professional with a wealth of experience and a robust academic background, holding a Ph.D. from Imperial College London. Currently serving as the Director at Cygnus Solutions in London since August 2020, he has been instrumental in leading the organisation through innovative solutions and strategic initiatives for the past three years and five months.

In addition to his role at Cygnas Solutions, Ismail has contributed to academia as an External Lecturer at Robert Gordon University in Aberdeen, Scotland, since April 2021. His commitment to education is reflected in his two years and nine months of dedicated service in this role.

With a diverse professional journey, Ismail spent 6 years with Aker Solutions, where he held the position of Group Lead from April 2018 to August 2020. During this period in Winnersh, Berkshire, United Kingdom, he showcased his leadership skills and played a pivotal role in steering the group towards success. Ismail Jalisi's diverse background, encompassing leadership, engineering, and compliance, positions him as a multifaceted professional with a strong commitment to excellence in both industry and academia. His journey reflects a continuous pursuit of knowledge and a track record of successful contributions to various organisations.

Livia Paggi

Livia Paggi is an Italian-Jewish New Yorker who has embraced Camden as her home for over a decade.

Recently moving to Queen’s Crescent, she was drawn to the vibrant and diverse community reminiscent of her upbringing in New York City. Recognising the vital role of the Queens Crescent Community Association (QCCA) in the area.

Her professional background includes working on political and social issues globally, having built and sold a political risk advisory business. In this regard, she offers expertise in HR policies and talent retention, recognising their significance for organisational continuity and resilience.

Livia's extensive experience in business development and client relations manifested through hosting events and successful fundraising, positions her to contribute significantly to QCCA's fundraising efforts.

During the pandemic, Livia played a pivotal role in setting up the Hampstead Volunteer Corps, showcasing her leadership as a team captain in coordinating assistance to vulnerable neighbours.

Alex Geddes

Alex Geddes is a seasoned professional with 29 years of dedicated service at McKinsey & Co, a renowned global management consultancy. In his current role as Chief Operating Officer for the Global Finance Function since 2021, he oversees 450 professionals across operations, compliance, technology, transformation, and innovation teams.

Previously, from 2011 to 2020, Alex served as the Global Chief Financial Officer for Industry practices, managing the financial strategy, growth, performance, and compliance of substantial business units comparable in size to FTSE 250 companies. His extensive experience within McKinsey includes various management roles in the UK office and the global finance function.

Alex excels in a collaborative and consensus-driven approach to decision-making and problem-solving, well-suited to McKinsey's global partnership model. His expertise lies in strategic planning and execution, ranging from small company acquisitions and integration to establishing new operating units from scratch. He is currently leading a global initiative to harmonise and modernise the finance function across 70+ countries.

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Lucian Randall

Lucian Randall, a former parent and customer at our Caversham nursery, currently serves as a trustee and chair of the board of directors. In his professional life, Lucian provides content, research, and engagement services across diverse industries, from science books for a young audience to complex infrastructure projects. Renowned as the author of acclaimed biographies of Viv Stanshall and Chris Morris, his work has been praised as "fluently written and impeccably researched" by the Observer.

Lucian's skills extend to project management, structural editing, and managing freelance staff. As a biographer, he has authored notable works such as Noel Gallagher: The Biography, Disgusting Bliss: The Brass Eye of Chris Morris, and Ginger Geezer: The Life of Vivian Stanshall.

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Lucian's editorial and writing career spans various roles, including being an editor and writer at Freelance, a project editor at Carlton Books, and a commissioning editor at John Blake Publishing. He holds a Bachelor's Degree in English literature from St David's University College, Lampeter, Wales, and attended Christ's College, Finchley.

James Lyons

James Lyons is an accomplished professional with nearly a decade of experience in the finance sector, having worked at two major investment banks, Bank of America and Rothschild. His expertise lies in M&A (mergers and acquisitions), where he provided strategic advice on financings, strategy, and facilitated business transactions.

Currently employed as the Group M&A Director at Busy Bees Nurseries, James continues to leverage his M&A skills, focusing on acquiring businesses and integrating them seamlessly.

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In his dynamic career, James has held significant roles, including Corporate Development at Johnson Matthey and various M&A positions at UBM plc. His educational background includes an M. Eng in Engineering from the University of Bristol and attending Eton College. James Lyons' rich experience and educational achievements position him as a valuable professional in finance and M&A.