Who We Are

Neil Grimston has managed and led organisations in Europe, Asia and the USA. He's worked in public and private sectors holding leadership roles in investment banking, education, information technology, third sector and professional services.

Among appointments held, Neil was a Board Member European Management Committee, Chemical Bank (JPMorgan Chase), Member Executive Management Board and Group Finance Director Telos Bioinformatik AG, an Independent Non-Executive Director at Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors and Chairman Hanover Partnership.

He's currently Vice Chairman, Royal British Legion - City of Ely Branch, a Business Member @ DfE Academy Ambassadors and Fellow, Institute of Leadership and Management.

Neil was previously, Trustee of Cambridge Meridian Academies Trust, Chairman of the Trust's Estates & IT Policy & Scrutiny Committee, Chairman Downham Feoffees Primary Academy Council, Member Audit Committee Woodard Academies Trust, Chairman of Westminster City Council's Adult Education Service, Chairman Ermine Street Church Academy and Member Diocese of Ely Board of Education.

Approved by DfE as a sponsor for secondary academies, Neil worked with Serena Standing to develop Hanover Foundations as a main delivery partner within DfE's then London Challenge programme.

Master of the Worshipful Company of Scriveners in the Millennium Year. Formerly, elected member London Borough of Richmond upon Thames Council, where specialising in education, Neil chaired committees and school boards.

Holder of Efficiency Decoration (TD). Commanded a Territorial Army unit and is Regular Army Reserve of Officers (Retd). Also served as Chairman 1094 (Ely) Squadron Air Training Corps.

Serena Standing moved from an overseas career in academia to start up a business in the leisure industry, which she subsequently sold. Returning to the UK, she used her experience to mentor and advise others to achieve similar success, both in career transition and in building their own businesses.

Formerly, a Trustee Diocese of Ely Multi-Academy Trust and Member Civilian Committee 1094 (Ely) Squadron ATC, Serena was previously a Member Ely College Academy Council and the University College London nominated Trustee of The Philological Foundation, where she was Chairman of Trustees. She is a Fellow, Institute of Leadership & Management, was a Governor of Ermine Street Church Academy, an Executive Director Hanover Partnership and latterly a Member Ely College Rapid Improvement Board. She has been approved by DfE as a sponsor for secondary academies.

Between 1997 to 2013, Serena was Chief Executive, Hanover Foundations a charity that raised aspirations and developed personal skills for young people. Serena authored a skills development programme approved by the QCDA and has developed other solutions for young people in education and those seeking to enhance their life chances both in employment or for those seeking jobs.

She worked with the then Secretary of State for Education and her Ministers to roll out the London Challenge programme and has subsequently worked with government to deploy other strategic programmes aimed at raising school standards in personal skill development, both for teachers and students.