Virginia was co-opted to the Board in September 2020 and brings with her a wealth of expertise in Business Governance and Leadership.

After a varied career in both education and business – with senior posts in the private, charity and public sectors – I am now working in the field of Sustainable Development as Associate Director of the One Planet Centre, based in Wales. Previous roles included teaching, self-sufficient farming in the Brecon Beacons and, for fifteen years, Director at the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS). My last substantive post as Chief Executive of the Inspiring Futures Foundation (a national and international careers guidance organisation) enabled me to take a broad view on what was important for young people. It was not simply about passing exams but helping pupils develop all their talents and preparing them for life and work. This, I feel is very much in line with the Steiner Waldorf philosophy.

My working life started with obtaining a PGCE from the University of Swansea.  It was there that I came across progressive, creative, child-centered and experience-based learning and was very much influenced by writers such as Jean Piaget, Ivan Illich and, more recently, Sir Ken Robinson.

I have also held a number of non-executive posts, including President of the Career Development Institute, Director of Cheltenham Festivals, governor of the University of Wales Trinity St David and a trustee of several schools in the state and private sectors.

I now spend most of my time on a small hill farm in Carmarthenshire practicing horticulture and regenerative farming.  I am married with two children and four grandchildren.