Who’s who on the Governing Body

Monsignor Tony Barry

Foundation Governor

Monsignor Tony is the Moderator of the Guildford Parish and was appointed as a Foundation Governor for St Thomas’ in April 2019.

Kate Carter

Headteacher

Kate Carter took over as Headteacher in September 2023, having taught at the school since September 2008. Kate has taught in Catholic schools since 1996 in Surrey and Kingston.  She is married, her eldest two children are at university and her youngest attends sixth form at St Peter’s.  Kate is a member of the Parish of Guildford and attends Mass at St Pius X.

Kate has no business interests connected to St Thomas and is not currently a governor in any other school.

Nicola Powell

Chair of Governors

Nicola Powell joined the Governing Body in September 2017 and is currently the Chair of Governors. Nicola is an Associate Director with EY (Ernst and Young), working in Human Resources.  She previously worked for Baker Tilly (now RSM) and Barclays Bank also in HR.

Nicola is married with two children and lives in Merrow. Her children both attended St Thomas’, one in Year 4 and the other is at St Peter’s.  Nicola and her family attend Mass at St Pius.

Nicola has no business interests connected to St Thomas and is not a governor at any other school.

Robert Charlwood

Co-opted Governor

Robert Charlwood was appointed  a Co-opted Governor in November 2018 and was reappointed for a further four year term in November 2022. His association with St Thomas of Canterbury started over 30 years ago.

When  Robert and his  wife  moved to Merrow Park  in 1987 , their two children were already pupils at St Thomas, both children are now married, still living in Guildford  and one of his grandchildren is currently a pupil at St Thomas.

Robert retired in 2011 having worked as a Chartered Civil Engineer in the UK and overseas in Oman, Hongkong and Saudi Arabia.

His hobbies include ballroom dancing, ancestry, helping with the children’s projects and spending time with the grandchildren who are,  in his words, the ‘icing on the cake’.

Robert  has no business interests connected with St Thomas and is not a Governor at any other school.

Darren Della Maestra

Foundation Governor

Darren Della Maestra was first appointed by the Diocese of Arundel and Brighton as a Foundation Governor in September 2013, and is Vice Chair of the Governing Body. His most recent term as a Foundation governor began in July 2021.

Darren is the link Governor for Safeguarding.  He is a qualified teacher with over 22 years’ experience and is really passionate about inclusive learning and strong pastoral support for all learners.  He teaches at a Sixth Form College in Hampshire.  He lives in Guildford with his wife (a teacher at St Thomas’) and two children who attend St. Peter’s. 

Darren has no business interests connected to St Thomas and is not a governor at any other school. Darren is a regular visitor to the school in his role as Safeguarding lead Governor.

Andy Gray

Foundation Governor

Andy was appointed as a Foundation Governor in July 2021. He is Managing Director for UK Commercial Banking at NatWest, having spent 30 years in banking in the UK, Europe and Africa. He holds a degree in economics.

Andy is married with three “adult” children.  He lives in Worplesdon and is a member of the Parish of Guildford and attends mass at St Joseph’s.

Richard Holmwood

Parent Governor

Richard Holmwood was elected a Parent Governor in October 2017. He stood unopposed in October 2021 for a second term. Richard is a Managing Partner of an investment fund and a director at a number of technology businesses. He spent his earlier career with HM Treasury, the Foreign Office and in banking. He has a background as a professional economist and holds a Masters degree and an MBA.

Richard lives in the Guildford area with his family. They all love the positive communal feel of St Thomas’. Richard is keen to support the school as it continues to go from strength to strength. He enjoys playing tennis and cycling.

Richard has no business interests connected to St Thomas and is not a governor at any other school.

David Noyce

Parent Governor

David Noyce was elected a Parent Governor in October 2021. He is a Financial Services transformation leader with over 25 years of experience across global organisations in Wealth Management, Investment Banking and Consulting roles; as well as Fintech/startups. He currently works at Citibank in London.

David is married with two children and lives in Guildford. His two children were lucky enough to be accepted at St Thomas’ upon the family’s return to the UK, after 5 years in Singapore. The family attend Mass at St Josephs. 

David volunteers with Help The Aged in Guildford and enjoys spending time with friends and family – and trying to play the guitar!

David has no business interests connected to St Thomas and is not a governor at any other school.