I qualified as a chartered accountant initially in the 1980’s and have recently retired from my career as an auditor in financial services. I am now keen to use my expertise in accounting, and finance generally, on a voluntary basis. To that end, over the last 6 years I have developed a career in the Third Sector, and am now a trustee at 4 charities, including being a Treasurer at 3 of these. The charities are mainly in the community sector, in east London: one, for example is a theatre and social space in Hoxton. I have built up an understanding of matters such as budgeting, financial reporting in the not-for-profit sector, as well as on topics such as governance and risk management. I am also cognisant of topics such as GDPR, safeguarding, and H&S. Additionally, because my wife has been a head teacher locally for many years, I have some familiarity with a number of the challenges facing primary schools, including SEND, LEA requirements and Ofsted inspections. As I appreciate the issues facing schools, and wish to make a contribution to the local community, now I have more time available, becoming a school governor seems an ideal way to achieve that, particularly given my professional background.