Directors
Stephen Graham, Foundation Director - Chair of the Board, Chair of the HR Committee
Finance Committee
Now retired, Stephen was previously a Chief Superintendent with West Midlands Police and since 2002, worked in senior leadership roles overseeing strategic planning and coordination of operations, deployment of staff teams and resources. Stephen is part of the Edrington Abbey Parish.
Declaration of Business Interests
None declared.
Bernard O'Driscoll, Foundation Director - Vice Chair of the Board
HR Committee
Bernard is currently Director of People & Culture for Barnardo’s, the UK’s largest children’s charity. He has extensive experience across the private and public sector in Human Resources and in general management. He is also the Governor of his local Catholic Primary School and is an active member of his parish of St Ambrose Barlow, Hall Green.
He has been a career long champion of active learning, and holds an MBA from Warwick Business School and gained a Masters in Contemporary Theology through Newman College.
As an ex-pupil of St Thomas Aquinas, Bernard is delighted to contribute to the Board of Lumen Christi with his professional expertise in all aspects of business management and talent development. His ambition is that all pupils and staff throughout Lumen Christi get the best possible opportunity to achieve their potential to the full for the good of themselves, the Church and the wider community.”
Appointed to the Board 14th March 2019 by Archdiocese of Birmingham
Declaration of Business Interests
- Trustee of St. Mary's College Oscott CIO
No other declarations made.
Matt Hill, Foundation Director - Chair of the Curriculum & Standards Committee
Remuneration and HR Committees
Currently Head of Religious Studies for St Peters Catholic Secondary school in Solihull with responsibility for the delivery of the RE curriculum from Years 7-13 and for supporting and promoting Catholic Life and Catholic Worship in school and in the local community.
Matt feels that he can support the academy in ensuring Catholic Education continues to offer life chances to young people from all social, religious and academic backgrounds. He feesl that the Gospel values should underpin how young people and adults in our schools interact and learn together.
Appointed on 15th March 2017 by Archdiocese of Birmingham
Declaration of Business Interests
- None declared.
Matt's daughter is employed as a member of staff at a member school of Lumen Christi.
Claire Simmonds, Foundation Director - Chair of the Audit Committee
Audit and Finance & Facilities Committees
Claire is currently a Director at Deloitte LLP working in the Audit and Assurance practice. As a Chartered Accountant and member of ICAEW Claire has extensive experience as an external auditor supporting finance teams, Audit Committees and Governing bodies with technical accounting, financial reporting and risk management. She has previously been a member of the Audit Committee at Halesowen College.
As a former pupil of Lumen Christi schools, and now as a parent it is really important to me that the current and future pupils are given every opportunity to be their best self, build a solid foundation for the future and have the confidence and faith to fulfil their potential.
Co-opted to the Board in16th September 2021 by the Board of Directors
Declaration of Business Interests
- None declared
Membership of Professional Body
- Institute of Chartered Accountants, England and Wales
No other declarations made.
David O'Reilly, Foundation Director
Audit, Finance & Facilities, Curriculum & Standards and Remuneration Committees
David is currently a Senior Vice President in the Global Program Management team at AECOM, an international consulting company active around the world in program management, architecture, environment, and engineering. A Fellow of the Institution of Civil Engineers, David has more than 40 years post graduate experience in developing and delivering infrastructure programmes within the public and private sectors both in the UK and overseas.
'As a former pupil at St. John Fisher and St. Thomas Aquinas schools, and a parent of children previously at St Brigid's and St Thomas Aquinas, I and my family have benefitted enormously from a supportive and aspirational education. I hope that my skills and experience can contribute to maximizing the prospects for educational and personal success for the children and staff of the Lumen Christi family.'
Declaration of Business Interests
- None declared.
Other Positions Held
- Parish Councillor for Lickey & Blackwell (Shepley Ward)
No other declarations made.
Denis Kenny, Co-opted Director - Chair of the Finance & Facilities Committee
HR and Audit Committees
Denis has over 40 years experience in both industry and professional services. He has held senior leadership positions with a number of blue chip organisations including being a partner with Ernst and Young, a Vice President with Capgemini, a Director with PWC and most recently the Purchasing and HR Transformation director for Jaguar Land Rover. He has a passion for developing people and in particular leaderships skills based on the values of integrity, honesty and commitment. He is currently a mentor to a number of leaders within business and runs his own learning and development company.
Denis is an ex-pupil of St Brigids and St Thomas Aquinas and says his Catholic education gave him a sound, values based, foundation for life. He is delighted to have been invited on to the board of Lumen Christi and excited by the opportunity “to give something back”. He is motivated by ensuring every child attending a Lumen Christ school has a great education, enabling them to grow and enjoy the best possible preparation for life.
Declaration of Business Interests
- DFKY Consulting Ltd.
Directorships Currently Held
- PE Procurement Partners Ltd.
- Strategic Partnership Academy Ltd.
Membership of a Professional Body
- Chartered Institute of Purchasing and Supply
No other declarations made.
Declaration of Business Interests
None declared.
Neil Handel, Foundation Director
Audit and Curriculum & Standards Committees.
Neil is a retired solicitor who spent much of his working life handling real estate transactions for Catholic charities. He is a former pupil of St John Fisher Primary School (1963-1970) and St Thomas Aquinas School (1970-1977). He has 10 years experience as a school governor at both primary and secondary level and is a strong believer in the importance of Catholic education. Having benefitted immensely both academically and spiritually from his time at school he is keen to see similar opportunities provided to today's young people.
Neil lives in Selly Park and is a member of St Edward's parish.
Declaration of Business Interests
None declared.
Danetta Powell
HR and Curriculum & Standards Committee
Danetta is a dedicated, practicing Catholic committed to nurturing the spiritual and educational growth of young people. Guided by her faith, she champions schools where students flourish academically and spiritually, and where communities are strengthened through shared values.
She is an experienced operations leader, currently Director of Operations at Birmingham Education Partnership, and formerly Head of Operations at a Premier League Academy. She has a proven track record of translating strategy into action, optimising organisational processes, building high-performing teams, and creating scalable systems that embed supportive and empowering cultures.
A passionate advocate for diversity, equity, and inclusion, she ensures leadership pathways are accessible and achievable for underrepresented groups. As a Non-Executive Director, Danetta is committed to advancing our mission to deliver outstanding education, enriching students’ religious lives, and strengthening our local communities through values-driven leadership.
Rebecca Nash, Interim Chief Executive Officer (Accounting Officer)
Declaration of Business Interests
Rebecca's husband is an assistant manager for the Education Team at Zurich insurance.
Director at St John Paul II MAC
