Trustees

Asima completed a degree in Applied Biology before qualifying as a Biomedical Scientist. She worked at the Bristol Royal Infirmary where she gained a primary fellowship in clinical chemistry and later moved to Canada where she worked as a microbiologist.

After moving back to the UK, Asima completed a teaching qualification gaining experience in both primary and secondary schools. She had several roles as Science lead, Science Lead Practitioner, Specialist Leader in Science and became a Fellow of the Primary Science Teaching College in 2018.

Asima worked as Deputy Leader of Academies at the DfE and has been an advisor for the DfE on primary science assessment. Since joining Teach First she has supported teachers completing the National Professional Qualification programmes and works with senior leaders on school-to-school collaboration.

Fred was born in Perth, in 1958, where he also completed his primary and secondary education. He graduated from the University of Dundee in 1980, following which he spent several years working in mining and mineral exploration overseas. On return to the UK, Fred undertook an MSc and Postgraduate Diploma in Engineering Geology at Imperial College, University of London.

After this, he worked for several Engineering Consultants and was involved in the management of a number of projects across the UK. Including designing and supervising the excavation of a major road tunnel on the North Wales coast road.

Fred was married in North Wales in 1988 and shortly afterwards, he decided on a change of career direction and, after completing a PGCE, he taught Chemistry and Science in schools in England and Scotland for 10 years.

In 1999, Fred joined SSERC - a Scottish National science and technology advisory and professional development service - as the Chemistry Adviser. By 2003 he was the Chief Executive Officer, a position he held until he retired recently at the end of June 2017. In this role, Fred worked closely with Local and National politicians, Local Authority officers, the Scottish Government, Government agencies and a number of charitable trusts. He was also a member of several National Committees and Chair of a number of Advisory Boards.
During Fred’s time at SSERC, the organisation became established as the leading provider of Professional Development for STEM school education professionals in Scotland.
Fred is a Fellow of the Geological Society, a Chartered Member of the Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH) and was a member of the Association of Directors of Education in Scotland (ADES).

Helen Ferris studied law at Bristol University before qualifying as a solicitor specialising in employment law at Osborne Clarke. As an employment lawyer Helen advised multi-national clients on a wide range of employment law issues including board appointments and removals, issues arising from mergers and acquisitions, contractual documentation, collective consultation matters and general day to day HR matters. Helen has taken a step back from legal practice to focus on her family.

She has two young children who are wildly excited about school so she hopes to be able to support the Trust in its work to spread inspirational science teaching to as many children as possible.

Julia is an Associate Advisor at the Behavioural Insights Team, where she focuses primarily on implementing and evaluating school-based education interventions. Before joining the Behavioural Insights Team, Julia spent five years as a primary school teacher, working with 9-11 year olds.

Prior to teaching, Julia was a research assistant in the Psychology Department in the University of Oxford where she evaluated the impact of early language interventions in schools. Julia holds a BA in Politics, Psychology and Sociology from the University of Cambridge and an MA in Professional Education from the University of Warwick.

As a former teacher of primary Science, Julia is excited to be part of PSTT’s mission to bring excellent science teaching into every primary classroom.

Jyoti is a Chartered Civil Engineer by background, passionate about engaging diverse young people with STEM subjects and applying diversity of perspectives to solve global challenges. Jyoti works for Costain as the Group Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Lead, within the ESG Team, where she has developed and is currently implementing the 2021 Inclusion Strategy. Jyoti is dedicated to leading by example through her work as a STEM Ambassador, working with the PSTT to break down misconceptions about construction and engineering and encourage young people into an exciting and world-changing industry.

She is also a member of the London Mayor's Young Professionals Panel, where she engages in STEM outreach and uses her knowledge to advise on the future of London's Infrastructure, increasing efficiency and accessibility for all.

Jyoti was selected in the 2021 Top Women in Engineering and as the 2022 Winner of the Asian Women of Achievement Awards in the Real Estate, Construction and Infrastructure Category. She joins the PSTT as a new Trustee in September 2022.

Michael Reiss is Professor of Science Education at UCL Institute of Education, Visiting Professor at the Universities of Kiel and York and the Royal Veterinary College, Honorary Fellow of the British Science Association and of the College of Teachers, Docent at the University of Helsinki and a Fellow of the Academy of Social Sciences.

A former Director of Education at the Royal Society, he is also a Priest in the Church of England and President of the International Society for Science and Religion. His research and consultancy interests are in science education, bioethics and sex education.

Patrick Hand joined an American stockbroker in the City of London as a trainee over 35 years ago before moving in to market making and broking where he gained a wealth of experience.

Patrick then worked for Aberdeen Standard Investments for over 20 years, one of Europe's largest active investment fund managers, as a senior Client Director where he was responsible for reporting to charity and pension fund Trustee boards as well as corporate clients on all aspects of their investments. Recently stepped down from this role, he still holds the Investment Management Certificate. Patrick’s focus as a Trustee will be on the investments the Trust oversees and would like to use his experience in this field to benefit the Trust where he can.

Patrick has two grown up sons with whom he enjoys sailing, especially on the west coast of Scotland, trekking, skiing and watching rugby.

Paul Shuter studied History at Lancaster University, trained as a teacher, and spent 11 years teaching in large comprehensive schools. Curriculum development work included a secondment to the early Computers in the Curriculum Project, and the Schools History Project. He was a Chief Examiner for CSE, O Level and GCSE and is the author of a number of textbooks and articles on teaching history. He spent 20 years working in educational publishing where his roles included Primary Publishing Director at Heinemann and MD of Ginn, Heinemann and Rigby.

For the last ten years he and his wife have run a publishing consultancy business developing book and digital projects for publishers and arts institutions.

Saurabh Das is a Chartered Accountant and brings more than twenty years’ experience in providing strategic governance and financial advice to public sector organisations. He is currently a Principal at Avison Young, a global commercial real estate advisory company.

Previously, Saurabh held senior finance and commercial roles at the Cabinet Office and Department of Health, working closely with Ministers and Finance Directors across Whitehall departments and government agencies.

He gained his accountancy qualification at PwC UK, auditing NHS Trusts, Local Authorities and Universities. He holds an MA in Philosophy, Politics and Economics (PPE) from the University of Oxford and a BA (Hons) in Mathematics from the University of Delhi.