Board of Governors
This Framework of Governance and Academic Management (FGAM) outlines the purpose and relationship between all the main decision-making bodies at LCK Academy (‘LCKA’ or the ‘Academy’). It sets out how leadership and management is structured at the Academy to ensure the implementation of the LCKA Strategic Plan, with sustainable growth and delivery of high quality higher education that meets the needs of local communities the Academy was established to serve.
Meet our Board of Governors
Mark Cooper – Chair
Mark currently works as Associate Pro Vice-Chancellor at the University of Portsmouth. He is responsible for the strategic development of UK education partnerships, apprenticeships and work based learning.
He works with schools, further education and sixth form colleges to establish meaningful, deep relationships that are mutually beneficial. Mark’s knowledge of the college sector, where he previously worked as a senior leader, means he is very well placed to support the University’s strategic UK partnerships’ vision.
Mark is a Fellow of the Institute of Leadership and Management and a Fellow of the Royal; Society of Arts. He is also Chair of Trustees for the University of Portsmouth Academy Trust (UPAT) which he conceived and set up from scratch, working with the DfE, funding bodies and the Regional Director and the headteachers of each of the schools in the Trust. Similarly at the City of Portsmouth College he is a long-standing governor and Chair of the Search & Governance Committee.
Mark has worked for and continues to work on behalf of the Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education (QAA) as an Expert Reviewer. Prior to the demitting of the QAA’s relationship with the Office for Students (OfS) he was a reviewer of quality in UK Universities, Further Education Colleges, Private Providers and International Institutions.
He also carried out Degree Awarding Powers (DAP) Assessments. In the first iteration of the Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF), Mark worked for the OfS as a TEF Assessor. Mark continues his work for the QAA, carrying out reviews of provision for the other home nations and he is part of the QAA team, carrying out commissioned institutional led reviews and assessments for providers looking to gain OfS registration and degree awarding powers.
Prof Sonal Minocha – Member
Professor Sonal Minocha is an academic leader in higher education and EdTech, with over 20 years of senior leadership experience across the public, private, and startup sectors globally. A business graduate from the University of Delhi, she began her academic career at the University of Northumbria in the UK. With a focussed purposeful passion to take learning in imaginative new directions, she brings an international and innovative approach to all her engagements.
As an active researcher, Professor Minocha has authored over 50 publications, contributing significantly to the field of international higher education and management. Her work is recognized for blending academic rigor with practical application, fostering a practice-oriented approach to learning.
Dr Steven Quigley – Advisor
Irshad Jamaldeen – Director and CEO
Taz Khan- MBE -Director
Taz Khan, a distinguished social entrepreneur, has significantly impacted the landscape of food security and community partnerships in the UK. Growing up in the vibrant city of Manchester, Taz’s early years were marked by a deep-seated passion for culinary arts and a profound commitment to social equity.
Taz’s culinary journey took a professional turn when he graduated from the prestigious Le Cordon Bleu, where he honed his skills and developed a nuanced understanding of the transformative power of food. His education not only equipped him with world-class culinary expertise but also instilled in him a strong sense of responsibility towards addressing food insecurity. Taz is endorsed as an Academician of the Royal Academy of Culinary Arts (RACA).
In recognition of his extraordinary contributions to society, Taz was honoured with an MBE (Member of the Order of the British Empire), a testament to his dedication and impactful work. His commitment to social change is further evidenced by his active role in the London Food Board, where he collaborates with fellow experts to shape policies and initiatives aimed at improving food systems across the city.
Taz’s most notable achievement is the founding of London’s Community Kitchen, a charity that has become a beacon of hope for many. Under his visionary leadership, the organization has grown to provide nutritious meals to 20,000 people every week. His innovative approach involves creating robust community partnerships with local governments, businesses, and other nonprofits to ensure sustainable food distribution and support for those in need. Taz launched his book: The Boy Who Fed London – The Story of London’s Community Kitchen