Board of Governors

Meet our Board of Governors

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.

Professor Minocha holds numerous professional accreditations, including Chartered Manager and Principal Fellow of the HEA, and is a Fellow of several prestigious institutions such as the RSA and the Chartered Management Institute. Her expertise has been instrumental in designing and delivering innovative programs for a range of global employers.

In addition to her academic and professional pursuits, Professor Minocha has served on various boards and councils and holds multiple international visiting professorships, reflecting her broad influence and commitment to higher education.

Mark Cooper – Member

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.

Dr Steven Quigley – Advisor

Dr Steven Quigley (Ed.D, MA (Lond), BSc (Hons), FAHEP) is an advisor to the LCK Academy Board of Governors. He is a Non-Executive Director of UCFB, a QAA expert reviewer and an HE Consultant (quality specialist). Steven started working in the Higher Education sector in 1997 and has significant experience at Registrar level. Steven has advised Universities and small higher education institutions on matters covering governance and academic governance matters as well as acquiring taught degree awarding powers and university title.

Formerly, Steven served on the Board of Trustees for the Council of Validating Universities. He is a Fellow and former Trustee of the Association of Higher Education Professionals (AHEP). Steven also sat on the UCAS Council as the AHEP nominated senior Higher Education representative. He also brought his expertise to the British Accreditation Council (BAC) where he contributed to the review of a range of institutions under several quality schemes. For and on behalf of BAC, as the Accreditation Committee Deputy-Chair, he took part in an ENQA review of BAC.

Irshad Jamaldeen – Director and CEO

Irshad is the visionary founder and CEO of LCK Academy, where his foresight and dedication were instrumental in its establishment. He brings a wealth of experience in higher education, project management, international relations, and charity work.

Irshad has a diverse background, having worked across various industries including higher education, universities and conglomerates in regions such as Asia, the Middle East, and Europe. This extensive experience has provided him with a deep understanding of the dynamics of people, processes, systems, quality, compliance, and governance.

Throughout his career, Irshad has been involved in numerous educational projects by collaborating with governments, universities, and private higher education providers through transnational education (TNE) partnerships. His local, national and global perspectives paired with strategic insights have been invaluable in fostering these partnerships.

Irshad started teaching Marketing and Strategy for Levels 4, 5, 6 and 7 courses in 2007. All the above lecturing roles include, but are not limited the following activities: To plan, prepare, teach/deliver modules and support student’s learning on a variety of programmes and related subject areas. Provide guidance, support and tutorship for student groups and individuals as appropriate. Preparation of assignment briefs. To meet partnership and internal quality assurance processes in relation to programmes.

Irshad holds a master’s degree, a postgraduate diploma, and professional qualifications in Marketing and Finance. He is committed to continuous learning, particularly in educational leadership, project management and charity.

In addition to his professional endeavours, Irshad is deeply committed to charitable work. He actively engages in initiatives to support the underprivileged and needy in both the UK and Sri Lanka, demonstrating his dedication to making a positive impact on society.

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

Taz is also a co-founder of LCK Academy, who provide private higher education to a range of students, including those from underrepresented backgrounds. Along with Irshad, Taz created and established the foundations for the Academy and constantly work on improving communities through education and career progression.

Through his work, Taz Khan continues to inspire others, proving that with passion, skill, and a strong sense of community, it is possible to make a significant difference in the world. His journey from the streets of Manchester to becoming a celebrated figure in London’s social enterprise scene is a powerful reminder of the impact one individual can have on countless lives.

Professor June Dennis – Executive Dean

Professor June Dennis has over 30 years’ experience in UK higher education holding senior roles in universities and independent HE providers. A staunch advocate for transformative student experiences, she is deeply committed to ensuring that curriculum is not only up-to-date but also enhance students’ employability and entrepreneurial skills.

June is Professor of Academic Leadership and Marketing Strategy and has an EdD in collaborative academic partnerships. A marketer by profession, June held the role of Chair of the Chartered Institute of Marketing until 2024.

She is a Lifetime Honorary Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Marketing (FCIM) and a Chartered Marketer. Additionally, she is a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (FHEA) and a Certified Management & Business Educator (CMBE). In addition to her academic role, June is an executive coach and trainer and works with SMEs to developing effective marketing strategies for their businesses. She is also regularly asked to judge business and education awards, including the Taiwan Excellence Awards which recognises and celebrates excellence in product innovation.

Murray Cooper – Academic Dean

Murray Cooper has over thirty years of teaching, management and leadership experience in higher education. He has held many senior positions including Director of Studies, Campus Principal, and Head of Academics and Quality. He has worked as a consultant for private higher education institutes in London, Oxford, and Nottingham with responsibility for overseeing the quality of Higher Education and English language programmes, as well as partnership development and compliance.

Murray ran his own business in London for five years and worked for nine years in the voluntary sector as the manager of an adult learning centre in North London, raising funds and running ESOL and IT courses for refugees. He also set up an English language school in Oxford Street, London, and worked in full-time teaching positions in colleges, universities and training centres in Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Thailand, Hong Kong, Spain and the UK.

Murray graduated from SOAS, London University and Oxford University, with an MSc in Teaching English Language in University Settings (TELUS), and retains an academic interest in pedagogy, reflection, and teacher cognition.