Our Governors

Vinay Dhir has been working in higher education for seventeen years and currently heads a team of senior network and communication engineers. Vinay has delivered large scale secure IT infrastructures and has extensive experience with Data, Voice and IT Security. Vinay is a key technology innovator and believes that as schools become more autonomous IT is essential to underpin teaching and learning.

Vinay is committed to providing more opportunities for the next generation of young adults by sharing his experience from Academia.

Stephen Hermes attended his local comprehensive school in Sunbury-on-Thames before going up to Magdalen College, Oxford where he gained a master’s degree in chemistry. Afterwards, he completed a Post Graduate Certificate in Education and has worked in secondary education for the last thirteen years. He is currently a House Master at Eton College. Stephen is passionate about education inside and outside the classroom.

He is particularly interested in the development of evidence-based practice in education and is a Teacher Fellow working on cutting-edge research on ‘Growth Mindset’ and prosocial attitudes in partnership with colleagues at Harvard University’s Education School.

Business Interest: NIIT Ltd - Senior Consultant and IDUK Group Ltd - DirectorAlok Gupta is an experienced IT professional with a strong background in Product Management and Consulting. A proud alumnus of Sainik School (Military School, India), he holds a B.Tech in Information Technology and brings a strategic, solution-oriented mindset to the Governing Body.He is also the Co-founder and Director of the IDUK Group, an organisation focused on uniting communities to foster positive social change.

Through this platform, Alok actively champions social engagement, youth empowerment, and inclusive development.Driven by a deep passion for community service, Alok is committed to supporting the school in making well-informed decisions that prioritise student wellbeing and educational excellence. He firmly believes in the importance of holistic, inclusive education that prepares children for both academic and personal success.Alok is married and a proud parent of a daughter at the school.

He is honoured to represent the parent community and contribute to the continued growth and success of the school.

Rajni Negi is a Business Consultant with a strong background in engaging stakeholders, facilitating leadership discussions, and leading diverse teams. She brings valuable experience in governance, continuous improvement, and building positive relationships. A confident public speaker and active member of the wider community, Rajni is passionate about supporting young people’s growth—both academically and through extracurricular pursuits.

As a Parent Governor at Upton Court Grammar School, she is dedicated to fostering collaboration between parents and the school, encouraging inclusive values, and contributing to the holistic development of every student.

Zaryab is a Chartered Engineer and experienced Senior Project Manager with a strong track record of delivering complex, high-value infrastructure projects in the UK energy sector. He currently leads critical customer connection projects in London, strengthening the resilience and capacity of the UK’s electricity network and supporting the national mission to achieve net-zero by 2050.

A passionate advocate for STEM education, Zaryab is committed to inspiring young people to explore careers in science and engineering. He brings strategic leadership, technical expertise, and a dedication to continuous improvement to his role as governor, alongside a personal enthusiasm for sports, horse riding, and travel.

Amanda is an experienced HR professional working in the education sector, currently operating at Senior Leadership Team level in a local secondary school with responsibility for employee relations, wellbeing and people strategy. She holds a Postgraduate Diploma in Human Resource Management and has over 25 years’ HR experience across education, NHS and the private sector. Amanda has lived in Slough since childhood and has two grown up children.

As a governor at Upton Court Grammar School, Amanda is passionate about promoting a positive school culture where every student can thrive. She is particularly interested in how strong leadership, clear communication and collaborative working contribute to excellent outcomes for pupils, staff and the wider school community.

Gurchat Lasher has always lived in Slough and attended a local Secondary Modern School.

He has three children who have navigated schooling within Slough.

He has worked in a range of sectors including the Civil Service, Banking and Retail.

He has studied at Essex University, Political and Social Sciences. He has also studied for a First-Class honours degree in Computer Science at the University of East Anglia in addition to an undergraduate degree in Social Sciences and Geography from the Open University. He has pursued Postgraduate study in Philosophy at Birkbeck College.

He has a passion for education, lifelong learning and equality of opportunities for all.

He is an active member of his local Sikh Gurdwara, Singh Sabha Slough.

His passions outside of education are family, tennis, cycling and physical fitness.