The Ashford School Foundation appoints new Trustees

Nicola Ratchford

Nicola Ratchford lives in Kent, has two children attending Ashford School, and is on the School’s Governing Body. She is Global Head of Corporate Affairs at Marex, a financial services platform, having previously run the marketing and communications function at a large insurer. An experienced marketer and strategic communications consultant, Nicola is a natural story-teller who advises organisations on how to promote and protect their reputation. Nicola started her career as a journalist writing for Bloomberg News after graduating from the London School of Economics and Political Science.

Michelle Krawczyk

After graduating University with a degree in Environmental Biology, Michelle Krawczyk joined the United States Army, initially as a Nuclear, Biological and Chemical Officer, before transferring into the Intelligence Corps. She served for 21 years in various roles with increasing responsibilities and leadership until retiring in 2016 at the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. Her duty assignments included multiple assignments at bases in the US, four tours in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, and two assignments in the UK as a liaison officer between UK and US forces.

Since retirement, Michelle has dedicated her free time to supporting charities and organisations important to the Ashford community. She currently serves as Vice Chair of Governors for a local maintained school, the Chair of the Central Ashford Community Forum, and Vice Chair of the Ashford School Parent and Friends Association. She is also a Director at Step-Out Outdoor Learning, Training and Therapy, a Community Interest Company that delivers Forest School opportunities to the larger community, ensuring the outdoors and nature is accessible to all. Michelle has one son, Olly, who attends Ashford Prep School and is currently in Year 4.

Lara Jukes

With nearly 30 years of experience, Lara Jukes (Pilgrims, 1988) is a senior leader in the not-for-profit sector, specialising in fundraising, philanthropy and marketing. Today, she provides strategic advice, consultancy and interim leadership to charities, arts and heritage, and education clients. Previously, she was Director of Development for the Institute of Cancer Research (ICR) where she led her teams to achieve a threefold increase in annual income between 2010 to 2022. Prior to the ICR, she was Development Director at the British Library and held a senior development role at the Royal Opera House. She is also a Trustee of Nurse Lifeline, a mental health charity, and was previously a member of Council for a national wildlife conservation charity. Lara attended Ashford School between 1981-1988 and was a member of the original team of four who won the ITN Experiment in space competition in 1985.