Sharon Raj, CFA (Chair)
Sharon was appointed to the Board in May 2020 and has served as Chair of the Board since July 2023. She is also Chair of the Search & Governance Committee.
Sharon is an economist and behavioural scientist and is currently undertaking doctoral research in applied economic psychology at the London School of Economics (LSE). She is a Fellow of Advance HE and teaches in LSE’s Department of Management. Prior to returning to academia, Sharon built a senior career in banking and finance, working initially as an economist within UK and international banks and later in senior leadership roles across regulatory affairs, compliance, policy and operations at a leading credit rating agency.
She was previously a Board member of Citizens Advice Richmond and served on the Trustee Development Group for the Citizens Advice national network.
Sharon has taken several courses at RHACC, including mindfulness, art and massage, and has been a participant in the Bank of England Citizens Panel for Greater London for a number of years. She also volunteered with FiSH, a neighbourhood care organisation in East Sheen, Barnes and Mortlake, between 2020 and 2022.
Her commitment to RHACC is rooted in a strong belief that lifelong learning plays a vital role in closing opportunity gaps and improving wellbeing.
Manoj Nanda (Staff Governor)
Manoj was appointed as Staff Governor in June 2025.
He is currently Head of Business, Digital and Creative Technology at RHACC, bringing extensive leadership experience in business, digital and creative technology education. Manoj has a strong background in curriculum planning, staff development, strategic oversight and governance processes.
As Staff Governor, Manoj represents the interests and voices of college staff at a strategic level. He contributes to RHACC’s governance and long-term planning, ensuring decisions reflect staff needs while supporting the College’s mission to deliver high-quality education and lifelong learning opportunities. He also brings professional expertise in education, digital innovation and community engagement to support the College’s growth and impact.
Manoj is a member of the Finance and Resources Committee.
Robert Dykes
Rob was appointed to the Board in July 2024.
He is a CIPD-qualified Learning and Development specialist and a CIMA-qualified management accountant. Rob spent a forty-year career in the financial and services sectors, beginning as a management accountant before transitioning into learning and development. He went on to build extensive expertise as a Learning and Development Manager across technical, operational and management disciplines.
Rob has lived in the borough for over 25 years and is a strong advocate for lifelong learning as a driver of both career development and personal wellbeing. While he is looking forward to formally studying at RHACC following retirement, he is currently a regular participant and volunteer at the Old Deer Park parkrun.
Rob joined the Board to gain a deeper understanding of adult public education and educational governance.
He is Chair of the Audit Committee, a member of the Search & Governance Committee, and Lead Governor for Health and Safety Improvement.
Dr Tarloff Im
Tarloff was appointed to the Board in October 2023 and is Lead Governor for Stakeholder Engagement.
He has worked in the higher education sector for over twenty years and is an Associate Fellow of Advance HE (AFHEA) and an Associate Member of the Association for Learning Technology. His career spans universities and adult learning institutions in the UK and Hong Kong, including the University of Oxford, City University of Hong Kong, HKUSPACE – The University of Hong Kong, and CUSCS – The Chinese University of Hong Kong.
Tarloff’s professional experience includes teaching and learning support, digital education development, media production, programme management and quality assurance.
After graduating in Engineering Physics, he completed two master’s degrees in IT and new media, a Postgraduate Diploma in Education, and a Doctorate in Applied Language Sciences. His current research focuses on the use of emerging technologies to enhance teaching and learning.
Claire O’Donnell
Claire was appointed to the Board in March 2022 and is a member of the Quality and Standards Committee.
Her interest in education followed a mid-career change after twenty-five years in the investment management industry, where she held board-level roles at Gartmore Investment Management and Jupiter Asset Management. Claire later returned to academic study and was subsequently appointed to teaching roles at Roehampton Business School, followed by a Fellowship at the London School of Economics.
A long-standing Richmond resident, Claire previously served as Chair of Governors at The Vineyard School and has volunteered with the Citizens Advice team in Sheen.
Claire is a firm believer in the transformative power of lifelong learning and its ability to create meaningful personal and professional change.
Matthew Pope
Matthew was appointed to the Board in July 2023 and is a member of the Finance and Resources Committee.
He is a Chartered Architect with over 20 years’ experience in the construction industry, working across a wide range of sectors and roles. His career includes involvement in major infrastructure projects, as well as supporting clients with refurbishment and construction delivery as part of broader investment programmes.
Matthew has lived in Kingston for over ten years and has supported RHACC as an independent advisor since 2018, bringing valuable insight into estates, development and capital projects.
Sue Preston
Sue was appointed as a Governor in July 2024. She is Chair of the Finance and Resources Committee and a member of the Search & Governance Committee.
Sue is a Chartered Accountant and Chartered Tax Adviser. She began her career in the energy sector before spending a period living abroad and later moving into the not-for-profit sector. Her experience includes senior finance roles, including Finance Director positions at a school and at a large charitable trust.
A resident of East Sheen, Sue has undertaken a range of further education opportunities since retiring, including courses at RHACC. She has also served as a trustee for both local and international charities.
John Riglin
John was appointed to the Board in March 2022. He is Chair of the Quality and Standards Committee and a member of the Search & Governance Committee.
John’s professional career was spent in the IT and commercial divisions of a global oil and gas company, primarily in project and change management roles. For almost twenty years, he served as a governor at a local secondary school, including roles as Vice-Chair of the Board, Chair of the Student and Community Committee, and Chair of the Governance Panel.
As a current learner at RHACC, studying in both the School of Ideas and the Art School, John is regularly on site. He is also a volunteer consultant for the Cranfield Trust, supporting charities across the UK with consultancy and management expertise.
Having experienced first-hand the breadth of provision and community impact at RHACC, John applied to join the Board to contribute more directly to the College’s ongoing success.
Emily Frank
Emily was appointed to the Board in January 2025 and is a member of the Audit Committee.
She is Head of Marketing Operations for a major food company and has over 20 years’ experience in the food industry, working across grocery brands and hospitality businesses. Her expertise includes brand strategy and positioning, product launches, integrated communications campaigns and leading high-performing teams.
Emily has lived in the borough for eight years and has been actively involved in local charity events. As a former RHACC student, she has a strong interest in the role education plays in supporting individuals and strengthening local communities.
David Blaikley
David joined the Board in July 2025 and is a member of the Audit Committee.
He qualified as a Barrister in 1985 and went on to build a long career as a Legal and Business Affairs Executive for UK and American media companies. His work focused on overseeing the legal and commercial aspects of film and television productions in the UK, including responsibility for compliance, industrial relations, skills development and safeguarding.
A resident of the London Borough of Richmond upon Thames for over 20 years, David has studied at RHACC, completing courses including Rock & Pop Guitar and CELTA teacher training. These experiences gave him valuable insight into the life of the College and its inclusive, supportive culture.
Motivated by this first-hand experience, David sought to contribute to sustaining and strengthening RHACC through his role as an Independent Governor.
Carolyn Pepper
Carolyn was appointed to the Board in July 2025 and is a member of the Finance and Resources Committee.
Carolyn is a partner in a law firm with many years’ experience advising clients, particularly within the media, technology and entertainment sectors. Her professional background also includes significant experience in safeguarding and related investigations. She is a former Chair of the Law Society’s Intellectual Property Committee.
Alongside her legal career, Carolyn has a strong commitment to disability inclusion. Over the past ten years, she has led and contributed to numerous initiatives focused on increasing employment opportunities for people with disabilities.
Carolyn is deeply passionate about education and its power to transform lives. She values RHACC’s inclusive approach and its role in providing accessible learning opportunities for people from all backgrounds.