Leadership Team

Qualifications: BA (Hons), MA (Ed), MA (Business Management), PGCE

James joined DLD College London as Vice Principal (Pastoral) in September 2020 and has achieved successive promotions, first to Senior Vice Principal (Pastoral) in 2021 and then to Principal in September 2024. With a distinguished career in education of nearly 20 years, James has demonstrated a strong commitment to fostering a dynamic and inclusive learning environment.

Prior to his time at DLD, he was Assistant Headteacher (Boarding and Co-Curricular) at St. John’s School, Leatherhead and was a Housemaster in the largest boys’ boarding house in the school and previously spent five years as a successful Head of Department.

With two post-graduate Masters degrees, an MA in Educational Leadership and Management from the University of Nottingham and an MA in Business Management from Kingston University, James also has the BSA boarding management qualification from Roehampton University and is currently studying for his Doctorate in Education.

James is passionate about holistic education and the development of young people and is pleased to have joined the DLD College London team where he can support the College with its ambitious development plans and growth strategy over the years to come.

Outside of school, James is a governor at a state school and is also team manager for the Surrey Schools’ Athletics Team. For his sins, he admits to being a Spurs and Quins fan and he loves a bit of karaoke!

Qualifications: BSc (Hons), PGCE, MEd, EdD

Dr Sarah Watson joined DLD College London in January 2022 from the International School of Geneva, Switzerland where she was Vice Principal for two and a half years. Prior to this, Sarah was Head of College at King George V School (part of English Schools Foundation) in Hong Kong for ten years and was a Head of Department in Wade Deacon School in the North of England for three years.

In addition to a Bachelor of Science in Geography (BSc) from the University of Liverpool and a Post Graduate Certificate of Education (PGCE), Sarah’s desire to pursue further study has also led to her holding a Master of Education (MEd) and Doctor of Education (EdD) from the University of Western Australia.

Outside of school, Sarah is a keen explorer and hiker – with one key highlight of her expeditions including a trip to Everest Base Camp. She is also a talented musician and saxophonist, performing globally in orchestras and bands.

Qualifications: BA (Hons), MA, PGCE

Gareth joined DLD College London in August 2016 as Director of Studies before being promoted to Assistant Principal (Upper School), Assistant Principal (Pastoral and Boarding) and most recently to Vice Principal. He joined us from Strode’s College where he was Head of the Creative Arts Faculty since 2009.

Aside from his role as Vice Principal, Gareth currently teaches Film. He has also taught Media A Level and Film Studies GCSE. Gareth is an examiner and moderator for EDUQAS. Beyond these academic commitments, Gareth is involved in a number of CCA’s including Community Projects, Run Club and the Duke of Edinburgh Award.

In his free time Gareth is an avid ‘very’ amateur surfer and enjoys spending time on the beach. Gareth is a keen member of the community where he lives and was elected as District Councillor in May 2019. He is also an award-winning community volunteer and was awarded a Community Builder Award by the Mayor of Newham which recognised his contribution to his local community. He has been involved in setting up a history society, running an oral history project in collaboration with ‘Discovering Stratford Village’, organising inter-generational disco parties, running children’s events at the local library and is co-presenter of East End Mystery Show on East London Radio.

Gareth is also a school Governor for Loxwood Primary School in West Sussex where he lives and is currently working towards his second Masters in Senior Leadership and Management.

Qualifications: MA (Oxon)

Helen joined DLD College London in September 2021 from Prior’s Field School in Surrey. Helen is an experienced school bursar, having worked in a number of schools – independent, boarding and state and in industry too, where she was a Business Director for the Ogilvy Group and an accountant at PWC.

Helen is an Oxford graduate, having read Modern Languages (Italian) at St Anne’s College and has studied for several qualifications, including management studies, school business management and accountancy.

Outside of school, Helen is a regular mountain biker and currently Queen of the Mountain in various locations on the Strava App.  She is also an avid reader and a fan of the arts, visiting galleries whenever possible.

Qualifications: BBA, PGCE from King’s College London, and an MA from UCL

Fumi joined DLD College London in 2016 as a Business teacher. Her leadership journey at DLD has seen her promoted to Head of BTEC, followed by Head of Piccadilly House, and later appointed as Assistant Principal (Pastoral) in 2024. In 2020, Fumi became the EDI Lead, where she has leveraged her skills and experience to lead BSA workshops focused on fostering a more inclusive environment for all students. She is also a qualified Coaching Facilitator.

In her free time, Fumi enjoys trips to the theatre and reading. She also supports health and wellbeing initiatives in her local community that encourage residents to be more active.

Qualifications: MA, BA (Hons), PGCE

Lauren joined DLD in the Summer of 2021 as Housemistress of Northern House before being promoted to Assistant Principal (Academic). Previously Lauren was at St John’s School, where she had various roles including Housemistress, Strategy Ambassador and Director of Sport.

Aside from her role as Assistant Principal, Lauren is our in-house Mental Health First Aid Instructor and a Teacher of Business and Sport. Away from academic commitments, Lauren leads on our culture strategy, and with her Masters in Business she is also a keen advocate of our ‘Crypto-Club’, encouraging young entrepreneurs for the future.

Away from DLD, Lauren separates her time between writing and playing sport. She currently writes for several local businesses, producing copy for technology, candles or reflexology firms. This includes her artistic poetry business that she runs from her Surrey home. If she isn’t cycling in the Surrey hills, then she is open water swimming down on Branksome Beach. A self-confessed sport addict, at the weekend, Lauren can be found on the golf course, tennis court or being a volunteer sports umpire. She is also a Governor for Greenfield School, Woking and has worked with several hockey clubs in the local area to produce some of our current national players.

Qualifications: BA (Hons)

Sam joined DLD in February 2023 after a decade of occupying various marketing roles within the education, not-for-profit and pharmaceutical sectors.  Notable experience in the education sector has included roles in the state system, further education and now the independent school market and so brings a variety of experience to the role.  Prior to starting his career, Sam studied at universities the UK and Australia.

Sam is a long-suffering Charlton Athletic fan and is ‘enthusiastic’ in the kitchen and on the golf course.