Governors

Mark Evans - Chair of Governors

Mark Evans is Managing Director of Havas Faze, a healthcare communications agency within the global Havas network. With a background in digital strategy and a track record of award-winning work for major brands like Vodafone, McLaren F1, and Cadbury, Mark brings expertise in communication, technology, and user-centred design—skills that translate directly into effective school governance, strategic planning, and stakeholder engagement.

In addition to his professional role, Mark is a trustee of the children’s health education charity Medikidz, a mentor with The Prince’s Trust, and an advocate for Crohn’s & Colitis UK. He has a strong personal passion for ensuring all students get a fair start in life, and he is committed to supporting young people through empathy, inclusion, and opportunity. His values align closely with the academy’s mission to empower every student to reach their full potential.

Karl Fenn - Principal

Karl Fenn has been a qualified teacher for nearly twenty years and has dedicated his career to high-quality education, strong leadership and improving opportunities for young people. He studied Politics and International Relations at the University of Leicester, graduating with a 2:1, before completing his PGCE at the UCL Institute of Education.

Karl began his career at Burlington Danes Academy, where he worked for Ark for four years in a range of curriculum and pastoral roles. He joined Ditton Park Academy in 2014 and progressed from Assistant Principal to Vice Principal, before becoming Principal.

Sport has always played an important role in Karl's life. Coming from a family with a strong sporting background, he developed an early appreciation for discipline, resilience, and ambition. He is a keen triathlete and a two-time Ironman athlete, and these experiences have helped shape his approach to leadership, including his high aspirations and expectations for himself and others.

Karl feels privileged to serve as Principal of Ditton Park Academy and to play a part in shaping the future of education in Slough. He is passionate about ensuring that every young person receives an excellent education, benefits from high expectations and is supported to achieve their full potential.

Pierre Spain 

Pierre has worked in the Airline business for 28 years as regional director and corporate director responsible for the running of operations in Europe, Middle East and Africa. Responsibilities included customer service standards and safety as well as a wide range of business units and budgets. 

Pierre was also chairman of the trustees for the company pension fund in addition to chairman of the board of directors for a private handling company at several airports in India. 

Pierre is an Irish national who has lived in the UK since 1996. 

Manmeet Pabla - Parent Governor 

Manmeet  has worked with various organisations and industries; consumer goods, research, media & telecommunication, and the food industry to mention a few; with experience across Finance, Sales & Marketing, Operational management.

His current occupation is a Sector Manager (Healthcare & Education sector) within the food industry. Manmeet has a son in year 10, who’s enjoying the encouraging and supporting nature of DPA.

As are all Governors, he’s also very keen to ensure that the children strive to gain the best skills and knowledge, and remain happy and confident.

He believes that his skills will bring a fresh perspective to the school and recognises that its fundamental to help all children to thrive, supporting the choices they’ll make in their adult lives.

He looks forward to learning more about the Academy and the mechanisms which exist, and work with the governing team to ensure that all children flourish at Ditton Park Academy.

Throughout my career I have sought opportunities to develop and utilise my professional expertise and to play an active part in educational developments.  My focus has primarily been within the field of Special Educational needs and I thrive on the diversity and challenge that this cohort of learners offer.  I have worked successfully in senior leadership positions in special schools for over twenty five years, of which nearly twelve years was as Headteacher of a large generic residential special school .

I retired in 2019 having returned to classroom teaching and work in a resource base within a mainstream primary school for the last two years of my career.  This experience gave me a unique position of being able to understand the implications of school, local and national policy from three different perspectives.

I am involved in two small educational Trusts within Slough, serving as Chair for them both.  I have also recently served as a Safeguarding and SEND Governor at a school in Woking.     I enjoy the challenges that the role brings, and the opportunities to help the Leadership Team of the respective schools make a difference to the lives of the young people within the school.