Peter Strike

Peter Strike retired in 2016 from his role as Vice Chancellor and Chief Executive of the University of Cumbria, a position he held for 5 years. A molecular biologist / geneticist by trade, he worked for almost 30 years at the University of Liverpool where he held a personal Chair in Genetics and Microbiology.

He subsequently undertook senior management roles at Edinburgh Napier University, Northumbria University, and the University of Sunderland before moving to Cumbria. A keen sailor, he holds the RYA Yachtmaster qualification and also served for 17 years with the RNR. He is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Biology.

Heather McKenzie

Heather is an Executive member of the National Education Union (NEU)and chairs the strategy committee for bargaining, negotiations and pensions. She sits on the NEU Officers Steering Group, which oversees strategy and finance. She sits on various national negotiating bodies and has represented the NEU at the STRB in England and Wales.

Prior to the establishment of the NEU Executive. Heather was a member of the National Union of Teachers, National Executive and Chaired the Salaries and Superannuation Committee for 8 years.

Heather is also a trustee / counsellor for a local women’s charity.

Heather’s previous experience is as a secondary school teacher, including being an Assistant Head, Inclusion Co-ordinator / SENDCo and School Governor. She has also worked for a range of support services in and outside education including Citizens Advice.

As someone who is experienced in representing and advocating for students, teachers and her union locally, nationally and internationally, Heather hopes to bring relevant experience, commitment, challenge and communication to the board. Heather is clear that as a Board member she will use her energies to constructively challenge, secure and develop the Teachers’ Pension Scheme for all its members.

Maria Chondrogianni

Maria is a Principal Lecturer at a university based in London. She has worked in Higher Education since 1990 and has wide-ranging experience teaching university students at all levels. Her current role includes senior pastoral support for undergraduate and postgraduate students. She has had extensive experience of leading student recruitment and admissions for her school and has been a member of the university academic governance body for 4 terms. She has also been active in primary education governance, as a parent governor.

Maria is a member of UCU. She has served as the chair of her local branch for many years and is currently a member of its national executive committee. She is currently the Vice-Chair of the UCU Higher Education Committee. She has a keen interest in defined benefit pension schemes and regularly advises her colleagues on pension matters.

John McGill

I am a serving Mathematics teacher, who has a facility agreement with the London Borough of Barking and Dagenham (LBBD) to perform casework and negotiating duties for teachers in the NASUWT teaching union. I am also the elected National Executive member for District 25, covering North East London. I attend member meetings with teachers and give advice on contractual aspects of their role to support them. I also negotiate policy with the local authority on teacher’s conditions of service. 

As part of the National Executive, I chair the Salaries, Pensions and Conditions of Service committee. This is a standing committee responsible for overseeing and developing union policy on all related areas. I sit on the Teacher Pensions Advisory board, where stakeholders oversee policy developments related to teacher’s pensions and hold the Department for Education to account for implementing policy in this area.

This work has given me a clear insight into the working of the Teachers’ Pension scheme (TPS) and led me to apply for a position on the main Board to oversee the running of the TPS.

In my spare time, I am interested in walking, sport and current affairs

Michael Collier

Mike is currently serving as the Head of Department for Electronics at Westminster School since 2020. For over 20 years, he taught GCSE and A-Level as the Head of Technology at independent schools in Surrey until 2015. During the interim time, Mike embarked on a personal sabbatical to pursue a full-time MPhil in Educational Leadership and School Improvement (ELSI) at Queen’s College, Cambridge. Subsequently, he delved into the world of consultancy, working as a Senior Project Manager in the engineering construction industry. His focus areas included major contracts, project development, cost analysis, and strategic planning.

Recently, Mike served as a Governor for nine years at a large secondary school with an ‘Outstanding’ status. In this capacity, he actively participated in panels overseeing the appointment of a new Headteacher and Deputy Heads. His roles included Chairperson of the Teaching and Learning Committee and membership on the Financial Oversight Committee. Additionally, he conducted research to address staff recruitment and retention challenges.

Originally hailing from Somerset, Mike relocated to Surrey in 1994, following extensive travel and work experiences abroad, including stints in Australia and New York. Beyond his professional life, his interests span a diverse spectrum, with a particular passion for classic motorbikes.