Meet the team

Sara studied law at the University of Cambridge and has spent much of her career working in the media sector for both publishing and television companies and as a writers’ agent. In recent years she has worked with professional bodies in the built environment and construction sectors as managing director of the Homebuilders Federation and the Royal Town Planning Institute. She was appointed Chief Executive of the Association for Project Management in 2015, which was awarded a royal charter in 2016 and launched its new chartered standard for the profession in 2018. Sara is an Honorary Fellow of Kingston University, a board member of the Quality Assurance Agency and holds non-executive directorships in the private and charity sectors.

Simon joined CGIUKI in late 2022, and he is responsible for the finances and associated areas of the Institute. He is a Fellow of the ICAEW and has worked in a range of roles and organisations since qualifying in 1994, mostly within the training and learning sectors.

Peter Swabey is Policy & Research Director at The Chartered Governance Institute. He is responsible for developing the profile of the Institute to members, regulators, policymakers, employers and other stakeholders by delivering thought leadership and lobbying campaigns aligned to The Institutes strategy and promoting strong governance as the vital ingredient for success in organisations. Peter has 30 years' experience of the share registration industry, gained at Lloyds TSB Registrars and subsequently Equiniti and Equiniti David Venus amongst others. He is a member of the CBI Companies Committee, the QCA Corporate Governance Expert Group and the Shareholder Voting Working Group, as well as being an Alternate Member of the Takeover Panel and a past chairman of the The Chartered Governance Institute Registrars Group.

Neil is Commercial Director at The Chartered Governance Institute. He is responsible for driving forward CGIUKI’s overarching commercial strategy and for increasing brand visibility, ensuring that it broadens its reach and impact. Neil has over 18 years’ experience in the professional membership body sector. Prior to CGI, he worked as Director of Development at the Institute of Paralegals and Director of Communications and Membership at the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators, responsible for the strategic leadership on all aspects of commercial development, communications and a global network of branches. Neil also holds non-executive positions in the regulatory and private sector.

Cynthia oversees the governance activities providing company secretarial support and advice to the governing body for CGIUKI as well as the Group including its subsidiary companies. A Company Secretary and a Governance Professional with over 15 years’ experience, she is also Institute Secretary for the global institute.

Sarah is the Professional Development Director / Education and Learning Director at The Chartered Governance Institute. She is responsible for shaping and delivering the qualifications, professional development and lifelong learning of the institute's members and the wider member community. Sarah has over 20 years' experience as an educational assessment expert, having worked across a wide range of qualifications and their associated assessments including Functional Skills, GCSEs, A levels, BTECs, Apprenticeships and a wide range of professional qualifications. Prior to joining CGIUK, Sarah has worked at awarding organisations such as City & Guilds and Pearson. Most recently, Sarah was Head of Qualifications at CFA UK.