The Mill Trustees

The Mill Trust, formally the St Marylebone Camp of William Ellis School (registered charity number 325110), exists to steward and sustain The Mill on behalf of the young people it serves.

All our trustees have strong connections to The Mill and to the school and, as The Mill approaches its 100th anniversary, trustees remain as committed as ever to its protection and development, and are working with the Wardens on ambitious plans to continue improving the grounds and facilities so that The Mill can continue to offer a unique, enriching experience to future generations of young people.

The day-to-day care of The Mill is in the hands of its Wardens, who bring warmth and welcome to the groups who use it and, with the help of volunteers from the school community, ensure the site is maintained to a high standard.

Income from site hire goes directly into the upkeep of the land and buildings. We benefit hugely from donors, individuals, trusts and foundations who support the work we do. If you would like to learn more or help us secure the future of this wonderful place, please do get in touch.

  • Sam was Headteacher of William Ellis School until 2020 and is proud to remain connected with the school and its community through his role as a trustee.  He is also a trustee of the William Ellis Trust..

    He believes that good education is rigorous and expansive, combining academic learning with broader experiences to help young people grow into kind, resourceful and ambitious adults who positively shape their communities. Sam now advises schools and academy trusts on leadership, governance and improvement, including the recruitment and development of senior leaders. He also serves as a governor of a school in south London.

  • At school I benefited from school summer camps at The Mill. I started my career in the oil industry as a geologist, moving to senior management in the building and hospitality industries. Now retired, my principal hobby is hiking and mountaineering, both sparked by the trips to The Mill.  For 20 years I was a school governor at William Ellis School and a trustee of 4 other school related charities.  I continue to be motivated by the importance The Mill provides to children, especially from the inner city, for outdoor learning and starting their journey of love of the countryside.

  • Fiona Millar is a writer and journalist specialising in education policy. She has worked as a reporter, feature writer and political correspondent on several national newspapers and was a special adviser at 10 Downing Street between 1997 and 2003.

    Since leaving Downing Street Fiona has chaired three charities focussed on the well-being of children, young people and families: the Family and Parenting Institute, the National Youth Arts Trust and the Young Camden Foundation which supports the youth sector in her home borough. Fiona has also been a governor at three schools in North London, and chaired two governing bodies, including William Ellis School. She is currently Chair of the  William Ellis Trust and a director of the Careers and Enterprise Company, which is the national body for careers education in England

    Fiona has written several books; By Faith and Daring. Interviews with Remarkable Women; The Secret World of the Working Mother, and The Best for My Child. Did the schools market deliver?

  • After starting my career in advertising, I spent 20 years working at William Ellis in various administrative roles for the English and SEN departments, the sixth form and as Headteacher’s PA and Office Manager.  Along the way I also served as a staff governor.  My two sons attended William Ellis and LaSwap and continue to have many friends from their William Ellis schooldays.

    In retirement I am lucky to have an allotment in Camden and enjoy gardening in a lovely hidden haven of nature.  I strongly believe that it is important for London boys to be able to enjoy the benefits of being connected to nature in a nurturing environment; to roam safely in green spaces and enjoy wide blue skies.  I became a Mill Trustee as I believe that The Mill offers this opportunity for not only William Ellis boys but other London children and adults. The Mill needs to be cherished as a rare and special place to enable an escape to the countryside for us all.

  • I trained as a zoologist at Bedford College, but became interested in design and marketing which I later took up as my profession. I was a William Ellis school governor for many years, first while my son attended. After serving for twelve years I took up my current role as trustee with the Mill Trust.

    I am also a trustee for the Tete a Tete opera company, and a Captain of Kenlyn Tennis Club which has always been in Dartmouth Park though is currently homeless due to property development. I have lived in N19 for over 30 years.

  • Izzy has been the Headteacher at William Ellis since September 2020.

    A keen believer in the importance of outdoors education she is often found on the school’s residential trips to the Mill.

  • The Mill Trust are currently looking for at least one new trustee to support our work through the next stages of our exciting development.

    Please get in touch with Will Durham at wdurham@williamellis.camden.sch.uk for more information

  • Trustee Bio