The CAIRN Trust Team
David Thomas MBE - Chairman and Trustee
David was born in Lahore and educated at Wellington and RMA Sandhurst. His active service included time in Cyprus, and then with the 2nd KEO Goorkhas in Borneo, Singapore, Malaya, India, Hong Kong and Brunei. After leaving the army, he held a number of executive positions before finally starting Thomas’s London Day Schools with Joanna. David is Founder Principal of Thomas's London Day Schools and also a Trustee of 2GR Trust.
MBE Update - David's unique contribution to the cause of education in the UK and, particularly, in Nepal has lead to him being awarded an MBE, for services to schools in Nepal, which he will receive from Queen Elizabeth II on November 16th. His MBE sponsors have all trekked in Nepal with David over the course of the last 40 years, visiting remote villages where local schools had been or were about to be built, and seen first hand what David has achieved in this amazing country. His sponsors include Field Marshall Sir John Chapple, Lord Robin Hodgson, Bruce McFarlane, Jayne Hufschmid and Anneli Tedder.
David Thomas: "I am overwhelmed by this award. I regard this honour as one that reflects the work and involvement, for which I am most grateful, of many people, especially my wife Joanna."
"I want to help the hardworking and cheerful people of this country realise their dream and give what support we can to those who have no hope at all, but who could still make something of their lives, with even a very little help."
Joanna Thomas - Trustee
Joanna was born in Calcutta and educated at The Manor House School, Limpsfield. She was an actress who was trained in repertory. She played juvenile leads in two West End productions and appeared in many dramas on BBC and ITV. As an army wife, she travelled widely in the Far East and has three children Bianca, Tobyn and Ben. On her return to London she founded Thomas's Kindergarten, Pimlico in 1971. Then in 1977, she opened Thomas's London Day Schools with David. Joanna is presently Founder Principal of Thomas's London Day Schools.
Joanna Thomas: "I want to help the children of Nepal through The CAIRN Trust because their opportunities for education and healthcare are limited. Their parents often face hunger and adversity but almost universally these hill people are honourable, hardworking and full of good humour."
Tobyn Thomas - Trustee
Tobyn was educated at Wellington College and Grenoble University. His work experience included theatre production, public relations and media management. Before joining Thomas's he ran the media operation of the XVI Universiade in Sheffield, the largest multi-sports event ever held in the UK; then The Rugby World Cup in France. He joined Thomas's as Director of Administration. He is married to Samantha and has three daughters, Isobel, Alice, and Matilda at Thomas’s, Clapham. Tobyn is presently Executive Principal of Thomas's London Day Schools.
Tobyn Thomas: "I support the CAIRN Trust because children in Nepal need as much help as they can get."
Ben Thomas - Trustee
Ben was educated at Eton College, Durham University (studied English) and London University where he gained an MA in English in Education. After teaching in Lesotho, he spent two years working in corporate finance at Barings Bank in London. On joining Thomas's he was a form teacher at Clapham, then Headmaster of Thomas's, Kensington and is now Headmaster of Thomas’s, Battersea. He is married to Katie and has one son, Ivo, and two daughters, Lotte and Poppy all of whom are at Thomas’s Battersea. Ben is also an Executive Principal of Thomas's London Day Schools.
Ben Thomas: "I support the CAIRN Trust because Nepal has been a part of my family's life for as long as I can remember. As a child, I grew up attending events with the Gurkhas, who have given so much to our country. Now, by helping the children of Nepal through the CAIRN Trust, I would like to think that we can give something back to theirs."
Rachna Purdie - CEO
Rachna was born in India and educated at Kings College (studied Pharmacy-MRPharms). After a brief period in pharmacy and retail management for Boots The Chemist she joined the Operations and Marketing Team at their Head Office. She then gained further experience in project management and change management with Gemini Consulting. Rachna ran Thomas's Fulham PTA for 2 years before taking on her current position. She has two children Harry and Ria who are both at Thomas's Fulham and is married to Tarquin.
Rachna Purdie: "The zeal for education is there in Nepal, the children just need the support to make it happen. That is why I support the CAIRN Trust, because we can make that happen."
Debbie Appleby (DCha) - Director of Finance
Having trained as an accountant, Debbie became a partner at Rothman Pantall. As a stepping stone from general practice to commerce, Debbie joined the Treasurer's Department of Hampshire County Council for a period where she was a Audit Manager in the Internal Audit Department heading up the Grant Maintained and LEA schools team. Debbie joined Thomas's London Day Schools as Financial Controller and is responsible for business and charitable finance, planning and taxation.
Debbie Appleby: "I support the CAIRN Trust because I believe all children should have the opportunity to grow, develop and learn in a safe, loving and supportive environment where they can achieve their maximum potential and enjoy life, and I believe the Trust and its supporters can help to create these opportunities for children in Nepal."
