Meet Our Trustees
Our Healthy Eating Champions

Akemi Yokoyama
Akemi Yokoyama is a Japanese chef, presenter and culinary educator. Akemi demonstrates Japanese cooking in the UK at various diverse events and regularly works with the Japanese government’s related organisations promoting Japanese ingredients and cuisine to the media and public. The Montessori Group and Akemi remain committed to promoting the importance of good nutrition and a healthy diet for children and young people at every opportunity.

Annabel Karmel
Annabel Karmel is a renowned cookery author and advocate of good nutrition and a healthy diet in early years. As an established cookery author with 30 years’ experience in weaning babies, as well as feeding children and families, Annabel brings extensive expertise and unique insight to families and early years educators looking to give children the best start in life.

Chantelle Nicholson
Chantelle Nicholson is a multi-award winning chef, restaurateur and author. As an advocate for seasonality and sustainability, Chantelle champions veg-forward cooking through both her restaurants and her cookbook, Planted. Originally from New Zealand, and a trained lawyer, Chantelle is committed to creating a more sustainable future across her operations and activities, whilst also being an independent board member for ReLondon – moving London towards a more circular economy, and a member of City Harvest’s Food Council.
Our Ambassadors

Sarah Ferguson, Duchess of York
Chair of the International Montessori Ambassadors
The Montessori Group welcomes Sarah Ferguson, Duchess of York, as the Chair of the International Montessori Ambassadors group. The appointment of the Duchess of York as Chair follows her philanthropic work with families and commitment to supporting a wide range of children’s charities throughout her life. She is a strong advocate for the Montessori approach, with her daughter Princess Eugenie beginning her education at a Montessori nursery in Windsor in 1992.