AGBIS BOARD ELECTION – 2021 CANDIDATE INFORMATION
Paul Dillon-Robinson (Current Board Member standing for re-election) Representative of School/College: Hurstpierpoint College
Personal Statement: I am a chartered accountant who has spent the majority of my career in head of internal audit roles in the public sector; both in the NHS and at the House of Commons. My particular interest has been in governance, both in its fundamental principles and the models that have developed. I currently have a small portfolio of public sector NED roles, with training and tutoring (lockdown permitting).
I have been a governor at Hurst (a Woodard school) for 9 years and am currently involved in the development of governance arrangements for a Multi-Academy Trust.
I am seeking re-election for a second term on the board, having been a member of the Training & Membership and Nominations & Governance committees, as well as involved in reviews of governance. I hope that I can provide continuity of support to the executive team as the association goes forward.
Mike Gregson (current Board member standing for re-election) Representative of School/College: The Edinburgh Academy
Personal Statement: I am currently Chair of the AGBIS Nominations and Governance Committee and am seeking re-election to the AGBIS Board. I have a life-long interest in education and recently retired as Chair of The Edinburgh Academy, a co-educational day school with over 1,000 pupils aged between 2 and 18 years. I remain connected to the school as Chair of The Edinburgh Academy Foundation and The Eric H Stevenson Charitable Trust. I have also been a trustee of a number of charities and pension funds and am currently Chair of the RSNO Pension Scheme.
I graduated from the University of Manchester with a degree in Electrical and Electronic Engineering. After spells working in industry I obtained an MBA from Manchester Business School. I then worked in the financial services sector in London and Edinburgh, latterly being heavily involved in a number of major regulatory initiatives.
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AGBIS BOARD ELECTION – 2021 CANDIDATE INFORMATION
Richard Peers (Current co-opted Board Member standing for election as Member representative) Representative of School/College: Christ Church Cathedral School
Personal Statement: My whole adult life has been spent working in schools as a Primary school teacher and later Deputy Head; school chaplain; Secondary Head in south-east London, and Executive Head of an all through school, before being Director of Education for 119 schools in the Diocese of Liverpool. In Liverpool I was the founding CEO of the Diocesan Multi Academy Trust which grew to 17 Primary and Secondary schools.
For several years I was a Trustee of the Woodard Academies Trust and worked closely with the Woodard Corporation of schools.
Currently Sub Dean at Christ Church, I am Vice Chair at our boarding prep school and take on all the day to day Chairing duties on behalf of the Dean. I am also Chair at a state primary school in the city. As well as cross phase educational expertise I have developed appropriate financial skills for large, complex organisations.
Alison Martin (Current Board Member standing for re-election) Representative of School/College: Battle Abbey School
Personal Statement: I served as Bursar to two maintained sector and two independent schools over 25 years retiring 3 years ago after which I did a couple of part-time interim roles to aid schools and colleagues local to me. I was Treasurer for the ISBA in 2010 and Chairman in 2011 and 2012 and served on their committee for 8 years. I am currently a Governor of three independent day and boarding schools, over 9 years. I am Vice Chairman for one and Chairman of Finance for another. I also serve as a Trustee (school adviser) on the CCFA. My qualifications are financial but I have significant experience of the whole range of Bursar and senior leadership roles including developing strategy, HR and Health & Safety. I have enjoyed serving and contributing on the AGBIS board and hope to continue for a further 3 years.
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AGBIS BOARD ELECTION – 2021 CANDIDATE INFORMATION
Maureen Adams Representative of School/College: Rydes Hill School
Personal Statement: I started my working life at the Bank of England, working for most of my 10 years in Staff Recruitment. I moved in to the Education sector in January 1991. Having worked for almost 10 years in the State Sector, I moved into the Independent Sector in August 2000. I was employed as Bursar and Clerk to the Governors at Reigate St Mary’s (pre-prep and prep school, Holy Trinity Convent School – senior and prep school and Rokeby School, pre-prep and prep school. During my time at Rokeby (14 years) I trained as a CTI and have undertaken ISI inspections. I served a term as a Director for the ISBA, working particularly with the Small Schools Groups. I have presented at ISBA conferences and training sessions. I became a Governor at Rydes Hill School in 2019 and sit on the Finance and Strategic committees.
Rosie Allen Representative of School/College: City of London School for Boys
Personal Statement: I am the Safeguarding Governor for City of London School for Boys and also sit as a Non-Executive Director (with responsibility for Safeguarding) on the Board of the Radnor House Schools group. My experience in independent school leadership spans all stages, having held positions as Head of a 7-11 Preparatory school and Head of a 7-18 through school, where I was part of the founding team. I am currently Head of a 3-11 Preparatory School in the West Country. I have also held governorships in the maintained sector, and served a two year term as a Non-Executive Director for an education company. I am passionate about supporting and informing effective and excellent school leadership.
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AGBIS BOARD ELECTION – 2021 CANDIDATE INFORMATION
Tom Beardmore-Gray Representative of School/College: The Cothill Trust
Personal Statement: Currently Chief Executive of a Prep Schools Group, Vice President of Council at University of Reading and Chair of Remuneration Committee, and Trustee of Prep School Baccalaureate (PSB). Formerly Chief Financial Officer of The Girls Day School Trust (GDST), Director of GDST Academy Trust, Chairman of Governors at Lambrook Prep School in Berkshire. Chartered accountant with over 20 years of business experience with Price Waterhouse, Pepsi Cola and De Beers. Director of various De Beers subsidiaries in Canada, India and the Far East. Extensive experience of financial management in schools, school mergers and acquisitions, governance of a group of schools and the prep school sector.
Jonathan Carroll Representative of School/College: Abingdon School
Personal Statement: I have been a Governor in both Prep and Senior Schools for the last eleven years, encompassing single sex and co-ed, day and boarding settings, sitting mainly on the Education sub- committees, as well as the Full Board. In addition, I was Headmaster of a Prep School for 18 years. I believe I would bring a wealth of experience and knowledge to the AGBIS Board, fulfilling their specific requirements to have Board Members with both Prep school experience and Governor expertise across a wide variety of organisations. My passion has always been providing the best educational environment for pupils in our care. I have continued to work in education as the Director of Education for the Pre-Senior Baccalaureate, providing a framework for skills-based learning in Prep schools all over the country. I provide advice, training opportunities and introduce new educational initiatives while managing consistency, process and procedures.
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AGBIS BOARD ELECTION – 2021 CANDIDATE INFORMATION
Sam Coutinho Representative of School/College: Plymouth College
Personal Statement: I qualified as an accountant in the corporate sector in 1996 and very soon after realised that I was destined to develop my career in the charity and education sectors. For 22 years I provided internal and external audit, and advisory services to independent schools and now provide risk and governance advice to the education sector and a wide range of charities including membership organisations. I also hold a risk qualification. My interest in governance and risk started at Crowe UK and was further developed as Head of Education at Haysmacintyre. I have been a governor for almost 20 years. I am currently a governor at Plymouth College, St Ignatius College and a member of the Ivy Learning Multi Academy Trust. All these roles have given me tremendous insight into the governance and risk challenges facing governors. Recently I have started supporting schools in developing their diversity and inclusion strategy.
Elizabeth Garner Representative of School/College: Truro School
Personal Statement: As a lifetime educationalist the buzz of being involved in schools and school development has never dimmed. I have worked in three preparatory schools, two as Head (Perse Girls Junior School, Cambridge, 2003 – 2006, Forest Preparatory School, E17, 2006 – 2012). Whilst a Head I served as a Governor at Fairstead House, Newmarket, 2005 – 2014; and then post Headship, as Governor at Ipswich School (2012 – 2020), and since 2013 at Truro School. There I am Joint Vice-Chair, Chair of the Education Committee, a member of the Governance and Nominations Committee and have the privilege to be the Nominated Staff Liaison Governor. In addition to leadership particular strengths are evolving vision and strategy which becomes the heartbeat of the school; instilling an ambition in all to always aspire to do better; and, communication. I am a proactive member of IAPS and for 10 years was an ISI Inspector.
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AGBIS BOARD ELECTION – 2021 CANDIDATE INFORMATION
Vernon Hales Representative of School/College: St Joseph's in the Park
Personal Statement: I retire from my current post in August 2021, after eighteen years as Head at Aldwickbury, preceded by ten years as Deputy Head in two schools. I have ten years’ experience as a governor, currently serving on two boards; St Joseph’s in the Park and St Martin’s, Northwood. I was a member of the IAPS Sports Committee for ten years, representing IAPS views with the RFU.
I am keen to use and develop my broad prep school experience as I move to the next stage of my life. My commitment to high quality prep school education is strong; I understand that good governance is crucial in supporting school leaders to achieve this. As a Head, I work closely with my governors, and as a governor, I am available as a critical friend supporting the Head. Relationships between governors and school leaders are essential in the increasingly complex independent education sector.
John Hind Representative of School/College: Pocklington School
Personal Statement: I have taught in independent schools across the country (Devon, Durham and Surrey) for forty years, culminating in 16 years as Principal of Dame Allan’s Schools in Newcastle- upon-Tyne from which I retired in September 2020. Trained as a secondary history teacher, my work at Dame Allan’s (a ‘diamond school’ of approx. 1100 pupils aged 3-18) gave me some experience of education in Early Years and Key Stages 1 and 2, as well as the management of both girls’ and boys’ schools. I also attended all governing body and sub-committee meetings.
I have been a governor of Pocklington School since September 2016 and have served on the education committee throughout that time and was part of the panel which appointed a new headteacher in 2018.
I am an associate member of the Association of Educational Advisors which provides insight into generic governance issues and in matters specific to the maintained sector.
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AGBIS BOARD ELECTION – 2021 CANDIDATE INFORMATION
James Hodgson Representative of School/College: Aldwickbury School
Personal Statement: I have worked in Independent Education for most of my life, having started out as an accountant with Ernst and Young, and am currently in my seventh year as Head Master of Bedford School, a large (1100 boys) 7-18 boarding and day school. I lead both Prep and Upper, delegating the daily running of the Prep to a Prep Headmaster on my team. I am currently a Governor of two prep schools, having previously been a governor at two other schools (one prep, one senior). As Senior Deputy at Magdalen College School I had experience of a Governing Body with links to an Oxford College; and at Bedford, our own Governors report to an overarching Harpur Trust Board – both are complex organisations. I have loved every single day of my teaching (and governance!) career and hope that I might bring plenty of useful experience to this role.
Irfan Latif Representative of School/College: Greenfield School
Personal Statement: I am currently the Principal of DLD College London and I am the Safeguarding Governor at Greenfield School where I also sit on the Education Committee. I have been in various leadership positions in the independent sector and have served as a Governor at numerous schools throughout my career, supporting leadership teams. My first headship was at Sexey’s School where I also served as a Governor of the local primary school. I have been the Chairman of the State Boarding Schools' Forum, the Vice Chair of the BSA and currently serve as it’s London Chair. I sit on the Executive Committee of the BSA as the Inclusion and Diversity representative and I am a co-founder of the ISC’s Inclusion and Diversity Group. I am the trustee of various charities and used to sit on the Board of Education at the Diocese of Bath & Wells and that of AEGIS.
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AGBIS BOARD ELECTION – 2021 CANDIDATE INFORMATION
Matthew Lovett Representative of School/College: Blundell's School
Personal Statement: • Education Consultant with 19 years headship experience at 3 different prep schools in London and the South West, including SLT membership of their associated senior schools and overseeing pre-prep and nursery provision from age six months up. • IAPS Council (board) member 2012 to 2015 • IAPS District (West) Chairman 2010 to 2015 supporting heads across a broad range of prep schools. • ISI Reporting Inspector since June 2018 having been a TI from 2001; with a particular focus on prep and junior schools. • Consultant to the Methodist Independent Schools Trust, working alongside trustees (in working parties) and facilitating regular meetings of MIST prep and junior heads. • Governor at Blundell’s School sitting on the governance and prep school sub-committees with particular responsibilities for Early Years and boarding. • Leadership trainer / course director (Grapevine Education Ltd) delivering courses to aspiring leaders in schools across the South West.
Ann Lyon Representative of School/College: Welbeck Defence Sixth Form College
Personal Statement: • Governor, Welbeck DSFC since 2014 - unique STEM-based boarding sixth-form college preparing students for engineer careers in Armed Forces o Role involves both ‘ordinary’ boarding school governance and meeting needs of MOD o As sole legally-qualified Governor I am particularly involved in disciplinary and grievance matters • 25 years as Lecturer in Law in 3 different universities, including: o 10 years as Course Leader, Graduate Diploma in Law. This is a ‘conversion course’ for non-law graduates, taking them to the same level as LLB graduates for the purpose of training as solicitors or barristers, and so involved regular liaison with the requisite professional bodies. In this period the course was remodelled twice at the direction of the university, and I had therefore to ensure that the requirements of the professional bodies were met o Membership of university Senate o Sitting on student disciplinary panels o Advising on Employment Law
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AGBIS BOARD ELECTION – 2021 CANDIDATE INFORMATION
Andrew Merriman Representative of School/College: Royal Russell School
Personal Statement: I have been a Governor of the Royal Russell School for 15 years, the last three as Chair. I am a Chartered Accountant, so I have a broad finance focus with a particular interest in pensions (Trustee of a DB scheme) and rates (my 'day job' in retail makes this necessary), current and future issues for all Schools. My main contribution has been to the Finance Committee to ensure a robust strategy is in place and chaired the Education and Welfare Committee. The school has flourished and the Board has put in place good Governance. I am keen to volunteer to chair training seminars held by AGBIS as this will help my own development, and I would want to play a full role in AGBIS. My wife works in an independent school, and I and our three sons attended Tonbridge School, so we are fully committed to the AGBIS aims.
David Stephens Representative of School/College: Rowan Prep School
Personal Statement: Passionate about independent schools as a force for good. Keen to contribute my skills, experience and broad network to AGBIS to help independent schools flourish and retain the UK's reputation for pre-eminence in independent education (despite the ongoing challenges which our schools face from politicians and pandemics).
A chartered accountant, and CFO with 20+ years board and governance experience across many sectors and organisations, I have always retained a passion for independent schools. I have been pupil, parent, governor and adviser to several prep and senior schools. I advise schools on Bursar recruitment and bring additional charity governance experience through educational charities Teach First, First Story and The British & Foreign Schools Society.
Hoping to foster and encourage knowledge sharing, networking and collaboration within the AGBIS schools network, and also build bridges with other thought leaders and political decision makers within the broader educational landscape, both in UK and internationally.
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AGBIS BOARD ELECTION – 2021 CANDIDATE INFORMATION
David Stevens Representative of School/College: Warwick Independent Schools Foundation
Personal Statement: During twelve years as Chair of Warwick Independent Schools Foundation, I have led governors through great change. This has significantly strengthened both Warwick and King’s High - schools which educate 2,500 children between the ages of 3 and 18 in two single- sex senior schools and two junior schools. These changes include: a major governance review (reducing from 30 to 18 governors); reorganising reporting relationships (Prep is now part of King’s High); completing a £43.5m project to relocate King’s High and create a shared Foundation campus; exchanging contracts to merge with a neighbouring school and appointing our first Principal (developing the Foundation as one organisation whilst maintaining each school’s identity).
Before retiring, I handled major national franchising changes for Jaguar. I believe my business and educational experience and my enthusiasm would be useful to AGBIS and its members at a time of significant consolidation within the independent education sector.
Julian Whiteley Representative of School/College: Mount Kelly Foundation
Personal Statement: I began my career in the Royal Navy. I then taught at Rugby and Sherborne before becoming Deputy Head of St Paul’s School, Brazil. Following an MBA, I was appointed Head of Taunton School and then ventured overseas again to be Head and CEO of the United World College of South East Asia in Singapore, a two-campus international school with 5,500 pupils, aged 3-18, from over 90 nationalities.
I am now based in Devon and work as a consultant with RSAcademics advising, on all aspects of organisation and leadership development including Board training and the appointment, appraisal and coaching of Heads.
I also have the privilege of serving on the Board of Mount Kelly, chairing the Advisory Board of Teacher Horizons (a recruitment company) and sitting on the Advisory Board of the Global Schools Foundation, a group of 17 schools. I have been on two other school boards.
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