The Board of Governors

Meet the Board of Governors

Bringing Professional Experience and Skills

The Governors have an important strategic role to play in the management of RGS Worcester, and they also act as Trustees of the Charity and Directors of the Company. Their role is to ensure the Heads of the four Schools and the staff provide the best possible education for the pupils. Governors bring their professional experience, life skills and common sense to this task. To read their response to the Charity Commission Code please click the link.

About our Governors

At RGS Worcester, the Board of Governors includes individuals with a diverse range of skills representing many different professions. They work as a team, and their sole interest lies in continuing to improve the educational provision at RGS.

There is one Board of Governors overseeing the RGS family of schools. The full Board meets once each term, with sub-committees meeting more frequently to conduct Governors’ business with the Schools. Governors visit the four schools as frequently as they can, and they often have specific areas of responsibility to oversee aspects of each school’s provision.

The Chairman of Governors’ contact address is: c/o The Clerk to the Governors, RGS Worcester, Upper Tything, Worcester, WR1 1HP.

Email: bursary@rgsw.org.uk

The Board of Governors

	Mr Andrew Greenway - Chair of Governors Andrew Greenway was appointed Chair of Governors in December 2023. He joined the Board of Governors in 2015 and served as Chair of the Education Committee as well as on a number of other Governors’ Committees, bringing his wealth of knowledge and experience. Andrew has also been Chair of the RGSW & AOS Foundation. He has made a very significant contribution as a Governor and Trustee to the four RGS Schools. In his career, Andrew was a Managing Director of Accenture, a large global firm specialising in consulting, outsourcing and technology. He worked across the world and developed deep expertise in the following areas across multiple industries: managing large teams and large budgets; programme and project management; re-engineering key business processes; designing and implementing complex organisational changes; helping clients solve challenging business problems; IT and Cloud computing; sales and marketing; logistics and manufacturing. He brings this wide range of skills to the Board, now as Chair. Andrew and his wife, Catherine have four children who were all educated at RGS Worcester and enjoyed their time at the School. Andrew and Catherine live in Worcester and are fully engaged with the Worcestershire community. Andrew is a Presiding Judge on the Worcestershire magistrates bench, he serves as a volunteer with the Worcestershire Youth Justice service and is also a member of Worcester Rowing Club and Worcester St John’s Cycling Club.
	Mrs Rosemary Ham - Vice-Chair of Governors and Chair of the Nominations Committee Rosemary Ham has a background in teaching and educational publishing: she is a former Head of English and worked for OFSTED, inspecting both Senior and Junior schools. She has a degree in French and Drama from Bristol University and an MSc in Educational Management. A former Vice Chairman and Director of The English Speaking Board, she edited the journal “Speaking English”.
	Mr Stephen Flutter - Chair of the Education Committee After a brief spell in scientific research, Stephen’s subsequent career has been in education. Having completed an Honours BEd degree at the University of Sussex, he held Science teaching posts in Comprehensive Schools in Sussex. This was followed by 40 years in the Independent Sector, including Preparatory School roles as Head of Science, Deputy Headmaster and Headmaster, becoming a member of the IAPS during this time. After retiring from Headship, Stephen returned to teaching Science at Senior School level at Battle Abbey School on the South Coast, and over the past three years has enjoyed assisting in Science classes at RGS The Grange. Stephen has three daughters and six grandchildren, two of whom are currently attending RGS Schools. Stephen is a strong believer in the importance of schools which offer a broad range of subjects and opportunities, not least in the Arts and in preparing pupils for a fulfilling adult life.
	Mr Howard Kimberley - Chair of the Finance and General Purposes Committee, and Chair of the IT Steering Group Howard Kimberley (BA FCA) is Chief Executive of an international group of aerospace manufacturing businesses. He has held various senior management positions in multinational companies since qualifying with the largest firm of chartered accountants in the world, including 10 years as finance director of a public company. Howard is a former pupil of RGS Worcester.
	Mrs Lesley Cook - RGS Worcester Staff Liaison and SEN/Learning Development Lesley Cook was Chief Executive of The English Speaking Board for 6 years, with regular liaison with the educational regulator, OFQUAL, for syllabus and curriculum development. Her commercial and educational experience in schools, colleges and industry includes external examining in primary and secondary education, as well as of adults from all walks of life. She is a graduate historian, whose early career was as an Air Traffic Control Officer in the Royal Air Force.
	Mrs Sally Mills - Governor in charge of Safeguarding Sally Mills has extensive experience working with children from early years through to young teens having taught in First, Primary and Middle Schools in both the maintained and independent sectors for more than 40 years. She obtained a BEd. (Hons.) degree in English and Education from Liverpool University and subsequently an advanced diploma in Special Educational Needs from the Open University. Sally began her teaching career in North West London and moved to Worcestershire in 1978 to continue her career working for 7 years as Head of English and Special Needs and then moving on to Deputy Head and eventually Head Teacher of a 9 – 13 Middle School, having obtained the National Professional Qualification for Headship. For the past eight years, she has been working for the Local Authority supporting schools and colleges across Worcestershire in safeguarding children and child protection and has undertaken many courses to support this role. She is now an independent safeguarding consultant, continuing to work with the education sector.
	Mr Nick Fairlie - Governor Nick Fairlie (BSc, FRICS) is a Fellow of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors. Formerly a Partner of GVA, an international firm of property consultants, he subsequently founded and was managing director of a UK wide property company specialising in commercial property investment and development. He has recently founded and is sole director of his own Property Consultancy Company. Nick is a qualified rugby coach and three of his four children are former pupils of RGS.
	Mr Bryan Radford-Governor Bryan Radford (BSc FIA FSA) is an actuary with multi-national experience in pensions and other employee benefits. Bryan is a member of the pensions panel of the CBI and currently works for a major CAC40 firm but prior to that was Principle and Senior Consulting Actuary with an international firm of actuaries. Both his daughters have attended the School, progressing through both RGS The Grange and RGS Springfield before moving onto the senior school. Bryan is a qualified rugby union referee but is quick to point out being qualified doesn’t mean he is good.
	Dr Emma Robinson-Governor Emma Robinson has extensive experience in education and research management in the higher education sector. Following a PhD in Molecular Biology and an early research career in academia and industry, she has over 20 years’ experience in higher education management and leadership in a large and complex Russell Group University. She brings significant experience of developing academic strategy and translating this into successful operational delivery, with detailed knowledge across all core professional service functions, and most significantly as related to optimising education and student support service delivery. She has a passion for education, which is particularly applicable through the broad remit of her current senior leadership role, where she encourages everyone to place students at the heart of all activity.
	Ms Kay Meredith - Governor Kay Meredith joined the Board of Governors in June 2010. Her association with RGS dates back to her time as a pupil of The Alice Ottley School. Kay brings to the Board professional expertise in the area of Human Resources, where she has over 20 years’ experience gained in a variety of organisations, including FTSE 100, the Civil Service and privately owned businesses. Before working in HR, Kay taught Latin and Classical Civilisation in a north London comprehensive.
	Mrs Rachel Wyatt - RGS The Grange and RGS Springfield Staff Liaison and EYFS Rachel Wyatt has a background in early years and is passionate about the education and care of young children. During a 30 year career, Rachel worked in pre-schools and nurseries and then as an early years development worker and tutor. She was an Ofsted inspector for 16 years until her retirement in 2017. Rachel is a former pupil of the Alice Ottley School and has another connection with RGS because her family’s construction company built Perrins Hall and Cobham Hall.
	Mrs Katie Wormington - RGS Dodderhill Staff Liaison Katie Wormington has been a governor of Dodderhill School for the past six years and her three children are former pupils of both Dodderhill and RGS The Grange. After formal training in agriculture, she has spent the past thirty years as an integral member of the family business that manages over 1500 Acres in Worcestershire and Wiltshire, with arable, livestock and forestry enterprises, let properties and conservation projects. Due to needing both transferable skills and the confidence to work in a male-dominated industry, Katie is passionate about the importance of giving all pupils the skills to tackle and succeed in whatever career they wish to take.
	Mrs Jane Cross - Governor Jane Cross (BSc ALCM, FCA)is a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales. After training with EY, she has followed a career in financial services. She is Chief Operating Officer for a Financial Services business and specialises in risk management, governance and regulatory compliance, Human Resources, and IT. Prior to this, she was Managing Director of e-surv Chartered Surveyors, having previously been CEO of Personal Touch Financial Services group, which followed on from several Finance Director appointments. Her son is a former RGS The Grange and RGS Worcester pupil and her daughter a former RGS Dodderhill pupil. Jane has a keen interest in classical music and regularly plays her flute with a small music group.
	Dr Naveen Canchi-Murali - Governor Dr Naveen Canchi-Murali (MBBS, MD, FRCA) is a fellow of the Royal College of Anaesthetists and is a Consultant Paediatric Anaesthetist at Birmingham Children’s Hospital. He has a combined experience of over 20 years working as a medical professional. Naveen enjoys his role as an educational supervisor for trainees and specialises in organising and delivering multi-speciality care for children with complex medical conditions. Teaching has always been his core interest and is demonstrated through his work as an examiner, simulation instructor, recovery lead and volunteer in international charity missions
	Mrs Nicky Parry - Governor Nicky Parry’s background is in Marketing, with a particular focus on the customer. After graduating in Economics, she joined Cadbury before moving to a leading global market research agency, specialising in advertising effectiveness, communication and brand equity research. She later became a freelance market research consultant. Nicky then continued to focus on her main interest of working with people, ranging from direct sales to volunteering for MacMillan Cancer at The Worcester Royal. She is now retired. As a new governor, she is looking forward to continuing her connection with RGS Worcester, which began when her son started at the age of 8. Her daughter also joined the school in the sixth form. Nicky was a member of the parents’ association for a number of years, helping to fundraise, organise social events and run the second hand uniform shop. She also took on the role of chairman.
	Mr Gary Rouse - Governor Gary joined the Board of Governors in April 2024. His association with RGS dates back to his time as a pupil at RGS. He is also a trustee for The RGSW & AOS Foundation. Both his daughters were at RGS The Grange and more recently RGS Worcester. Gary brings with him more than 25 years of experience in providing strategic support to various types of businesses, their owners and directors. He is currently a partner at Cooper Parry and previously spent over 20 years at BDO.
	Mr Tim Curtis - Governor Tim Curtis has a dual background in teaching and professional sport, having been lucky enough to combine playing cricket for Worcestershire with his early career as a teacher of English at RGS Worcester. His career in cricket included captaining the county side as well as Chairing the Professional Cricketers’ Association. On his retirement from playing cricket, he took up a full time position teaching English at RGS, as well as taking on the role of Director of Sport. Tim’s association with the School predated his teaching as he had been a pupil at RGS himself. From there, he went to Durham University to study English Literature and followed this by studying for a PGCE at Cambridge. His own three children have also now passed through the School. And this association with RGS has developed further since his retirement from teaching as he has been a trustee, and is currently Chair, of the RGS and AOS Foundation.
	Mr Mark Beardmore - Governor Mark joined the Board of Governors in June 2024 after retiring as Senior Office Partner of the Birmingham office of global law firm Eversheds Sutherland. Mark has 30 years experience of being a trusted legal adviser to global and national corporate clients. Mark is a trustee of Lifespace which is a charity that supports the wellbeing of 7 to 19 year olds with mentoring and group activities. Both of Mark’s sons attended RGS The Grange and RGS Worcester. Mark is passionate about football and cricket and is a keen marathon runner, having run over 60 marathons around the world and has a target of getting to 100 over the next few years.
	Mr Ben Edwards, Director of Finance and Operations Ben joined RGS Worcester in February 2023 as DFO and Clerk to the Governors. Prior to working in the independent schools’ sector Ben forged a career in the RAF, holding various roles at strategic level that included Estate Management and Project Management. After leaving the Service, Ben was appointed Deputy Bursar at Concord College, Shropshire and, latterly, was the Bursar at Berkhampstead School in Cheltenham.

Mr Andrew Greenway – Chair of Governors
Andrew Greenway has recently been a Managing Director with Accenture, a large global firm specialising in consulting, outsourcing and technology. He has deep expertise in the following across multiple industries: Managing large teams and large budgets; programme and project management; re-engineering key business processes; designing and implementing complex organisational changes; helping clients to solve a tough business problem; IT and Cloud Computing; sales and marketing; logistics and manufacturing. Andrew is a Magistrate on the Worcestershire bench and a member of both Worcester Rowing Club and Worcester St Johns Cycling Club. He has four children who were all educated at RGS Worcester and brings both parental and high performing organisational perspectives to the RGS Board of Governors.

Mrs Rosemary Ham – Vice-Chair of Governors and Chair of the Nominations Committee
Rosemary Ham has a background in teaching and educational publishing: she is a former Head of English and worked for OFSTED, inspecting both Senior and Junior schools. She has a degree in French and Drama from Bristol University and an MSc in Educational Management. A former Vice Chairman and Director of The English Speaking Board, she edited the journal “Speaking English”.

Mr Stephen Flutter – Chair of the Education Committee
After a brief spell in scientific research, Stephen’s subsequent career has been in education. Having completed an Honours BEd degree at the University of Sussex, he held Science teaching posts in Comprehensive Schools in Sussex. This was followed by 40 years in the Independent Sector, including Preparatory School roles as Head of Science, Deputy Headmaster and Headmaster, becoming a member of the IAPS during this time. After retiring from Headship, Stephen returned to teaching Science at Senior School level at Battle Abbey School on the South Coast, and over the past three years has enjoyed assisting in Science classes at RGS The Grange. Stephen has three daughters and six grandchildren, two of whom are currently attending RGS Schools. Stephen is a strong believer in the importance of schools which offer a broad range of subjects and opportunities, not least in the Arts and in preparing pupils for a fulfilling adult life.

Mr Howard Kimberley – Chair of the Finance and General Purposes Committee, and Chair of the IT Steering Group
Howard Kimberley (BA FCA) is Chief Executive of an international group of aerospace manufacturing businesses. He has held various senior management positions in multinational companies since qualifying with the largest firm of chartered accountants in the world, including 10 years as finance director of a public company. Howard is a former pupil of RGS Worcester.

Mrs Lesley Cook – RGS Worcester Staff Liaison and SEN/Learning Development
Lesley Cook was Chief Executive of The English Speaking Board for 6 years, with regular liaison with the educational regulator, OFQUAL, for syllabus and curriculum development. Her commercial and educational experience in schools, colleges and industry includes external examining in primary and secondary education, as well as of adults from all walks of life. She is a graduate historian, whose early career was as an Air Traffic Control Officer in the Royal Air Force.

Mrs Sally Mills – Governor in charge of Safeguarding
Sally Mills has extensive experience working with children from early years through to young teens having taught in First, Primary and Middle Schools in both the maintained and independent sectors for more than 40 years. She obtained a BEd. (Hons.) degree in English and Education from Liverpool University and subsequently an advanced diploma in Special Educational Needs from the Open University. Sally began her teaching career in North West London and moved to Worcestershire in 1978 to continue her career working for 7 years as Head of English and Special Needs and then moving on to Deputy Head and eventually Head Teacher of a 9 – 13 Middle School, having obtained the National Professional Qualification for Headship. For the past eight years, she has been working for the Local Authority supporting schools and colleges across Worcestershire in safeguarding children and child protection and has undertaken many courses to support this role. She is now an independent safeguarding consultant, continuing to work with the education sector.

Mr Nick Fairlie – Governor
Nick Fairlie (BSc, FRICS) is a Fellow of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors. Formerly a Partner of GVA, an international firm of property consultants, he subsequently founded and was managing director of a UK wide property company specialising in commercial property investment and development. He has recently founded and is sole director of his own Property Consultancy Company. Nick is a qualified rugby coach and three of his four children are former pupils of RGS.

Mr Bryan Radford-Governor
Bryan Radford (BSc FIA FSA) is an actuary with multi-national experience in pensions and other employee benefits. Bryan is a member of the pensions panel of the CBI and currently works for a major CAC40 firm but prior to that was Principle and Senior Consulting Actuary with an international firm of actuaries. Both his daughters have attended the School, progressing through both RGS The Grange and RGS Springfield before moving onto the senior school. Bryan is a qualified rugby union referee but is quick to point out being qualified doesn’t mean he is good.

Dr Emma Robinson-Governor
Emma Robinson is the Academic Registrar at the University of Birmingham and is responsible for the leadership of the Professional Services teams that together support the student and academic experience across the University. This includes the teams in Academic Services (including Student Services; Registry & Academic Affairs; Library Services; Careers Network; Innovation & Development; and the Birmingham International Academy) and the diverse teams across the University’s five academic Colleges. Emma also plays a pivotal role in the University’s response to the external environment, contributing to the development and implementation of academic-facing policy, and linking this policy to enhanced service delivery.

Emma originally qualified with a BSc (Hons) in Biological Sciences and a PhD in Molecular Microbiology from the University of Durham. Her subsequent career, following initial postdoctoral academic research and teaching, includes appointments in scientific and research management roles in the Biotech industry and for the Medical Research Council (MRC) in Oxford, which confirmed her move out of the laboratory into academic management. Subsequently, she has nearly 20 years’ experience in higher education management through various roles at the University of Birmingham, progressing from specialist research management to the broad remit of her current role, where students are put at the heart of all activity.

Ms Kay Meredith – Governor
Kay Meredith joined the Board of Governors in June 2010. Her association with RGS dates back to her time as a pupil of The Alice Ottley School. Kay brings to the Board professional expertise in the area of Human Resources, where she has over 20 years’ experience gained in a variety of organisations, including FTSE 100, the Civil Service and privately owned businesses. Before working in HR, Kay taught Latin and Classical Civilisation in a north London comprehensive.

Mrs Rachel Wyatt – RGS The Grange and RGS Springfield Staff Liaison and EYFS
Rachel Wyatt has a background in early years and is passionate about the education and care of young children. During a 30 year career, Rachel worked in pre-schools and nurseries and then as an early years development worker and tutor. She was an Ofsted inspector for 16 years until her retirement in 2017. Rachel is a former pupil of the Alice Ottley School and has another connection with RGS because her family’s construction company built Perrins Hall and Cobham Hall.

Mrs Katie Wormington – RGS Dodderhill Staff Liaison
Katie Wormington has been a governor of Dodderhill School for the past six years and her three children are former pupils of both Dodderhill and RGS The Grange. After formal training in agriculture, she has spent the past thirty years as an integral member of the family business that manages over 1500 Acres in Worcestershire and Wiltshire, with arable, livestock and forestry enterprises, let properties and conservation projects. Due to needing both transferable skills and the confidence to work in a male-dominated industry, Katie is passionate about the importance of giving all pupils the skills to tackle and succeed in whatever career they wish to take.

Mrs Jane Cross – Governor
Jane Cross (BSc ALCM, FCA) is a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales. After training with EY, she has followed a career in financial services. She is the Chief Risk Officer for the Financial Services Division of a plc and specialises in risk management, governance and regulatory compliance. Prior to this, she was CEO of Personal Touch Financial Services group following on from several Finance Director appointments. Her son is a former RGS The Grange and RGS Worcester pupil and her daughter a former RGS Dodderhill pupil. Jane has a keen interest in classical music and regularly plays her flute with a small music group, she is also Treasurer for Girl Guiding in Droitwich.

Mr Stephen Flutter – CCF Liaison Governor
After a brief spell in scientific research, Stephen’s subsequent career has been in education. Having completed an Honours BEd degree at the University of Sussex, he held Science teaching posts in Comprehensive Schools in Sussex. This was followed by 40 years in the Independent Sector, including Preparatory School roles as Head of Science, Deputy Headmaster and Headmaster, becoming a member of the IAPS during this time. After retiring from Headship, Stephen returned to teaching Science at Senior School level at Battle Abbey School on the South Coast, and over the past three years has enjoyed assisting in Science classes at RGS The Grange. Stephen has three daughters and six grandchildren, two of whom are currently attending RGS Schools. Stephen is a strong believer in the importance of schools which offer a broad range of subjects and opportunities, not least in the Arts and in preparing pupils for a fulfilling adult life.

Dr Naveen Canchi-Murali – Governor
Dr Naveen Canchi-Murali (MBBS, MD, FRCA) is a fellow of the Royal College of Anaesthetists and is a Consultant Paediatric Anaesthetist at Birmingham Children’s Hospital. He has a combined experience of over 20 years working as a medical professional. Naveen enjoys his role as an educational supervisor for trainees and specialises in organising and delivering multi-speciality care for children with complex medical conditions. Teaching has always been his core interest and is demonstrated through his work as an examiner, simulation instructor, recovery lead and volunteer in international charity missions.

Mr Ben Edwards, Director of Finance and Operations
Ben joined RGS Worcester in February 2023 as DFO and Clerk to the Governors. Prior to working in the independent schools’ sector Ben forged a career in the RAF, holding various roles at strategic level that included Estate Management and Project Management. After leaving the Service, Ben was appointed Deputy Bursar at Concord College, Shropshire and, latterly, was the Bursar at Berkhampstead School in Cheltenham.

Mr Quentin Poole – Chair of Governors
Quentin Poole has held the most senior leadership roles at global law firm Gowling WLG over the last 20 years. He currently leads the firm’s international business as Head of International Projects, which involves working with and developing the firm’s numerous international offices and global relationships. He is one of the principal architects of the firm’s people strategy which has won it many awards for its empowering approach to motivating people at all levels in the firm. It is one of only two organisations included in the Top 50 rankings of the Great Place to Work Institute’s listings every year for the last 15 years. He has been a governor for more than 10 years, latterly as Vice Chair.

Dr Emma Robinson-Governor
Emma Robinson has extensive experience in education and research management in the higher education sector. Following a PhD in Molecular Biology and an early research career in academia and industry, she has over 20 years’ experience in higher education management and leadership in a large and complex Russell Group University. She brings significant experience of developing academic strategy and translating this into successful operational delivery, with detailed knowledge across all core professional service functions, and most significantly as related to optimising education and student support service delivery. She has a passion for education, which is particularly applicable through the broad remit of her current senior leadership role, where she encourages everyone to place students at the heart of all activity.

Mrs Nicky Parry, Governor

Nicky Parry’s background is in Marketing, with a particular focus on the customer. After graduating in Economics, she joined Cadbury before moving to a leading global market research agency, specialising in advertising effectiveness, communication and brand equity research. She later became a freelance market research consultant.

Nicky then continued to focus on her main interest of working with people, ranging from direct sales to volunteering for MacMillan Cancer at The Worcester Royal. She is now retired.

As a new governor, she is looking forward to continuing her connection with RGS Worcester, which began when her son started at the age of 8. Her daughter also joined the school in the sixth form. Nicky was a member of the parents’ association for a number of years, helping to fundraise, organise social events and run the second hand uniform shop. She also took on the role of chairman.

Mr Gary Rouse, Governor

Gary joined the Board of Governors in April 2024. His association with RGS dates back to his time as a pupil at RGS. He is also a trustee for The RGSW & AOS Foundation. Both his daughters were at RGS The Grange and more recently RGS Worcester. Gary brings with him more than 25 years of experience in providing strategic support to various types of businesses, their owners and directors. He is currently a partner at Cooper Parry and previously spent over 20 years at BDO.

Mr Tim Curtis, Governor

Tim Curtis has a dual background in teaching and professional sport, having been lucky enough to combine playing cricket for Worcestershire with his early career as a teacher of English at RGS Worcester. His career in cricket included captaining the county side as well as Chairing the Professional Cricketers’ Association. On his retirement from playing cricket, he took up a full time position teaching English at RGS, as well as taking on the role of Director of Sport.

Tim’s association with the School predated his teaching as he had been a pupil at RGS himself. From there, he went to Durham University to study English Literature and followed this by studying for a PGCE at Cambridge. His own three children have also now passed through the School. And this association with RGS has developed further since his retirement from teaching as he has been a trustee, and is currently Chair, of the RGS and AOS Foundation.

Mr Mark Beardmore, Governor

Mark joined the Board of Governors in June 2024 after retiring as Senior Office Partner of the Birmingham office of global law firm Eversheds Sutherland. Mark has 30 years experience of being a trusted legal adviser to global and national corporate clients.

Mark is a trustee of Lifespace which is a charity that supports the wellbeing of 7 to 19 year olds with mentoring and group activities. Both of Mark’s sons attended RGS The Grange and RGS Worcester. Mark is passionate about football and cricket and is a keen marathon runner, having run over 60 marathons around the world and has a target of getting to 100 over the next few years.