Governance and Our Governors
Governance
The Board of Governors meets approximately six times a year and holds ultimate control of and responsibility for the strategic direction and management of the Foundation, including:
ensuring the Foundation acts in accordance with its Articles of Association
education, caring for, safeguarding and promoting the wellbeing of young people and vulnerable adults
ensuring compliance with inspection regimes and regulatory requirements
managing the Foundation’s activities in furtherance of its charitable objects
The Governors have formed five committees which meet at least three times per year: Care; Education; Finance, Audit and Resources (FAR); Compliance and Risk; Governance, Nominations and Remuneration. In addition there are Sub Committees for Property and Investment, which report direct to the FAR Committee.
The key responsibilities of each Committee are outlined below.
Care Committee
The Care Committee reviews and recommends Seckford Care’s strategic plans to the Governing Body; ensures that the necessary structures are in place to deliver the agreed Seckford Care strategy; ensures the performance of Seckford Care; and in conjunction with the Compliance and Risk Committee ensures that Seckford Care complies with all legal and regulatory requirements.
Finance, Audit and Resources Committee
The Finance, Audit and Resources Committee’s role is to advise the Governors on the use of all the Foundation’s assets, resources and investments and ensure financial and other strategies are in place for the best use of these resources.
Property Sub Committee
Under the direction of the FAR Committee, this sub-committee develops and oversees the Foundation’s estates strategy and any master plans, and suggests any modifications to these to the relevant Committee or the Board of Governors.
Investment Sub Committee
The Investment Sub Committee reports to the FAR Committee, and exists to oversee the performance of the Foundation’s investments.
Education Committee
This Committee’s key responsibilities are to monitor, review and evidence the delivery and development of Woodbridge School’s academic, co-curricular and pastoral provision against agreed objectives and through ongoing challenge and support of senior leaders.
Compliance and Risk Committee
The Compliance and Risk Committee examines and reviews all systems and methods of control for the Foundation, Woodbridge School and Seckford Care and ensures compliance with all aspects of the law, relevant regulations and good practice.
Governance, Nomination and Remuneration Committee
This Committee coordinates all aspects of governance to enhance overall performance, regularly reviews the structure, size and composition of the Governing Body and its committees and reviews remuneration policies and contractual arrangements for senior leaders of the Foundation.
Our Governors
Clive Schlee
Chair
I spent a lot of my childhood in and around Woodbridge and I was delighted to be asked to chair the Foundation in early 2020. I hope I bring enthusiasm, compassion and plenty of commercial experience to all the Foundation’s activities. I was CEO of Pret A Manger for seventeen years and learned the importance of team member engagement and a sense of purpose to any organisation. I believe the Foundation’s reputation is based on the excellence of its operations and my goal is for Seckford Care and Woodbridge School to be best in class.
Will Anderson
Governor (EDI)
I was invited to join the board in early 2020 having returned to Suffolk with my wife, three children and dog after living overseas for five years. After growing up on the North West, I attended the Royal Military Academy, Sandhurst, going on to serve for over 17 years in many of the major hot spots around the world. I was made an MBE in 2007 and have an MBA from Cranfield University. Having held senior roles with Careem, Uber and Brunswick, the expertise I hope to bring to the Seckford Foundation is in strategy development, reputation management and promoting positive change.
Howard Blackett
Governor (Boarding)
I was educated at St Edward’s School and Christ Church, Oxford. Post university, after a brief spell in the Royal Navy (basic training at BRNC Dartmouth and sea time in HMS Illustrious), I found my true vocation as a school master working in independent boarding schools, which culminated in 22 years of headship (Dover College, Kent; the Royal Hospital School, Suffolk and Peterhouse School, Zimbabwe).
I am married with three grown up children, all of whom were educated at RHS, and I live locally in Alderton. Nearly all ball sports and choral singing are life-long interests as is walking in the great outdoors. I hope that my knowledge of and commitment to the independent sector will be of value to the Board and to the school and that, in particular, I will be able to offer support to the HM as she negotiates the challenges and of Headship!
Peter Brown
Governor
I was recruited as a Governor at the beginning of 2024. As well as serving as a Governor, I specifically support Seckford Care as a member of the Foundation’s Care Committee. Before joining as a Governor, I was Chair of Trustees for a London charity which is active in supporting community and social issues. My paid work is in the social housing sector where I currently work on decarbonisation strategy. I have been based in Colchester since 2018 where I relocated to start a family. I hope my expertise in strategy, regulatory compliance and general assurance will support the Foundation to continue to deliver great services to all who rely on it for education and care.
Will Fletcher
Governor
As CEO of Lapwing Education, a specialist alternative education provider working with disadvantaged 4-25 year olds across East Anglia, I am passionate about the holistic development of young people. Since moving to Suffolk in 2009, I have gained significant teaching (subject specialism English), senior leadership and school improvement experience within a range of education settings and have been integral to the successful transformation of a number of challenging schools within the state sector. Prior to this I spent my early career as a change management consultant working globally with market leading clients within the high technology sector. Having been invited to join the Board in 2022, I hope my education leadership experience will both support and challenge the Foundation to deliver the best possible outcomes for those within its care.
Sarah Hill
Governor
Following a degree in English Literature at Exeter University I worked in advertising in London and Hong Kong. Moving to Moscow, I became chair and trustee of Action for Russia’s Children, working with disabled and disadvantaged children. The charity’s work showed me the power of educating the individual, within and beyond the classroom. Since returning to the UK in 2007 I have volunteered at Citizen’s Advice. In 2014 I became a co-opted member of Woodbridge School Committee, subsequently becoming a full Governor. My four children have all benefited hugely from their wide-ranging Woodbridge education. I hope my interest in education and experience of the voluntary sector will benefit the Foundation.
Sharon Kerridge
Governor
I was delighted to be appointed a Governor in May 2024 following my return to Suffolk and setting up home in Woodbridge. After a 30 year career in commercial banking and asset management I have transitioned to the charity sector. I am currently the Associate Director of Risk for Marie Curie where I am responsible for developing their risk management framework and for the last six years, I was Treasurer of South East London Mind. I hope to use my energy and professional skills to support the continued success of the Foundation ensuring we uphold our values, deliver best in class care and have a positive impact on the wider Woodbridge community.
Geoff Holdcroft
Governor
I became a Trustee in 2017 as the Woodbridge Town Council nominee. I have now lived in Suffolk for half my life having moved from Staffordshire to join BT at Adastral Park in 1985. During my time there, I had a number of career moves starting with research into optical electrochemistry and ending up helping to launch new start-up businesses. I am a lifelong learner with a law degree, a doctorate in Chemistry and an MBA in Strategic Management. After leaving BT, I spent ten years in local government, the last four as Deputy Leader of Suffolk Coastal District Council.
Graham Kill
Governor (Health and Safety)
Our family came to live in Woodbridge after spending twenty four years in different parts of the world. Our children have been at Woodbridge School and it has been a pleasure to use my business experience to support the Foundation and the community. Recently I have been able to draw on my experiences to help the board evaluate strategies and management to navigate the challenges of Covid.
A healthy Seckford Foundation is incredibly important for those in our care in Woodbridge and the surrounding area, and being a Governor has really connected me to the place we are lucky enough to live in.
Margaret McKenna
Governor, Vice Chair
I am a chartered management accountant with an MBA from London Business School, which I obtained after taking a degree in Physics at Oxford University. I have worked for over twenty years as Bursar of sizeable independent schools (Sherborne, then Felsted) and have experience of Prep and Senior Schools, boarding and international students. I have also served as Governor of two independent Prep Schools (and Chair of Sherborne Prep School) and as Chairman of the Independent Schools’ Bursars’ Association, bringing significant experience of schools, both at a strategic and operational level. Whilst my primary focus is on Woodbridge School, I am proud to be involved with Seckford Care and continue to develop the ways I can contribute to their success.
Sarah-Louise Neesam
Governor (Safeguarding)
I was delighted to be appointed as Safeguarding Governor in May 2024. I have 23 years of experience working as Student Welfare Manager at West Suffolk College and now as Group Head of Welfare and Safeguarding at Eastern Education Group where I am responsible for the wellbeing of around 12,000 students. This work has given me vast experience in safeguarding and I also currently sit on several safeguarding related boards and panels in Suffolk. This work isn't easy but I take my responsibility to safeguarding children and adults at risk very seriously and promote wellbeing wherever possible. I am keen to support the Foundation with my experience and knowledge in this area and will carry out my role as Governor diligently.
I am Suffolk born and bred, living in a small village near Debenham. I have a husband and two grown up sons and many pets including three cats and chickens. I very much enjoy craft and am keen on crochet and sewing.
I have a degree in Politics from the University of Essex where I focused on international relations and particularly personality led decision making. This element from my degree has been especially useful in my work.
Will Self
Governor
Having been brought up in Suffolk and with two children at Woodbridge School, I have a strong connection to the Seckford Foundation and its core purpose and values. I originally gained a degree in Oceanography at Southampton University before retraining in finance and completing an MBA from Cranfield Business School. I’m now CEO of a listed Pension, Investment and FinTech firm.
Outside work, I’m Chair of East Anglia’s Children’s Hospices, providing support to families and care for children and young people with life-threatening conditions across the region.
I’m looking forward to applying my commercial and charity experience to help the Seckford Foundation in its next phase of growth.
Martin Sylvester
Governor
With over 30 years as Director of a property development company, my business career has been focused on the creation of large-scale research and business parks across the region, such as Colchester and Chelmsford Business Parks. My wife and I have lived in Woodbridge since 1981 and our three girls all attended Woodbridge School. I have been Woodbridge Town Mayor on three occasions. As a Trustee of Woodbridge Museum, I am keen to see the wonderful history of Woodbridge told to an even wider audience. I bring this passion and experience to the Seckford Foundation and try to ensure that the estate is managed in a way that contributes positively to the Foundation and wider community.
Co-opted Committee Members
Education Committee
Vanessa Audas (EYFS) After studying for a BED Hons at Christ Church Canterbury I knew that my career path was going to be with the Early Years. My passion for the education of young children still burns brightly today. I worked as a Reception teacher before becoming the Director of EYFS in a primary school then moving on to become Deputy Head of an Outstanding village infant school. From there I became Head of EYFS and Key Stage One at Brentwood School, a role which I held for ten years. During that time I led the Prep children, families and staff through an ambitious expansion and new build resulting in a successful three form entry point to Brentwood.
I retired from this role in July 2023 and with my husband relocated to Suffolk. We are both enjoying exploring this new county, having time for new hobbies and opportunities. We have one daughter who also work in Early Years education and lives in Essex.
Peter Jones I trained at Carnegie College of Physical Education, Leeds before starting my teaching career in Essex in the early eighties. As Head of PE and Games at Holmwood House, I also took on various regional roles including PE Subject Secretary for the East Anglian Area Training Board and I ran various large sports events for the local primary school circuit. During those early years, I became a trustee at my local sports club and created a highly successful activity holiday schedule which I later trained a number of schools to develop.
I spent eight years as Deputy Head of Holmwood House before being appointed Headmaster of Littlegarth School in September 2003. Working with the team to strengthen key areas of the School, I helped to raise the reputation of Littlegarth across the region and ensure increasingly strong numbers, thus enabling the School to develop outstanding teaching facilities. I also took on various responsibilities as a member of IAPS and retired as Head of Littlegarth in September 2021 after 40 years in the teaching profession.
Finance, Audit and Resources Committee
Stephen Doe I am a Financial Planner and Managing Director of Big Skies Wealth Management. My career as an IFA followed 20 years in equity research in London, Hong Kong, Jakarta and New York for firms including Morgan Stanley and UBS. In my spare time I am Treasurer of the Ipswich Town FC Supporters Club, a trustee and Assistant Treasurer of the Disability Advice Service East Suffolk and am a keen traveller.
David Scrivener I live with my family just outside Woodbridge and my two daughters attend the school – one in the Prep and one in the Senior School. It is fair to say that they both love it! In my business life, I am a partner at Ensors Accountants LLP and a fellow of the ICAEW. I work with organisations that are looking to make a step change – usually through acquisition, divestment or raising finance. In my career, I have worked with several charitable organisations to assist them with business cases for large projects and critically evaluating their financial strategy. My firm is one of only a few in the country who are accredited to act as interim managers by the Charity Commission. I have held school governor roles in two local primary schools dealing with issues such as potential academisation. Outside of work, I enjoy running and playing golf as well as spending time with my young family.
Care Committee
Dr Alison Townsley I am a GP partner at Framfield House Surgery and Medical Officer for the boarders at Woodbridge School. I grew up in Sydney Australia and moved to the UK where I went to school in Surrey. I studied medicine at The University of Nottingham and then moved to London where I completed my GP training at Ealing and Chelsea and Westminster Hospitals. I moved to Suffolk in 2011 and took up my current position at Framfield House Surgery. I am very involved in training and teach medical students from the UEA and am a postgraduate trainer of future GPs.
Father Nigel Prior I am Rector of Woodbridge St Mary and Great Bealings, and joined these communities ‘virtually’ in the summer of 2020. I am also a Governor of St Mary’s CE Primary School. I come with nearly 40 years of priestly ministry – from inner city Manchester and more recently, Mayfield in East Sussex. I spent 20 years there with particular responsibility for creating a new cottage hospice within the Parish and close links with the chaplaincy at Mayfield School. I have theology degrees from Bristol and Chichester Universities and was privileged to have Rowan Williams as my tutor at theological college in Cambridge. My other interests include a passion for ‘green issues’, modern art, music, literature and drama – as well as enjoying regular dog-walking locally to escape the ‘traffic’ of too many e-mails!
Peter Knights My journey through my working life has been varied with careers ranging from Corporate Banking and Finance through to senior leadership roles within the health sector, including being a Business Partner for a large Primary Care provider, to sitting on various health care boards including Practice Based Commissioning Groups and more recently the Governing Body of West Suffolk Clinical Commissioning Group. I am delighted to have the opportunity to serve as a voluntary committee member for the Seckford Foundation, and hope that my knowledge and experience, both strategic and hands on, in both finance and care service provisioning, will assist in helping to steer the Foundation successfully towards its chosen goals. I live just outside Woodbridge with my wife and Cocker Spaniel, and have two grown up children who have flown the nest and are pursuing careers in medicine and local government.
Alma Sinclair I grew up in the west of Scotland and studied psychology at the University of Glasgow. After graduating I spent a year as a research assistant at the university and worked in residential settings with children and adolescents in Hertfordshire and London. I then completed a postgraduate social work course at Queen’s College Glasgow. After qualifying as a social worker, I worked in the London Borough of Islington for eleven years, at first working with children and adults and later specialising in work with adults. I moved to Suffolk with my husband and two small children twenty seven years ago and have lived in the centre of Woodbridge since then. I began working for Suffolk County Council as a social worker in 1998 and retired in 2022 after 24 years working for Adult Services. My posts included a role giving professional guidance to other social workers and being a practice educator. My most recent role was in a specialist team contributing to assessments for continuing healthcare.
I enjoy walking, travelling, and reading. I am a member of the Deben Canoe Club and enjoy kayaking on the Deben. I act as a volunteer guide for the Sutton Hoo Ship’s Company. In joining the Care Committee I hope to use my professional experience to support the excellent work of Seckford Care.
Compliance and Risk Committee
Kay Maddox-Daines I am a consultant and educator in leadership and people management. I have worked in a range of education and HR leadership roles in both the public and private sector. I am a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development, Fellow of the Higher Education Academy, a Visiting Fellow at the University of Suffolk and a UK Registered Career Development Professional. Author of ‘Managing People in the Hybrid Workplace’ and ‘How to Pass your CIPD Qualifications, both published by Routledge and ‘How to get ahead in HR’, published by London Publishing Partnership, I am a keen researcher and writer in the field of work and organisations.
President
Baron Neuberger of Abbotsbury has been the President of the Seckford Foundation since 2011. Lord Neuberger was called to the Bar in 1974, took silk in 1987 and was appointed a High Court Judge in 1996. He became a Lord of Appeal in 2007 and in 2009 was appointed Master of the Rolls. On 1 October 2012 he became President of the Supreme Court. He retired from The Supreme Court in 2017 and now practices as a commercial arbitrator for one Essex Court.
Lord Neuberger was educated at Westminster School and Christ Church, Oxford University.
Lord Neuberger was a governor of the University of the Arts London for ten years until 2010 and is the Chairman of the Schizophrenia Trust.
In 2006 Lord Neuberger led an investigation for the Bar Council into widening access to the barrister profession. He also served on the panel on fair access to the professions led by Alan Milburn.
Patrons
Roger Finbow Co-opted Committee Member, Governor from 2000, Chair from 2010 – 2020
Bill Mayne Governor 2002-2014; Vice Chairman of Governors 2004-2014; Chairman of Beccles Free School 2012 – 2016
Clare, Countess of Euston
Professor Jane Wright Governor 2005 – 2019
Jonathan Ripman Governor 1992-2016; Chairman of school committee 1993-2015; Chairman of community benefit committee 2013 – 2016
Lord and Lady Tollemache
Mark Mitchels Member of Woodbridge School teaching staff, 1969 – 2012; President of Old Woodbridgians 2014 – 2015
Mark Pendlington
Miranda Kendall
Pam Tile Wife of Bob Tile, Governor 1972-2000; Chairman of Governors 1981-2000
Stephen Cole Headmaster Woodbridge School 1994-2014
Stephen Fletcher Governor 1988-2004; Vice Chairman 1996-2004
The Right Hon. Lord Deben
Val Goddard
Wendy Evans-Hendrick Governor 2007 to 2021, Chair of Care Committee 2008-2021
James Wellesley Wesley Governor from 2003 – 2021
Michael Booth Master of the Abbey 1986 - 1997
David Houchell OW Committee Member for 30 years, President of OW’s for two terms
Kenneth Bailey OW Committee Member for 25 years, President of OWs for nine years
Alumni
Chris Parker CBE Governor 2007 – 2010
Christina Clubb Teacher 1988 – 2019
David Haynes Bursar 1993 – 2007
Dr Richard Broaderwick Teacher 1986 – 2018
Giles Slaughter Governor, 1998 – 2007
Graeme Bruce Director of Studies 1985 – 2015
Helen Myerscough Member of Finance Committee, 2008 – 2014
Jane Cole Headmaster’s wife 1994 – 2014
Jane Leason Care Services Manager, 2003 – 2010
John Carrington Governor, 2007 – 2014; Chairman of Finance Committee 2012 – 2014
John Penny Teacher 1978 – 2017
Lady Clare Newton Member of School Committee, 2001- 2014
Mary Rudd PR Advisor 2002 – 2015
Mike Carter Member of School Committee 2010 – 2016
Ruth Garrett Master of the Abbey’s wife 1997 – 2015
Nicky Trepte Governor, 2004 – 2014
Revd Canon David Pitcher Governor, 1991 – 2000
Richard Fernley Teacher 1988 – 2017
Robin Vickers Foundation Director, 1994 – 2003
Stephen Cottrell Teacher 1988 – 2017
Sue Leslie
Susan Booth Teacher 1987 - 2019
Rob Turner OW Committee Member for 13 years and Chair of OW Liaison Group for 10 years