Senior Leadership Team & Trustees

I feel delighted and privileged to be the Headmaster of Oakham following five happy years as Headmaster of Wellington School in Somerset.

I began my career at Sydney Grammar School, as the Oxford Classics Fellow, before returning to the UK to spend two years at Sherborne, not only teaching and tutoring, but also running the 2nd XI Cricket and 1st XV Rugby teams. I then moved to Rugby School where I was Head of Classics, a Housemaster and latterly Senior Housemaster. My wife, Mary, and I met at Oxford University, where I briefly coached her rugby. Twenty-five years on, our family has grown to include four children and a ‘Golden Doodle’, called Petal. Alongside being a Headmaster, I do my best to keep fit, to read and to retain my title of husband and father. This is often best done in North Wales, where we are lucky to have a house and where I have spent my holidays for over forty years.

I joined Oakham School in April 2024 from Wellingborough School, a co-educational 3–18 independent school, where I held the position of Deputy Head (Pastoral) and Designated Safeguarding Lead.
Before that, I have had the pleasure of being a Boarding Housemaster, a Head of Geography, a Sports Coach, and Master in Charge of the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Scheme. I am typically found out on the sports pitch, either coaching or throwing balls of all shapes to my son or daughter, whatever the weather.

I joined the School in January 2020, having previously been the Head of Science at Uppingham School. I started my career as a Chemistry teacher at Abingdon School, learning much about the dynamics of busy day schools, followed by a move to Rutland as Head of Chemistry at Uppingham School. Teaching and tutoring in a co-educational boarding school taught me how academic challenge and pastoral care must co-exist, and the centrality of trusting working relationships between pupils and staff. I am committed to fostering a joyful attitude towards learning, helping pupils to be open-minded and optimistic in their academic journey. I am married with three daughters and enjoy living in Oakham.

I joined Oakham in 2002 as a teacher of PE and Games and was fortunate enough to take over the running of the department a few short years later. I became Buchanans Housemistress in 2011. I was appointed Senior Housemistress in September 2016.  My husband Patrick (who is a graphic designer and Games coach and Senior Tutor in Clipsham) and I live with our son Harry, and two dogs.

Having joined Oakham in 2013 as Head of German and then being appointed Head of Middle School, I was delighted to be appointed Deputy Head Co-Curricular. Following a career as a professional classical singer, I entered the teaching profession at the age of 30. As a former Head of German, Housemaster and Master in Charge of Rowing at King’s Ely, I feel well placed to be overseeing the whole school experience for all pupils. I am married to Kim, who is Housemistress of Rushebrookes House, and we live there with our family. I remain passionate about opera and German Lieder, and maintain a love for skiing and cooking.

Joining in the summer of 2024, Helen took on the new role of Director of Admissions & Marketing after leaving Trent College in Nottingham. She joined with the task of combining both the Marketing and Admissions teams.

Prior to moving into the independent school sector, Helen spent a decade developing a marketing and communications career with global blue chip organisations.

I joined Oakham School in October 2020 from St Christopher School in Letchworth where I worked as the Bursar and Clerk to the governors for 15 years. I studied History at Trinity College Cambridge, and then spent one year as the CD Broad Exchange Fellow at Rice University in Houston, Texas. My various roles before becoming a Bursar have centred around charity finance and administration and included working at London Business School and as the Chief Executive of a London Almshouse Charity. I am an ISI  inspector, a governor of Christ Church Cathedral School in Oxford and was previously a governor at a prep school in Cambridge. My wife, Christine, and I live on the  Lincolnshire/ Rutland border with numerous animals where we are visited from time to time by our two adult children.

Justine is an experienced and well respected practitioner for safeguarding children within schools. Prior to joining Oakham School in the summer of 2024, Justine held the position of Director of Safeguarding at Trent College in Nottingham.

Outside of School, Justine has contributed to the Derby & Derbyshire Safeguarding Children Partnership’s Training Pool delivering multi-agency training to professionals within Derbyshire. Justine has also been a member of the Derby & Derbyshire Safeguarding Children Partnership’s Education Sub Committee which serves to represent schools at the LSCP level.

I joined Oakham School in May 2013 following a long and successful career in the retail sector. My daughter is an OO (Alumni of the School) and as such, my support of, and feelings about Oakham School run deeper than it simply being a great place to work. However, it is a great place to work; each day I am reminded of the incredibly beautiful environment we are all lucky enough to enjoy, and I am privileged to work with such a fantastic team of dedicated teaching and support staff. I think if every day coming to work is this much fun, then it must be a truly fantastic place to learn – something I know my daughter and her friends would most definitely concur with!

I joined the School in January 2020, having headed up HR functions in three Higher Education establishments over the previous 15 years.

As Director of People, my aim is to use a proactive, influential and communicative approach to provide Oakham School’s staff with strategic HR support, to ensure the School makes the most of their talent. I live in South Nottingham with my family.

I joined Oakham in 2011 to teach Religion & Philosophy, before becoming Head of Department in 2015. I have been Head of Upper School since 2021 and, as such, am responsible for the overall School experience of our 400 Form 6 and 7 pupils. It is a pleasure and a privilege to work with these fantastic young people in their final two years of school life and to help them discover and manage their own futures. I live in Rutland with my husband and enjoy reading and long dog walks in my spare time.

I was appointed as a Trustee in 2013. I qualified as a veterinary surgeon in 1974 and undertook research and teaching posts at  the Universities of Cambridge, Florida and Glasgow where I held the Chair of Veterinary Surgery.   I worked for Mars Incorporated from 1993 to 2003 with my final position being Global Director of Science and Technology Platforms. In 2003 I was appointed Vice-Chancellor of Nottingham Trent University retiring in 2014. I live in Oakham with my wife Susan and both of my children attended Oakham School.

I was appointed a Trustee in 2019. I studied Architecture at the Canterbury School of Architecture and qualified in 1983.  Since then, I have had a long career at GSS Architecture and acted as Senior Partner for the last 10 years before retirement. Having been governor at Witham Hall School for 13 years, I now chair the Oakham School Buildings & Estates Sub-Committee, which monitors the fabric and facilities of the School.  My eldest son attended Oakham School as a boarder from 1999 – 2007 and has since become a doctor.

Having developed my early career with the ITT Group and Hagemeyer NV, I joined Caterpillar in 2003, and have held various senior HR roles including Vice President of Global Human Resources for Caterpillar Logistics Services, a subsidiary of Caterpillar Inc. I have gained global experience through international assignments in Brussels, Belgium and at Caterpillar’s Global Headquarters in Peoria IL, USA.

Recently, I retired from coordinating and leading Caterpillar’s business interests, government affairs and corporate social responsibilities agenda in the United Kingdom.

I am also a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development.

Away from work I am married to Claire, and I live with my family in Northamptonshire. My interests include spending time with my children, golf, and I am a keen supporter of Derby County FC.

I was appointed as a Trustee in 2023.  I am currently the Chief Development Officer in a Biotech company and have over 20-years’ experience working in the pharmaceutical industry.  I have spent the last 13 years working in the biotech sector in VC-funded start-up companies.  I am based in Rutland with two children who both attend Oakham School. I have a PhD in Neuropsychology from Lancaster University.

I joined HMC in August 2020 after nine years as Head of the King’s School in Macclesfield, where I was also a pupil.

In that time, I led the Foundation’s 2020 vision, which transformed the split-site diamond school into a fully co-educational school operating from a new campus in one of the country’s largest school improvement projects.

After reading history at Christ Church, Oxford, I completed a doctorate on mid-nineteenth century Prussia at the universities of Oxford and Bonn.

Following this, my first permanent post was at Loughborough Grammar School as Head of History before becoming Head of History and Humanities at Oakham School.

I have been Chair of Trustees at the Macclesfield Music Centre and involved in various groups supporting the town’s regeneration.

I have also been a member of HMC’s PD Committee as well as Chair and Secretary of the North West Division. I am a governor and former ISI inspector.

I am a keen gardener and conservationist who has lived in Rutland for 27 years, however, I have loved it for longer.

From 2016-2017 I became High Sheriff of Rutland where I was keen to use this role to spearhead and publicise the introduction of mental health resilience.

I also introduced CPR training for all 15-year olds in Rutland.

During my 35-year tenure at Mars, I established myself as a globally recognised expert in research and development and a seasoned business leader. Prior to joining Mars, I worked as a microbiologist at the U.K. Public Health Laboratory service in Slough. I then went on to assume leadership positions in developing markets and newly acquired businesses, living and working in various countries across Europe and North America as I climbed the ranks in several of Mars’ business segments.

I made numerous contributions to the company, including developing novel analytical techniques, establishing global technology and research platforms, and spearheading product and business innovations. Most recently, I led the enhancement of Mars’ approach to food safety and quality.

I was instrumental in developing Mars’ Quality Management Process and establishing the Global Food Safety Centre, a hub of research excellence that focuses on technology breakthroughs and external collaboration.

I also established many fundamental policies that helped guide and shape Mars’ science strategy and highly principled approach to science. I retired from Mars in April 2021 to embark on “career 2.0,” where I intended to focus on impacting the issues of food safety and food security by working with international agencies and businesses.

I established STRIDE Food R&D Consultancy Ltd and I am advising several food start-ups and new venture businesses. Along with this, I also volunteer as the Chair of the Global Food Safety Initiative’s Science and Technology Advisory group.  In 2022 I was appointed to the board of TATA Consumer Products Ltd as an independent director.

I am a senior lawyer specialising in contentious insurance and reinsurance matters at DAC Beachcroft LLP.

I am a qualified Mental Health First Aid Officer, and I volunteer as a tutor through Action Tutoring. Along with this, I am also a member of the Lullaby Trust’s parent advisory panel.

Since joining Nottingham Trent University in 1999, I have worked in a variety of roles within Personnel up to the Head of HR Operations role I currently hold. I have a huge passion for people and getting the very best out of them.

I won a Santander women’s leadership programme in 2014, and went out to UCLA. This year, I received the UHRCUPA Bursary, and have attended an HR conference and study visits to universities in America, looking at diversity and inclusion practices over there.

I am an accountant by trade, qualifying as an ACA in 1979 up to retiring from my full time position.

Once established in Nottingham I became an active member of the local region of the Institute of Directors ultimately becoming chairman for five years in the late 1990s and early 2000s.

I was heavily involved with The Lords Taverners for many years but  my other primary charitable interest now is as trustee of the Nottingham University Hospitals Charitable Trust.

Outside of work, I am happily married to Nicky and we have two children Tom and Katie. Both of my children attended Oakham which provided them with a great foundation for life.

I am a Commercial Lawyer at a managing consultancy firm. I completed my training contract at Bird & Bird LLP.

Prior to qualifying as a Lawyer, I worked in the Project Finance (Energy) team at an international law firm, assisting with legal research, documentation review, drafting and amending documents for multinational transactions, and business development activities.

I opted to do a legal work placement year in the financial hub of Tanzania: Dar es Salaam. Whilst working in Dar I was given the opportunity to travel and work in Johannesburg, South Africa. Both experiences were truly life changing where I was able to learn new skills as well as hone my existing ones.

I was able to meet experts in the legal and political field and gained the necessary exposure I desired in relation to understanding the legal and socio-political intricacies that encompass jurisdictions that heavily rely on natural resources.

My experiences and exposure to the legal sector made a significantly positive impact on my decision to join the Trust, with the hope of making a difference and giving back to society.

I was appointed as Trustee in 2020. After graduating with a Mathematics degree from Durham University, I spent 10 years in the City as a commodity trader. Thereafter, I took my PGCE through The Open University and started my Mathematics teaching career in secondary schools. I taught at Oakham School for 11 years, completing my career as Head of Middle School on the Senior Leadership Team. In recent years, I have been governor at other local schools, teach mathematics online, mentor undergraduates and act as a trustee for a few charities. I was privileged to serve as High Sheriff of Rutland 2019-20

I live near Oakham and enjoy time spent with our two adult children, as well as playing sport, gardening, travel, and theatre.

I was appointed as a Trustee in June 2024. After qualifying at Charing Cross and Westminster Medical School in 1995 I have been a GP in Syston for 24 years. I am a Fellow of the Royal College of General Practitioners, and also work at Melton Hospital pursuing my special interest in ENT.

I am a founding director of the community interest company, LLR Patient Care Locally which leads the relocation of patient services from hospitals into the community.

I am married to Leanne and our two children both attended Oakham School.

I was appointed as a Trustee in 2021 having been Warden (Head) of St Edward’s Oxford for 10 years. I attended Durham University and have degrees in both Philosophy and Mathematics, as well as a research degree in Philosophy of Mathematics.

I have taught in both the prep and public school sectors and have been a Head of Mathematics (Berkhamsted School), a Housemaster (Radley College), and a Head (Dover College as well as St Edward’s).

I was Chair of the Rugby Group of schools for nine years and Vice-Chair of the HMC Universities Committee for seven; I was a governor at St George’s School, Windsor Castle and am still a governor at Christ Church Cathedral School in Oxford, as well as being Chair of Governors at Beaudesert Park School in Gloucestershire.

Recently I have been working with various educational establishments in China.

I am a solicitor in complex trusts and pension’ law. I am semi-retired but was a Senior Partner at Shakespeare Martineau with who I am now a consultant.

I have been a trustee of the School since 2014 and a trustee of the Oakham Foundation since 2005.

I have always believed that it is essential for senior professionals to play a full and active part in the community in which they live and work and against that background I have enjoyed a number of roles, such as chairing the National Forest Charitable Trust and more recently chairing the appeal for the Leicester Children’s Hospital.

I am married to Helen, and we have three children all of whom went to Oakham School.

I was installed as Dean of Peterborough in January 2018. Prior to taking up this appointment, I was Dean of Newcastle for 14 years.

I have roots in the east of England. I grew up in Norfolk, studied at Cambridge University and served in the diocese of Chelmsford for the first 12 years of my ministry.

My wife and I love Italy and all things Italian whilst I personally am a keen follower of Formula 1 and a long-suffering supporter of Norwich City FC.