Governance

Mrs Winifred Thomson

Chair of the Board of Governors

Mrs Winifred Thomson is a grandparent of two former pupils at the School. Having spent her entire career in education, she was previously employed as a Leadership Advisor for Bath and North East Somerset local authority, with special responsibility for newly qualified teachers. Winifred has worked in both the primary and secondary sectors as Head of Music, Director of Studies and as Deputy Head. Winifred’s professional qualifications include a MEd Bed (Hons), LLCM (TD) and ALCM. Winifred’s role and responsibilities within the Governing Body include Chair of the Board of Governors and she is also a member of all other Governing Body committees. Winifred is also the School’s Designated Safeguarding Lead Governor.

Mr John Isherwood

Vice-Chair of the Board of Governors

Mr John Isherwood is a former pupil and parent of the School and former President of the Old Edwardians’ Association. In addition to being Vice Chair, his responsibilities with the Governing Body include Finance and General Purposes and Estates, Premises and Resources.

Mr Paul Roper

Treasurer

Paul is a former parent of the School. Graduating with a B.Eng (hons) in Production Engineering, Paul spent his early career in the automotive electronics industry. After deciding to join the family business, Roper Rhodes, he has spent 30 years building the business where he has held the position of Managing Director for over a decade. He is actively involved in the charity sector as a trustee of the Roper Family Charitable Trust and is also a trustee of Bath Mozartfest.

Paul’s responsibilities with the governing body include Chair of Finance and General Purposes Committee and he has the honorary title of Treasurer. He is also a member of the Estates, Premises and Resources Committee.

Mr Ian Bleakley

Mr Ian Bleakley studied International Business and Modern Languages at Aston University before training as a chartered accountant. Ian is the M&A Director at a large software group, having previously spent over 20 years in professional services, specialising in advising companies and shareholders on corporate transactions. Ian’s responsibilities with the governing body include being a member of the Finance and General Purposes Committee. He is also a trustee and treasurer of a small charity concerned with education at a school in Uganda.

Mr Tom Boyce

Mr Tom Boyce is a former pupil at the School and former Chair of the Old Edwardians’ Association. Tom is a partner at Goughs Solicitors and an experienced family law specialist. Tom studied at Jesus College, Oxford and the University of the West of England before completing his legal training with Burges Salmon.

Tom’s responsibilities with the governing body include Finance and General Purposes and Fundraising and Development. He is also link governor with the Old Edwardians’ Association.

Mrs Ginny Chalmers

Mrs Ginny Chalmers is a former parent at the School and is a partner at Irwin Mitchell Solicitors in Bristol, where she heads up the firm’s Workplace Disease Practice. Ginny is also a Trustee and Past Chair of Bath Community Transport.

Ginny’s governing body responsibilities include Fundraising and Development and Estates, Premises and Resources. Ginny is Link Governor to the Junior School.

Mr Philip Cobb

Mr Philip Cobb is a former parent at the School and is a former player for the Old Edwardians’ Rugby Club. He is currently Managing Director of Cobb Farr Estate Agents, which he co-founded in 1989. Philip and his company have long supported the School, sponsoring various sporting events, supplying sports equipment, and supporting music concerts. Philip’s professional qualifications include a diploma in ISVA.

Philip’s responsibilities within the governing body include Fundraising and Development and Chair of the Estates, Premises and Resources Committee.

Mrs Catherine Colston

Mrs Catherine Colston is a former parent of the School. She has worked as a Pharmacist for over 25 years and was the former Head of Pharmacy at Alliance Boots. Catherine has had a wide range of leadership experience including retail operations, HR and New Business Development Partner at Threshold (a communications and behavioural change consultancy). She has also worked in property investment, development and as a landlord. Catherine’s professional qualifications include a BSC in Pharmacy.

Catherine’s responsibilities within the Governing Body include Fundraising and Development and Estates and Premises and Chair of Human Resources committee.

Mr Simon Coombe

Mr Simon Coombe is a former parent of the School. Simon spent 15 years working at UBS and now devotes his time to corporate governance and writing. He has been on the board of numerous private and not-for-profit organisations and has a long association with Dorothy House Hospice Care. Simon studied at Jesus College, Oxford and has an MBA from INSEAD.

Simon's responsibilities with the governing body include Finance and General Purposes, Estates, Premises and Resources, Fundraising and Development and Chair of the Bursary committee. He is also link governor with King Edward’s Pre-Prep & Nursery.

Professor Stephen Lillicrap

I really like the variety of my roles at KES, which embrace both pastoral and academic. It’s very rewarding and allows me to really get to know our pupils.

Professor Ann Millar

Professor Ann Millar is a former parent of King Edward’s. Ann completed her undergraduate training at Liverpool University and then trained in General Medicine gaining her MRCP. Her clinical training was undertaken in Liverpool and London at the Middlesex and Royal Brompton Hospitals. Ann is Emeritus Professor of Respiratory Medicine, University of Bristol, Emeritus Consultant Physician North Bristol NHS Trust, and an advisor to the National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE), the Medicine and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) and advisory boards for Government funded grants at Cambridge and Edinburgh.

Ann’s responsibilities within the Governing Body include Education and Performance and Fundraising and Development. Ann is the Link Governor for Special Needs.