Meet the Governors

The College has an active board of 19 Governors, who are also the Board of Woodard Schools (Nottinghamshire) Ltd, and they are responsible for both Worksop College and Ranby House School. The Chair of Governors (also known as the Custos), Mr. C.J.D. Anderson, leads the team who meet at least once a term to discuss and take major decisions relating to the College. Drawn from a range of backgrounds, the Governors bring a wealth of expertise to the College, which is hugely appreciated.

The Board of Woodard Schools (Nottinghamshire) Ltd Provost

The Revd. Canon B. Clover, M.A., F.R.S.A., L.T.C.L.

Chairman (and Custos)

Mr. C.J.D Anderson, M.A.

Vice Custodes

Mrs. J.C. Richardson, M.B.E, B.A., J.P.

Governors

Mr. J. Browning, M.A., M.B.A.
Mr. M.A. Chapman, MLIA (Dip)
Mr. G.A.R. Cormack, B.A.

Ms. S. Cundy, B.A., A.C.A
Mr. T.D. Fremantle, M.B.A., D.L.
Mr. M.E. Hartley, B.Sc., F.C.A.
Mrs. E.A. Lee
Mr. R.P.H. McFerran, R.R.I.C.S.C, C.A.A.V.
Mr. J. Palmer, B.A.
Ms. J.H. Smith
Mr. A.P. Spillane, B.A.
Mr. R.R. Steel, B.Sc.
Mr. D. Wilson, F.C.A., C.T.A.

Company Secretary - Mr. J.K. Wheeler, O.B.E., B.A., Dip. F.M.

Mr. Colin Anderson

Colin is an Old Ranbian and Old Worksopian as are his 3 sons. He read Law at Fitzwilliam College, Cambridge and was called to the Bar by Gray’s Inn in 1973. He has practised as a barrister for many years at St. Mary’s Chambers, Nottingham and is a former Head of Chambers. He now specialises in Family Law and Personal Injury claims.

Colin has been a Committee member and Chairman of the Old Worksopian Society. He joined the Board in 2005 and in November 2008 was elected to serve as Custos (Chairman) from the 1st September 2009.

Colin’s outside interests have centred on cricket, hockey and music. He is a past Chairman of Notts and Arnold Amateur Cricket Club and was an enthusiastic member of the Worksop Woodpeckers CC. He sings in the choirs of the Nottingham Harmonic Society and St. Peter’s, East Bridgford.

Mr. Martin Chapman

Martin was educated at Carre's Grammar School, Sleaford, Lincolnshire going from there to train as a radio officer for the Merchant Navy. When he left the sea he joined Harrods of Knightsbridge, going onto their Executive Training Course and was promoted from there to Customer Relations Manager at their associated store, D. H. Evans, Oxford Street.

Currently chairman of Chapman Associates Ltd, a business based in Melton Mowbray which Martin set up in 1994 when the temptation to go into business on his own called, Martin mainly advises the owners and senior staff of small and medium-sized businesses on their strategic financial planning. Martin has also set up and chaired a waterway restoration group which opened the local waterway to leisure use. This voluntary work involved him raising public awareness and funds as well as negotiating with navigation authorities.

Martin has two sons, both of whom went to Worksop College and became more formally involved with the school, when his wife Patricia became chair of the Friends of Worksop committee. He is a keen photographer and has his own sailing boat ("which does not see enough of me"), in Norfolk.

The Revd. Canon B. Clover

Brendan Clover read music at Gonville & Caius College, Cambridge, where he was a Choral Scholar. From Cambridge he moved to Oxford to train for the priesthood.

A former head chorister of Sheffield Cathedral, Brendan returned to the Cathedral world as Canon Precentor of Bristol Cathedral in 1999, where his duties included being responsible for the music and liturgy of the Cathedral. Before Bristol, for five years Brendan had served as parish priest of St Pancras, Euston Road, and Holy Cross, Cromer Street, in London’s Kings Cross/Euston area, parishes at the heart of the Kings Cross Single Regeneration Bid. He describes a parish of ‘homeless people and sex workers’. Prior to that Brendan was Chaplain and then Dean of Emmanuel College, Cambridge.

As Senior Provost Brendan has a position of leadership in the Woodard Schools. He has high ambitions for the family of schools and is actively engaged in arranging events surrounding the 200th Anniversary of the Birth of Canon Nathaniel Woodard in 2011.

His interests include cooking and wine, and keeping fit, and he confesses to ‘having been promiscuous with cars’.

Mr. Gary Cormack

Gary read Chemistry at Wadham College, Oxford, and on graduation joined Coats Viyella. He subsequently worked at Boots, IBM and Superdrug in commercial roles, including Director of Trading and setting up and running businesses across Europe. He is now Chief Executive of Picsolve, a private equity backed business providing photography services to theme parks and attractions, such as the London Eye, throughout Europe, the USA and the Far East.

Gary and his wife live locally and have two sons, one of whom attended Worksop College.

Mr. Tom Fremantle

After 10 years as a Royal Naval Executive Office, Tom gained a Masters degree in Business Administration at Cranfield University. He then spent 25 years in a major multi-national engineering company holding successive senior management posts, which included responsibility for £250million sales in Europe and worldwide.

Tom has been Chairman of the NHS Nottinghamshire County since its inception in October 2006, and a member of the NHS Confederation’s PCT Network Board since February 2007. He is currently an East Midlands Business Champion, Prince’s Trust mentor, executive coach and served as Chairman of Woodard Schools (Nottinghamshire) Ltd from 2001 – 2009. He has lived in Newark for 26 years and is a Deputy Lieutenant for Nottinghamshire. He is a former Custos and is now Chairman of the Woodard Corporation, the body that oversees all Woodard Schools, both independent and state.

Mr. Michael Hartley

Mike was educated at Oundle and Manchester University and qualified as a Chartered Accountant in 1974. He moved into industry and has worked in a variety of sectors, including Distribution, Manufacturing, IT and Retail. His career has spanned businesses ranging from start ups to Plcs as Finance Director, Managing Director and Chairman. He spent many years of his career as a company turnaround specialist.

Mike is married to Jane, a local magistrate, and they have two boys, both educated at Ranby and Worksop. His interests include motor racing, golf and triathlon.

Mrs. Elizabeth Lee

Liz studied at Agricultural College, the perfect platform from which to go on to run the family farm in North Nottinghamshire with her husband, Alistair. Twenty five years on, the farm has diversified and now offers holiday lettings, which Liz runs.

All three of Liz’s children attended both Ranby House and Worksop College, during which time Liz played an active role in school life. Now they are grown up, Liz maintains the connection as a Board member, with particular responsibility for Public Benefit and Child Protection.

Liz enjoys the theatre, playing tennis and flower arranging; indeed, when her children were at the College she was responsible for many a beautiful arrangement in the College Chapel.

Mr. Rowan McFerran

Rowan was educated at St. Edward’s, Oxford and the Royal Agricultural College, Cirencester. A recently retired Land Agent and Chartered Surveyor, Rowan was the Rural Surveyor for the Ministry of Agriculture, Asst. Resident Agent at Milton Estate, Peterborough and, more recently, Resident Agent at Thoresby Estate, Nottinghamshire.

Rowan was invited to join the Council of Worksop College and Ranby House School in 1982 and since then has held numerous posts, including Vice Custos. He now serves on the Strategy and Finance Committee, the Ranby House School Management Committee and the Nominations Committee.

Rowan is married to Janet and their three sons attended both Ranby House and Worksop College.

Mrs. Jan Richardson M.B.E

Jan spent much of her working life in secondary education as a teacher (History) having trained at Worcester College before going on to a B.A. degree. Latterly, Jan moved into Education-Business brokerage, most recently as Chief Executive of NEBA (Nottinghamshire Education Business Alliance).

Jan has been involved with Worksop College for a number of years, chairing the Management Committee and sitting on the Strategy and Finance Committee. She is also Vice Chair of the Woodard Academy Trust.

In January 2011, Jan was awarded the M.B.E for services to Education and to the community in Nottingham. This reflects her outstanding contribution to a number of voluntary and public service organisations as a trustee, Board Member and Justice of the Peace in Nottinghamshire, regionally and nationally, with significant commitments to two educational charities.

Jan is a Magistrate and sits on the Courts Board for Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire. In addition she is a member of the Board for Southwell Cathedral Shop and a trustee of the National Charity Skillforce.

Married, with two children, Jan enjoys the fact that her Goddaughter now attends Worksop College.

Ms. Judith Smith

Judith Smith has been involved with Ranby House School and Worksop College since 1994 when her two daughters joined the prep school. Always seen on the touchline and at concerts Judith enjoyed her time at the schools as much as her girls did. She chaired the Friends of Worksop College for 3 years and joined the School Council in 2006. In March 2009 Judith was elected to the Board of the Woodard Corporation.

Judith has run her own businesses in retail and construction for over 25 years and is currently focusing on her business consultancy company. When time allows Judith enjoys nothing better than sampling the delights of food (a passion of hers) and drink with friends and family.

Mr. Paul Spillane

Paul was educated at Radley College and the University of Birmingham, where he read Latin. He began his teaching career at St Andrew's School, Eastbourne, where he was Head of English. He was subsequently a housemaster at Wellington College and Deputy Head of Trent College. In 2008 he retired after seventeen years as Headmaster of Silcoates School.

He is now Education Officer of the Emmott Foundation, an ISI Reporting Inspector and an educational consultant.

Paul is married with three children and lists among his interests rugby, cricket, skiing, Wolverhampton Wanderers, classical music and Italy.

Mr. Richard Steel

Richard was Headmaster of York House School (day Prep. School for Boys near Rickmansworth) from 1984 -1990 and then Headmaster of Wellesley House (co-educational boarding Prep.School in Broadstairs) from 1990 - 2006. He has been a Governor of three independent schools and he was a member of several ISJC Inspection Teams.

He retired to the Lincolnshire Wolds in September 2006 but remains actively involved in teaching and tuition. He is a Committee Member of the Society of Schoolmasters and Schoolmistresses and the West Heath Charitable Trust. Richard is also a keen fisherman.

Mr. David Wilson

David was educated at Queen Elizabeth's Grammar School and joined a local firm of Chartered Accountants in which he is now senior partner.

He qualified as a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales in 1967 and qualified as a member of the Chartered Institute of Taxation the same year. David has served on committees for the Institute of Chartered Accountants and lectured on tax and various financial matters. He has significant audit experience particularly with Charitable Bodies.

He has been a director of several companies and held a Royal Warrant in respect of services to the Sandringham Estate. In September 2000 he was appointed a member of Southwell Cathedral Chapter which is the Body which runs the affairs of the Minster and he is chairman of the Finance Committee. He was for several years a member of the Finance Committee at West Notts College taking an active part in this important committee. David is also a school governor at St. Peter’s Primary School in Mansfield.

Mr. James Browning

James was educated at The Glasgow Academy after which he completed and MA Hons at the University of Aberdeen and an MBA at Stirling University. His early career was in the textile industry with Coats Viyella and William Baird during which time he worked in both North America and Asia. He moved on from this into company re-structuring work within the Venture Capital arena and is currently Group Managing Director for 2020 Mobile Ltd which is the largest distributor of cellular phones in the UK market. James holds a Non-Executive role within the Webb Group which is involved in the distribution, rental and mail order selling of DVD's and computer games.

He has two children both of whom attended Ranby and then Worksop.

His hobbies are cycling, fishing and travel.

Mr. John Palmer

John Palmer is the Director of Communications and Public Affairs at Sheffield Hallam University where he is responsible for all aspects of internal and external communications.

He trained as a journalist and has worked for local and national newspapers, ITV, IMG (the largest sports marketing company in the world) and JCB where he was one of a team of four who organised and ran the company’s year-long NSPCC ‘fullstop’ fundraising campaign.. He joined Sheffield Hallam University in 2002, where he has devised and managed several high profile city wide campaigns which brought together many partners from business, education, sport and leisure and the voluntary sectors.

He is also a Founding Trustee of the Dame Kelly Holmes Legacy Trust and is also a Trustee of Lost Chord and has worked with professional rugby union clubs on developing their community and educational programmes.

John is a keen follower of international cricket and rugby and maintains his interest in films, theatre and music.