Governor Profiles

		Peter Johns Chairman of Governors Until his retirement in 2008 Peter was Head of Banking and Treasury at Rothschild, the international investment bank. He previously held, over a period of thirty years, a number of senior positions for Rothschild group companies in the UK, the Channel Islands, the USA and Asia. He is currently a director of United Open MRI Limited, a company that operates open upright MRI scanners; a trustee/director of Autistica, the largest UK charity funding research into the nature and causes of autism; and prospective Chairman of Relendex, a new peer-to-peer internet lending business that specialises in the financing of commercial property. Peter is married to Rosanne, lives in Alderley Edge and has four children, all of whom have been educated at Terra Nova School.

		Virginia Halliwell Virginia was educated at St Leonards Mayfield School and the University of Manchester, where she read Law. She went on to become a Chartered Accountant and latterly worked as an investment banker in the North West with Merrill Lynch. Her son, James, was a pupil at Terra Nova and is now at Winchester College. Virginia has special responsibility on the Governing body for gifted and talented children. She is also a member of the Terra Nova Governors Finance Committee.

		Martin Hallam Martin is a solicitor and a partner in the international law firm DLA Piper. He has thirty years’ experience and has worked in Liverpool, Leicester, London, Manchester and latterly, Birmingham. Martin is married to Jane and has two children, Sophie and Max. Max is an Old Terra Novan and is currently at Uppingham School. In his spare time, Martin runs, plays golf and follows motorsport (formerly as a competitor in FF1600 but now mainly through family connections to the sport). Martin and his family live in Alderley Edge.

		Tony Smith Tony is married to Lesley and has three children Max, Tallulah and Theo, all of whom were educated at Terra Nova. Max and Tallulah are now at Sedbergh. Tony was educated at Bury Grammar School and has a degree in Law from Hull University. During his career in financial services he became a founder Director of J. Rothschild Assurance (now St. James’s Place). He has been a performance coach since 2001 and runs his own business, Conation Capital LLP, which advises families and businesses on asset protection and growth. Tony is a Founder and Trustee of The Legacy Foundation; he is a carer of, and fundraiser for, terminally ill children through Destination Florida; and he raises funds for Moneyspinners through completing significant cycling journeys. His hobbies include watching his children compete on the sports field and playing tennis. Tony is a member of the Terra Nova Governors Finance Committee.

		Sarah Taylor Sarah is married to John with two children, Sam and Emma. She lives in Ramsbottom, Lancashire but has connections with the local area: her father lived in Holmes Chapel and she was married in Over Peover church. Sarah is a Divisional HR Executive for Intertek Testing Services. A member of the division’s senior management team, the role is responsible for their setting and managing their global HR strategy. Sarah has more than thirteen years HR experience, with five years experience gained in International HR. She is a Chartered Member of the CIPD and has a Masters degree in Strategic Human Resources. In her spare time she enjoys cooking, endeavouring to learn languages relevant to her work, and is a job-coach for a homeless charity.

		David Walter After studying Fine Arts at Salford University, David joined the advertising industry as a global fashion photographer. In 1977 he founded the Photolink Creative Group, a privately owned creative communications agency based in Manchester. With nearly 100 employees Photolink offers services in commercial photography, graphic design, catalogue and brochure production, and digital media and web development. Photolink has also recently opened its own studios in Mumbai to serve European businesses expanding into India as well as local enterprises. David is married to Susan. They have four children all of whom have attended Terra Nova.

		Jacqui Wheeler Jacqui is a Chartered Surveyor who has previously worked for Milton Keynes Development Corporation, Hillier Parker in London and Steer Ethelston Rural Surveyors in Cheshire. Jacqui is married to Vaughan, lives on a farm near Sandbach and has two children; both of whom came to Terra Nova. One is now at Rugby and the other is at Shrewsbury School. She has special responsibility on the Governing body for Pre-Prep.

		Lucy Pearson Lucy is Head of Cheadle Hulme School, a post she has held since September 2010. Before that, she was Deputy Head at Wellington College, Berkshire for almost 5 years, Head of Sixth Form at Solihull School and began her teaching career as an English teacher and sports coach at Wolverhampton Grammar School. Lucy was educated at Oakham School and read English at Keble College, Oxford. In addition to her teaching career, Lucy is also a successful international sportswoman. She opened the bowling for the England Women’s Cricket Team from 1996 until 2005, achieving a world record in the Second Ashes Test at Sydney in 2003, as well as twice being named Player of the Year. She is also an accomplished musician, being a former member of the National Youth Choir.

		Carl Bilson Carl is the Bursar and Clerk to the Governors of Repton School. He has been a Bursar since 1994, having previously served for 15 years as an officer in the Royal Engineers. He read Engineering and Computer Science at Jesus College, Cambridge and later completed an MBA at the University of Nottingham. He is a Chartered Member of the Institute of Personnel and Development. Carl is married to Sue who is a teacher at small prep school in Derbyshire. Both their sons attended Repton.