Governors

Mr J B H Geffen (Chairman)

Mrs K Allen BSc (Hons), PGCE

Mrs C L Betts BA Hons, NPQH

Mr J Ebsworth BA

Mr D R Evans MA

Mrs I Gunner BEd (Hons) Cantab

Mrs S L Hunt MA, LL.M

Mr T R Johns BA, PGCE

Mr T D Jones RIBA

Mr I P Waller FCA 

Mrs C Winchcombe

Mr T G N Woodhouse ACII

 

 

Communication: In the first instance communication should always be through the Bursar although an avenue of contact to the Governors is also open through the Chairman, Mr James Geffen, and letters can be addressed to him via the School Office.

Committees: The Governors have three committees: the Finance & General Purposes Committee (F&GPC) the Education & Pastoral Care Committee (EPCC) and the Governance Committee.

Mrs Kate Allen - Appointed: July 2023
Kate is a member of the F&GPC and EPCC

, bringing experience in education and in business management. Having enjoyed a 24-year career in independent prep schools, with experience as a aHead, Director of Studies and Mathematics specialsit, she then led ISEB (the Independent Schools Examination Board) as its Chief Executive, from 2016 until her retirement in 2021. A keen walker and runner, Kate also sings in two choirs and is closely involved in her village church.

Mrs Carolyn Betts - Appointed: July 2022                                                                                            Carolyn is the Nominated Governor for safeguarding, and is a member of the EPCC. Having enjoyed a 30 year career in the state primary school sector, she brings wide experience of teaching and leadership to the role.  Carolyn qualified at Warwick University and went on to teach in a range of schools for both Hampshire and Surrey Local Authorities, culminating in 15 years as head teacher of a happy and oversubscribed Church of England junior school, until her retirement in 2017. Carolyn is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children. As a designated safeguarding lead for many years, she gained a comprehensive working knowledge of national safeguarding policy and compliance.  Carolyn is a keen gardener and enjoys volunteering at the community café at Busbridge Church, where she is a member with her husband Alan. 

Mr Jonathan Ebsworth - Appointed: December 2021
Jonathan is a member of the EPCC and brings a focus on the use of technology in learning. He has spent his working life applying technology to solve business problems, and building teams to develop and operate these systems. He now runs a small consulting business with his wife, which helps commercial business and non-profit organisations take advantage of technological innovation while keeping human needs central in the design and use of these systems. He co-founded an organisation to explore issues at the intersections of technology, humanity and faith, TechHuman.org. He and his wife Linda, together with their two daughters attend Emmaus Road Church in Guildford.

Mr David Evans - Appointed: June 2022
David is Chairman of the EPCC,  a recently retired schoolmaster, having taught Classics at Bradfield and Dean Close for 34 years, as well as undertaking a range of middle management and senior leadership roles. These included boarding housemaster, head of department, director of studies and finally director of external relations. He is married to Kate, a retired nurse, and they have two daughters.

Mr James Geffen - Appointed: April 2018
James is Chair of Governors, Interim Chair of the Governance Committee and previously Chaired the Admissions and Marketing Committee. James’ professional career included 35 years in Financial Services as a Senior Partner, Group Board Director and Head of Reinsurance at Miller LLP. Other roles include Board Director and Trustee of The Prince’s Trust, Chair of Guildford Cricket Club and a member of various MCC Committees, including as an Advisor to the MCC Foundation. James is an OA and his two sons both attended Aldro, going on to Tonbridge and then Newcastle and Exeter Universities.

Mrs Iona Gunner - Appointed: September 2020
Iona is a member of the EPCC and Governance committee. She read Education and English at Cambridge and then, for 30 years, educated and nurtured children aged 2-13 in London, Surrey and Hampshire in the state and independent sector. In her previous roles of Head of Juniors at Aldro, Head of Lower School and Head of Digital Learning, her focus was on analysing current practice and overseeing change. She has now embraced a new career path and utilises her counselling training and pastoral care skills through working for a Youth Counselling Service. She is currently completing a Masters Degree in Integrative Counselling and Psychotherapy for Children, Adolescents and Families.

Mrs Sarah Hunt - Appointed: September 2017
Sarah is a member of the F&GPC - She read law at Downing College, Cambridge and was called to the Bar at the Middle Temple. She is a member of chambers at 7 Kings Bench Walk and specialises in all areas of commercial law.  Sarah is married to Andy, who is the Housemaster of Lockites, Charterhouse. They have four young children.

Mr Tim Johns - Appointed: April 2018
Tim is Past Chair of Governors and a member of the EPCC. Headmaster of The Hawthorns School, Bletchingley,  for 23 years (500+ pupils, co-ed, aged 3-13 / near Reigate, Surrey), until his retirement in 2015. Chairman of IAPS Council 2011-12 and ISI inspector. Strong on personal / professional development, he has overseen significant school improvements and brings a wealth of experience in prep school leadership, change management and commitment to the Christian aims of Aldro. He is a keen sportsman, musician and family man. Tim's wife Evelyn is French so they live part of the year in France.

Mr Tom Jones RIBA - Appointed: November 2020
Tom is the Property Governor and a member of the F&GPC – Educated at the Welsh School of Architecture in Cardiff, he is a Senior Principal in the London office of Populous. He is Vice President of the International Association of Sports and Leisure Facilities (IAKS) and a member of the International Union of Architects (UIA) Sports and Leisure Work Programme. He and his wife Debs help to run Pre-Marriage courses at Godalming Minster and they have two sons who have both attended Aldro.

Mr Ian Waller FCA - Appointed: November 2020
Ian chairs the F & GPC - Ian was a senior audit partner and Vice Chairman at Deloitte. Ian is a trustee of Marie Curie where he chairs the audit and risk committee. He is also a director of a Guildford youth charity, and a fund trustee at Charterhouse school. Ian lives in Guildford and is married with two daughters and a son (who attended Aldro)

Mrs Catherine Winchcombe - Appointed: November 2023
Catherine is a member of the EPCC - Catherine trained in primary education at Homerton College, Cambridge. She has worked in the state, international and independent sectors and is currently Head of Prep at Monkton Combe School. She has two grown up daughters and is married to Simon who is ordained and serves in a church in Bath which they both attend. . 

Mr Tim Woodhouse - Appointed: April 2018
Tim is a member of the F&GPC - A senior underwriter for Markel, specialising in international war and terrorism insurance. He is an OA, a recent parent and a former Chairman of the Old Aldronian Association.  Tim is married to Emily and father to three boys, two of whom left Aldro to Stowe and Charterhouse.