Governors

Charles became a Governor in March 2018 and was elected Chair in June 2018.  He chairs the Strategy and Development Committee and is an ex-officio member of the other three governor committees.  Charles has lived in and around Henley all his life and played cricket, hockey and rugby for the town.  Recently retired, he spent a career in finance and general management at Ford, Elf, Avis, National Power and Prudential.  A keen sportsman, he continues to play competitive hockey for Reading and enjoys tennis, fly fishing and walking.  Charles has two daughters and a son who all attended Rupert House.

Alison became a Governor in March 2018.  She chairs the Risk and Governance Committee.  She trained and worked as a solicitor in London before spending over 9 years working in Reading as a partner of a City law firm with a branch in the Thames Valley.  She has lived in the Henley area for 25 years.  Alison has a daughter and a son who both attended Rupert House.  Alison was Chair of the Friends of Rupert House from 2006 to 2008.  She enjoys walking, playing tennis and sailing.

Michelle is a local GP and is responsible for overseeing safeguarding at Rupert House.  She has four children (three sons and a daughter), all of whom have attended Rupert House with her daughter still a current pupil. Her children all love sport so she spends a lot of her time watching rugby, football, cricket, gymnastics and ballet.

Paul became a Governor in March 2017 and chairs the Finance and Operations Committee. He is a retired Chartered Accountant, who qualified with Whinney Murray, and then spent thirty years working for Lloyds Bank in the City head office.  He is married, with three children and five grandchildren, and has lived in and around Henley for over forty years. His interests are golf, field sports, gardening and walking.

Hugh became a Governor in November 2018.  He is a member of the Finance and Operations Committee and shares oversight for Safeguarding at Rupert House with Dr Michelle Brennan.  Hugh is one of the Principals of Claires Court (the other is his brother, James) where he has been Bursar since 1980.  He is married to Sheena (Head of Nursery at Claires Court) and they have four daughters, all now fully fledged and flown the nest!

Gill became a Governor in March 2014 and was elected as Chair of the Education Committee in November 2015. Gill has been a teacher for over 30 years and has recently retired as Deputy Head – Teaching and Learning at Queen Anne’s School, Caversham. In her role at Queen Anne’s, Gill was actively involved in strategic development and educational initiatives. Gill enjoys keeping fit, walking and travelling.

John read English Literature at Cambridge University.  He has over 30 years of high level experience in communications agencies – both within and outside London and is the Managing Director of a creative agency based in Caversham.  He is a member of the Worshipful Company of Marketors.  He educated 2 daughters and a son at Rupert House.  A keen sportsman, he plays tennis and golf and is President of Wallingford Hockey Club.

Mike became a Governor in June 2019 and sits on the Education Committee. He read History at Cambridge University before a career in teaching. He taught at Kingston Grammar School, University College School and St Paul's School. Mike was Head of History at all these schools before becoming an Undermaster and part of the SMT at St Paul's. He is married with a daughter and three sons. On retirement he has returned to Oxfordshire. Mike has always been a keen cricketer and is President of Moreton CC. He is also an enthusiastic golfer and follower of Oxford United.

Nick became a governor in 2020. He has lived in Henley for 13 years with his wife and two children, both of whom attended RH and are very sporty. He splits his time between advising a leading hedge fund on performance and well being and his clinical work at the Princess Grace Hospital in London, as a consultant osteopath, in an orthopaedic and neurosurgical centre. He is a published author and has a special interest in paediatric and adolescent problems. He is passionate about education, development and performance in young people.An ex-rugby player himself, he coached at Henley rugby club for 8 years.  

Catriona Hassall became a governor in 2020.  She is a consultant psychologist, affiliate member of the British Psychologist Society and registered with the HCPC. She has worked extensively with schools, children and young people supporting their learning and well being for the last 20 years. Her time is divided between her private practice based in Windsor and Re:Focus a dedicated ADHD/ Executive Function coaching service. Her main interests are based in developing and enhancing resilience and confidence in school aged students. She has been involved in active research, is often interviewed for national publications and works as an expert witness in court. She is passionate about art, literature, yoga and the value of creativity.