Governors

Lisa became a Governor in 2023 and chaired the Finance and Property Committee until July 2025 when she became Chair of Governors.

Lisa is an experienced treasurer, accountant and financial markets professional combining two decades of knowledge in treasury, corporate finance, and risk management expertise with a talent for innovation.

As co-founder of Dukes & King, Lisa channels her expertise into helping organisations optimise and manage their financial risk strategies effectively. She is active in sharing corporate best practice, supporting professional bodies, drafting various articles and publications as well as chairing and presenting at a number of panels, webinars and conferences.

Lisa is a member of the UK’s FX Joint Standing Committee chaired by the Bank of England, the UK’s private sector representative to the Global FX Committee, chair of the Global Committee’s Motivation for Adherence Working Group and is also a member of the ACI’s UK Executive Committee.

 Lisa has a daughter and a son who both attend Read School.

Graeme was appointed as a Governor and a member of the Finance and Property Committee in 2022 before becoming Vice-Chair of Governors and Chair of the Finance & Audit Committee in 2025.

Graeme was a day pupil at Read School between 1986 and 1993.   

Graeme qualified as a chartered accountant in 2000 and is currently Chief Financial Officer of Van Elle Holdings plc, a ground engineering company listed on AIM.

He was previously the Group Financial Controller of Severfield plc, one of the largest structural steel companies in Europe, and has spent his career in finance positions across a range of industrial businesses, including latterly as Group CFO for ASX-listed international engineering services business Engenco Limited.

David became a Governor in 2020 and is a member of the Finance and Audit and People, Legal and Data Committees.

He boarded at Read School for four years, becoming Head Boy. In 1966 he graduated in aeronautics and astronautics and joined the aircraft industry, eventually becoming Commercial Manager for the HS125 executive jet.

 He then switched into banking and spent about 10 years with each of Citicorp Investment Bank and Royal Bank of Canada.

Then, shortly after joining Lloyds Bank, he was seconded for two years to head the UK’s regulation of securities markets, such as the Stock Exchange. On returning to the bank, he was appointed to the Board and ran the wholesale and international division. On retirement from full-time work, he was elected Deputy Chairman of the Lloyds Banking Group and chaired the Board’s Risk Committee.

More recently, he has chaired or served as a non-executive director of a number of companies, including Scottish Widows, Allied Irish Banks, Songbird Estates (owner of Canary Wharf), Morgan Stanley Card Services and Euromoney Institutional Investor.

 He also serves on the Board of Cleveland Clinic Philanthropy. 

Richard has been a governor since 2020 and is a member of the Education, Teaching and Learning Committee.

Following his A-levels, Richard left Read School in 1996 and enrolled as an undergraduate student at the University of Leicester. Here he received both B.A. (1999) and MSc (2001) degrees in Human Geography, before undertaking a PhD in Economic Geography. In 2005 he was awarded the degree of Doctor of Philosophy.

Following two years at The University of Warwick as a Research Associate, Richard was employed as a Lecturer in Human Geography by Sheffield Hallam University. His main teaching and research agenda explores a broad range of critical, ethical, environmental and activist geographies. His research findings have been published widely, and this led to him being promotion to Reader/ Associate Professor in 2015. He currently sits on a number of Editorial Boards, and is an active member of The Research Advisory Committee for the UK Vegan Society.

Any time outside of academia is spent enjoying the company of his family, or growing fruit and vegetables on his ‘no-dig’ allotment plot.

Jane joined as governor in 2025 and is a member of the Education, Teaching and Learning Committee.

Jane's father and brother attended Read School as pupils and her family have been associated with the school in various capacities for many years.  Jane is currently a Trustee of the Moloney Trust, which supports Arts and Music in the school and was previously a Director/Governor of Read School, with particular responsibility for Safeguarding and Inclusive Learning, Boarding and the Pre-Prep school.

Jane retired in 2007 from being the Head Teacher of an Infant, Nursery and Children’s Centre in Pontefract for 16 years, having previously been a class teacher in primary schools for 15 years, both in the Wakefield Authority and in Hull.

Jane is a passionate music enthusiast who enjoys both listening to a wide range of live and recorded performances and playing the clarinet and saxophone. A keen reader with diverse literary interests, she is also an active member of her local Anglican church community.

Her love of the outdoors is reflected in her enjoyment of walking and her membership with the National Trust. Jane also practices yoga, appreciates theatre, and finds joy in cooking, sharing good food, and engaging in games and quizzes.

Sarah became a Governor in 2025 and is the Chair of the People, Legal and Data Committee, a member of the Safeguarding and Governance Committee and was one of the co-founders of Read’s support group for parents of neurodiverse children.

Sarah is the Managing Partner of ESP Solicitors Limited which is an SRA regulated law firm that specialises in employment law. Sarah has almost three decades of experience of employment law, acting for large and small organisations, in all sectors for several reputable regional UK law firms.

Sarah has worked for ESP since 2013 and heads up the ESP Group of companies, which includes ESP Solicitors. With Sarah’s specialist guidance and understanding, businesses can ensure that their people, processes, and technology remain at the forefront of their operations, making ER a top strategic priority. Sarah, and the team of solicitors at ESP handle hundreds of enquiries each week, ranging from complex, commercial advice to handling tribunal claims and project work, engaging with senior HR professionals daily, providing expert legal support on a wide range of workplace issues.

In her spare time Sarah supports local organisations with their fundraising efforts by volunteering at events such as Howden Show, Howden AFC football Club, concerts at Selby Abbey, Howden St Peters Scouts, socialising with friends and going to the theatre.

She also has twin boys who attend Read School.

Kim became a Governor in 2022 and is the Lead Safeguarding Governor and Chair of the Safeguarding Committee.

Kim has had almost two decades of strategy development and process mapping in health and social care, ensuring safeguarding of children and vulnerable adults.

She worked as a consultant to over 100 councils and social care organisations in England and Wales to review service provision and quality.

Kim also spent six years working in Social Services Inspectorate (SSI, DoH) and Commission for Social Care Inspection (CSCI) with responsibility for the national assessment process for Adults and Children's Social Care, and the transition of Children’s social care systems to Ofsted.

 She was responsible for the Child Protection Database with SSI and CSCI, recording and monitoring serious case review progress.

She also has a son at Read School.

James became a governor in 2025 and is Vice-Chair of the Property and Health & Safety Committee.

James has worked in the construction industry for 28 years and has a variety of experience form period renovations to new build projects.

Currently working as a project manager for one of the largest construction companies in the UK, specialising in the healthcare and education sectors responsible for the safe and efficient delivery of projects within live working environments.

His past experience ranges from university extensions and lab construction, conversion of a bank to a Maths and science school and a Maternity ward and Theatre fit out.

James has two children at Read School.

Ryan became a governor in 2025 and is Chair of the Property and Health & Safety Committee and a member of the Marketing and Communications Committee.

Ryan is a multi-award-winning entrepreneur, technologist, and thought leader in engineering compliance and risk. As one of the youngest Fellows of the Institute of Engineering and Technology (IET), he is recognised for both technical excellence and transformative leadership in the UK housing and PropTech sectors.

He is the founder and CEO of The Compliance Workbook (TCW), a pioneering software platform that ensures engineering compliance, data risk management, and operational accountability. Under his leadership, TCW has become a trusted solution in a complex regulatory landscape, earning accolades for innovation and impact.

Ryan is also the principal author of key publications on compliance in UK housing and is known for championing clarity and innovation in data-led risk management.

His earlier career spans the UK Military, policing, and electrical work - experiences that shaped his practical understanding of operational risk and inspired the creation of TCW’s AI-driven platform.

He is also a parent of three children at Read School.

Ruth became a Governor in 2025 and is a member of the Safeguarding and Governance Committee and Deputy Safeguarding Governor.

Ruth studied Medicine at University of Sheffield and completed postgraduate training in hospitals across Yorkshire before becoming a Consultant Haematologist at Doncaster and Bassetlaw NHS Foundation Trust in 2017. Ruth also has additional roles including Clinical Governance Lead for Haematology and the trust Chief Medical Examiner. These roles have given her wide-ranging experience of safeguarding requirements and strategic leadership with many different stakeholders.

Outside work, Ruth volunteers as a Scout Team Leader with a local Scout troop. She is also a keen runner and enjoys hill walking and camping with her family.

Ruth has two daughters who attend Read School. 

Brian became a governor in 2025 and is Chair of the Education, Teaching and Learning (ETL) Committee.

Brian began his education at Drax Grammar School in the early 1960s before training as a teacher at Newland Park College, affiliated with Oxford University. He graduated with a First Class Certificate in 1968 and earned a B.Ed. (Hons) from Reading University in 1969.

His teaching career began in Hertfordshire, followed by eight fulfilling years at Avenue Middle School in Norwich. In 1979, he became Deputy Head at Horsford Middle School, during which he completed an M.A. in Curriculum Studies at the University of East Anglia.

In 1985, Brian was appointed Head Teacher at Halesworth Middle School. Under his leadership, the school grew significantly and gained national recognition for excellence in the arts. Notable achievements include the 1990 Jerwood Award for outstanding service to education and the school choir’s Outstanding Performance Award at the Royal Festival Hall in 1996. He also celebrated the recognition of his Head of English, Jill Pirrie, who was awarded an M.B.E.

Now retired, Brian enjoys gardening, golf, and time with his grandchildren. He chairs a local charity, helps maintain the village churchyard, and continues to study English history and enjoy classical music and musicals. 

Tracy became a Governor in 2023 and is Chair of the Marketing and Communications Committee and member of the Safeguarding and Governance Committee.

Tracy graduated from the University of Hull with an English and American History degree, before starting her career as part of the Asda graduate programme. During her time at Asda, Tracy held multiple roles in merchandising, retail and marketing operations and communications. In 2012, Tracy and her family moved to Arkansas, USA, to work for Wal-Mart. In this time, Tracy held the position of Academy Strategy and Communication Director, supporting Walmart to design and deliver in person associate training in every state.

Having returned to the U.K., Tracy now leads the Asda Foundation, Asda’s corporate charity.

Tracy’s youngest daughter attends Read School. 

Jon joined as a Governor in 2023 and is a member of the Property and Health & Safety Committee.

With over two decades of experience in health and safety, Jon is a Chartered Member of IOSH (CMIOSH) and holds an MSc in Occupational Health and Safety Management and a BSc in Environmental Health Studies. His career began in 1997 with the Royal Army Medical Corps (RAMC) as an Environmental Health Practitioner, covering food hygiene, public health, and occupational safety across military and civilian communities in Germany, the Middle East, East Africa, the Balkans, and Belize.

Following a full military career, they transitioned to civilian roles including Safety Manager at the National Railway Museum, Safety Consultant for a national firm, and Safety Advisor for City of York Council - supporting 30 schools and serving as the Educational Visits Adviser. During this time, Jon qualified as a fire risk assessor and led annual fire safety reviews across York schools. During the COVID-19 pandemic, he rejoined the Army Reserves to develop and deliver safety protocols for remote deployments with HQ Field Army, while completing a top-up degree in Environmental Health.

Currently serving as Safety Officer for Vue Cinema, Jon oversees security, health and safety and food hygiene audits across 91 national sites, analyse incidents, and develop company-wide food hygiene policies in collaboration with Primary Authority partners.

Outside of work, Jon enjoys hill walking, military history, bushcraft, trail running and Ultra Marathons. Jon shares the love of the outdoors with his wife and daughter (who attends Read School) and their lab-collie cross.

Jane became a Governor in 2024 and is a member of the Marketing and Communications and ETL Committees.

Jane's career has been based in the engineering and energy sector.  She has worked at Drax Power Station since 2013 in corporate social responsibility.  As Foundation manager, Jane oversees global charitable giving, governance and social impact reporting.

Alongside Jane's main role she has volunteered or worked part time as a youth worker, Duke of Edinburgh Leader, and currently volunteers as a parish councillor.

In her spare time Jane likes to play the alto saxophone and enjoys sailing.

She also has a daughter at Read School.