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The Aldenham Foundation Governing Body

Click on the tabs to find out about each of our Governors.

Mrs S Altman
Mr Richard Bryer
Mrs Cheryl Clifford
Ms F Cuttell
Dr J Hawdon
Mr A Hunter
Mr J James-Crook
Cllr D Lambert
Mr A Phillips
Mr C Rees
Ms H Simmons
Mr T Sligo-Young
Mr J Staughton
Mrs H Thomas
Mr D Tidmarsh
Commodore Nick Tindal
Mr T Wells

Mrs Sarah Altman (Chair of Governors) is a former parent of Aldenham, who had both a son and a daughter at the School. She is a Chartered Accountant who has worked both within the charity sector and for many years as Director of a property company.

Mrs Altman can be contacted via chair@aldenham.com

Richard Bryer is a former parent, who had a son and then a daughter at the school. He is a Chartered Quantity Surveyor, who has over 30 years' experience within the construction sector and was one of the senior partners at Gardiner & Theobald LLP, until he retired in 2021.

Mrs Cheryl Clifford is a former Aldenham parent and Chair of Aldenham School Parents Association 2016-2021. With a background in international retail franchising she currently works for Amazon U.K., leading the Professional Services team for Amazon Business.

Ms Fiona Cuttell is a former pupil of Aldenham. A Chartered Secretary, she is Head of Non-Financial Reporting at Haleon plc. Her responsibilities include the delivery of Haleon's Annual Report and Form 20-F.

Dr Jane Hawdon is a medical director and consultant neonatologist at Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust. She has been a member of the Independent Reconfiguration Panel and NICE guideline development groups, and of the board of trustees of the charities Bliss and Noah’s Ark Children’s Hospice. She is a qualified coach and facilitator. Her 3 children were Aldenham pupils.

Mr Andrew Hunter is an Old Aldenhamian. He attended the school from 1972-1977. As a schoolteacher, he worked at Worksop College, Notts and Bradfield College, Berks and he was the Headmaster of Merchiston Castle School, Edinburgh from 1998-2018. He has experience of governorship of independent schools, a Multi Academy Trust and charities. He continues to play a non-executive role as a governor (and honorary head) of Merchiston International School, MIS, Shenzhen, China. He also helps Saxton Bampfylde, the Executive Search and Leadership Advisory Firm.

Mr James James-Crook is a former pupil of Aldenham and the son and brother of former OAs. He is currently President of the OA Society; former Editor OA Review; Past Chair of the Letchmore Trust and currently, Secretary. With over forty years’ experience in 20th C British and Irish Art, mostly as a Director with Phillips Fine Art Auctioneers, he was also responsible for business development in Australia, Ireland and South Africa. He is now an independent Fine Art Consultant and Valuer. He is a Freeman of the City of London and Liveryman of the Fletchers’ Company.

Councillor David Lambert is the Hertfordshire County Council representative on the governing body. His son was educated at Aldenham.

Mr Alan Phillips is a former pupil of Aldenham (1977-82). Alan is a Divisional Director of investment managers - Brewin Dolphin.

Mr Chris Rees is a former parent of Aldenham with over 25 years' experience within the International Service sector, most recently at Hogan Lovells as Director of Finance.

Ms Harriet Simmons is an Independent Food Safety/Food Law Consultant. She was formerly a General Manager at SAI Global Assurance Services and a Technical Director for Connaught Plc.

Mr Torquil Sligo-Young is Human and Information Resources Director of Young and Co Brewery. He is also a Board member of Ashcroft Academy and a Trustee of Prospect Educational Trust.

Mr James Staughton is the Upper Warden of the Brewers’ Company and in this capacity serves as one of the appointed Brewers’ Governors.

Heather Thomas is a highly experienced employment and commercial lawyer with over 23 years’ experience working in private practice as a partner which includes ten years working as a member of the Management Board with responsibility for marketing, business development and commercial management. Heather has supported the Foundation in a professional capacity when she was a partner at her previous law firm.

Mr David Tidmarsh (Vice Chair) was the Headmaster of St Martin’s Preparatory School in Northwood until summer 2019. He is now a Consultant specialising in the education sector.

Commodore Nick Tindal RN Retd
Clerk to the Worshipful Company of Brewers’.
Having recently retired from the Royal Navy after a distinguished career, Cdre Tindal has been appointed as a Governor of the Aldenham Foundation. His interests include tennis, half marathons, Chelsea FC, walking, fishing, reading and an obsession with Irish rugby.

Mr Tom Wells was a Vice Chairman of Charles Wells Ltd and Chairman of Muntons plc. He was High Sheriff of Bedfordshire and served on the All Party Parliamentary Beer Group.