Dr Helen Wright, Chair
Helen is a former President of the Girls’ Schools Association and Vice-Chair of ISC, with three major headships under her belt. Since 2014, she has worked in international education, and advises, recruits and coaches senior leaders in schools across the world.
David Moncrieff, Vice Chair
David Moncrieff is the Chair of Independent School Parent magazine’s Editorial Advisory Board. A publisher specialising in education and heritage, David previously worked as Director of Marketing at Mayfield School and for more than 12 years as Director of Marketing Services at VisitBritain.
Charlotte Avery
Charlotte Avery is Principal of St Cuthbert’s College, New Zealand; she was previously Headmistress of St Mary’s School Cambridge, GSA Vice-President, and a Governor of Haileybury School, Mill Hill School and a local 11-16 MAT.
Durell Barnes
Durell Barnes is the former Chair of ISEB and Head of Governance and Compliance at RSAcademics, prior to which he spent many years as the public face of the Independent Schools Inspectorate.
Colin Bell
Colin Bell has been the CEO of the Council of British International Schools (COBIS) since 2010. He is also an appointed member of the ministerially chaired Department for International Trade/Department for Education Sector Advisory Group.
Louise Bennett
Louise is CEO of the Institute of Development Professionals in Education (IDPE), supporting schools to develop successful fundraising and engagement programmes, through providing training, guidance, benchmarking and partnership work across the schools’ sector. Lou has over 20 years’ experience of working across fundraising disciplines.
Tory Gillingham
Tory Gillingham is the CEO of AMCIS(Admissions, Marketing & Communications in Independent Schools) which has over 500 schools in membership. She has over 25 years marketing experience in the independent schools sector.
Gavin Horgan
Gavin Horgan joined as Headmaster of Millfield in Somerset from Worksop College, where he delivered academic turnaround. His earlier career included working in schools in Sri Lanka and Argentina before he returned to the UK as the Deputy Rector of The Glasgow Academy. Gavin has worked in senior management in the maintained, independent, and international sectors.
Irfan Latif
Irfan Latif is the Head of the Royal Hospital School, Suffolk; he was previously Principal at DLD College London.
Jim Massey
Jim Massey is Chair of Governors at Wellesley Prep School (formerly Daneshill Prep School, where he was Headmaster). Prior to this, he led prep schools and has worked across the independent sector.
Damian McBeath
Damian McBeath is Head of the John Wallis Church of England Academy and a Governor of Benenden, Kent School.
Hugo Middlemass
Hugo Middlemas is the Director of Development at Christ’s Hospital, West Sussex.
James Priory
James Priory joined Tonbridge School as Headmaster in 2018 from Portsmouth Grammar School. He’s known for his passion for the creative arts and for his commitment to widening access.
Julie Robinson
Julie Robinson is CEO of the Independent Schools Council. She was Head of Ardingly College Junior School and Vinehall Prep School, then Education and Training Director for the Independent Association of Preparatory Schools, before taking on her current role.
Melvyn Roffe
Melvyn Roffe is CEO of Clifton College; he was previously Principal of George Watson’s College and was Chair of HMC from 2022-23.
Philippa Scudds
Philippa Scudds is a chartered marketer, with over 25 years’ experience in marketing, communications and public relations. She spent 12 years in the City, and since 2004 has focused on the education sector, working with prep, senior and all-through schools.
Donna Stevens
Donna Stevens is Chief Executive Officer of the Girls’ Schools Association. She previously worked at the Independent Schools Council, leading their research department.
Abra Stoakley
Abra Stoakley is an experienced headteacher who has worked in schools in the United Kingdom and abroad. She was Head of School at Grange School Lagos, Nigeria until 2023, a post she held since January 2020.
Ben Vessey
Ben Vessey is the outgoing Head of Canford School, Dorset; he is Chair of the HMC Professional Development sub-committee and sits on the HMC Council.
David Walker
David Walker is Executive Director of the Boarding Schools’ Association (BSA).
