Our Board of Governors is a highly committed and hard-working team, including present and former parents, who give their time freely to support the College’s leadership in delivering our strategic, business, and educational developments.
Our Board oversees five sub-committees, each with its own Chair. These are: Wellbeing, Education, Finance, Estates, and Promotions.
All correspondence for the Chairman of Governors should be sent to:
Abbey Gate College Saighton Grange Saighton Chester CH3 6EN
Since graduating from Cardiff University (BSc Economics), Gareth has spent more than 15 years working within executive recruitment for the Pharmaceutical industry around the world and has run his own business for more than 10 years.
He has a particular interest in skills and career development. He works with several international universities to deliver career planning advice to postgraduate students, and provides career coaching to senior professionals within the pharmaceutical and healthcare industries.
Gareth currently has two children at Abbey Gate College and is also an active member of our PTA.
James Brown
Vice Chair of Governors, Chair of Finance Committee; EDI, and GDPR Governor
A Chartered Engineer and a Fellow of the Institution of Chemical Engineers, James also achieved an MBA from Manchester Business School.
With a breadth of experience, both in the UK and overseas, James is currently an Executive Coach and also volunteers as a Governor at Mill View Primary School in Upton.
James’s son attended Abbey Gate College, and we are fortunate that James felt able to generously offer his time and his skills to the Abbey Gate College Board of Governors.
Brian Wake
Member of Estates Committee
A local solicitor, by profession, Brian was admitted onto the roll in 1978.
After re-locating to Chester in 1987, he chose Abbey Gate College for his children and his involvement with the College began when he served on the Abbey Gate College Social Committee for four years.
Brian felt a connection to the College, after his children graduated, having appreciated the quality of education they had received, both academically and pastorally.
His legal background, his wealth of experience and his unwavering devotion to all things rugby league, make Brian a much appreciated member of the Abbey Gate College Board of Governors alongside his role of Company Secretary.
Valerie Bounds
Chair of Promotions Committee
An Alumni herself, and with a long standing connection with the school, Valerie is delighted that her younger son is now a student at Abbey Gate College.
She retains a strong connection with the school herself through the alumni choir and is enjoying supporting growing the Old Saightonians network.
Valerie is co-founder of a multi-award winning creative agency, Aurora, based in Liverpool & London. Beginning her career in digital in the 1990s, Valeire been leading brand, creative & marketing strategy for global clients for nearing 30 years – working with major brands such as MSN, AMEX, Universal Music, Deloitte and Ford. She is also a regular writer, presenter and panelist for the industry, as well as an awards judge for Campaign, BIMAs and the DADI Awards.
A STEM ambassador, Valerie is a passionate advocate and campaigner for equality, with a particular interest in supporting gender equality and social mobility.
Vanessa Brodie
Chair of Wellbeing Committee; Safeguarding, EYFS and Allergy Governor
Vanessa grew up in Cheshire and was educated at West Heath School in Kent. She attended Trinity College of Music, studying piano and singing, prior to studying her PGCE at Manchester University. She taught at The City of London School for Girls before marrying and moving to North Wales. She continued to teach in the infant/foundation phase of a Welsh primary school until retirement.
Vanessa’s two daughters went to Abbey Gate College, where her husband Adam is a trustee, which provided them with a rounded education and the confidence to flourish in the world of work.
She is a Governor of The Maelor Church Schools Federation and is responsible for Safeguarding. Additionally, she is a trustee and chair of the committee that runs the pre-school.
She is a trustee and Safeguarding Officer of the Mission Area of Maelor and is the safeguarding officer for St Chad’s Church, Hanmer. Vanessa sings in two choirs, enjoys being a grandmother, swimming, and walking her dog.
She is very much enjoying being a trustee and board member of Abbey Gate College as the Safeguarding and EYFS governor.
James Goddard
Chair of Estates Committee
A former student, James brings experience of building relationships with clients and professionals, brand promotion, and networking amongst other business professionals to our Promotions Committee.
James is a local solicitor and chairs the Cheshire division of the Agricultural Law Association. He has a particular interest in developing links with our Old Saightonians.
James’ three children attend Abbey Gate College, and his first-hand experience of the benefits that the College brings to its students has inspired him to give his time selflessly to support the Abbey Gate Board of Governors.
Damian Stenhouse
Chair of Education Committee; ECT, SEND and MAGaT Governor, Chair of JCNC
Starting his career as a Teacher of Physics, Damian has been involved in education for over 40 years.
He is Vice-Chair of the Bridge School in Ellesmere Port and Trustee of The Learning Trust, a multi-academy trust, for whom he chairs the Quality of Education board.
Before he retired in 2019, Damian was the Head of Christleton High School and now also devotes his time and extensive experience to the Abbey Gate College Board of Governors.
Emma Bunting
Finance Committee Member
A qualified accountant and business leader, with over 15 years’ experience at Board level, Emma is Director of Finance and Operations at Bute House Preparatory School in London, having moved on from her role as Director of Finance and Resources at the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra.
Emma’s involvement with the Learning & Engagement department within the CBSO and the Shireland CBSO Academy, the first ever state-funded specialist music school, further emphasises her passion for education.
She was a Business Mentor for the Prince’s Trust for 10 years.
Emma is a former student of Abbey Gate College. Prior to joining the Board she chaired the Development Committee, which raised funds for the All-Weather Pitch, currently in use at the College.
Andrew Chadwick
Member of Education Committee; Careers Lead
In 2006 Andrew moved to London to establish a new centre for the College of Law, focussing on the training of solicitors for the “magic circle” law firms which are based in the City of London. He left the Abbey Gate College Board at this time.
Eventually Andrew left the College of Law and joined another organisation specialising in training lawyers, accountants and other business professionals. He was involved in a private equity funded buy in and sell out of that company and upon the sale in 2022 he retired from legal education and law. He is very pleased to have rejoined the Board of Abbey Gate.
In addition to volunteering for a number of charities, Andrew works as a guide in Central London and is responsible for training guides at St Paul’s Cathedral, Westminster Abbey and the Tower of London.
Lynne Horner
Promotions Committee Member
Lynne has enjoyed a full career in education, including 17 years at Rydal School in North Wales teaching history, sport and leading careers, before being appointed Deputy Head. In 2006 she became Head of Abbey Gate College, enjoying seven happy years in Cheshire.
Lynne moved to a second headship at Westholme School in Lancashire from 2013 – 2020, until stepping down to focus on her own work as an educational consultant and executive coach. Lynne also enjoys working as the independent school policy specialist for the Association of School and College Leaders, inspecting schools for ISI and supporting various governing bodies and schools through consultancy improvement.
The community spirit ethos of Abbey Gate and Aldford resonates strongly with Lynne’s educational philosophy, where children and young people are encouraged to discover their strengths through building confidence and a sense of responsibility. She brings a wealth of educational experience and sector knowledge to her role as Governor on the Abbey Gate College Board and is delighted to return to serve the community.
Canon Rosie Woodall
Member of Wellbeing Committee; RSE Lead
Rosie has been Vice Dean and Canon for Worship and Spirituality at Chester Cathedral since May 2023. Before that, she worked as Chaplain to the Bishops of Leicester and Chelmsford and was a parish priest in Gloucestershire. She grew up in Jersey in the Channel Islands and studied Wildlife Biology at Newcastle University, before working in Marketing and Events in the university sector until ordination.
