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About Us

Governors

Board of Governors

It is the Governors’ function to have responsibility for the long-term success and viability of the school and to support the Head and senior leadership team. Governors are non-executive and come from a range of backgrounds. The Governors are both trustees of the charity and directors of the limited company.

Their role is to:

  • Set the strategic direction for the school, ensuring its long-term success and viability
  • Provide guidance and support for the Head and the senior leadership team to ensure that the school provides the best possible education for both present and future pupils
  • Ensure effective control and management of the school’s finances
  • Ensure that the school complies with all relevant regulation

To contact the governors, please email clerk@exeterschool.org.uk.

Exeter School Governors

Gillian Hodgetts

Position:
Chair

Gillian is a former pupil of St Margaret’s School who studied in the sixth form at Exeter School. A Governor since March 2011, she is Chair of the Governors, Chair of the Governance Nominations and Remuneration Committee, and sits on the Finance and General Purposes Committee…READ MORE

Adrian Burbanks

Position:
Vice-Chair

Adrian is a former pupil who attended Exeter School from age 7 to 18. Outside the classroom he was very involved in the music department, CCF and school journalism and represented the school in rugby and chess. Adrian is…
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Catherine Gibaud

Position:
Vice-Chair

Catherine Gibaud is a KC, practising at Gray’s Inn and specialising in commercial litigation and advisory work. She became a Governor in March 2017, is Chair of the Welfare and Safeguarding Committee and sits on the Education Committee…READ MORE

Claire Baillie

Position:
Vice-Chair

Claire joined the board in March 2023, is Chair of the Education Committee and sits on the Welfare and Safeguarding Committee. Both her children attended Exeter School. Claire has over 40 years’ experience of education both as a serving practitioner and in a number of leadership…

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Helen Clark

Position:
Governor

Helen has been a Governor since March 2011. She sits on the Welfare and Safeguarding and Education Committees. Helen is an outdoor pursuits expert who has represented The Ski Club of Great Britain in…

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Howard Dyer

Position:
Governor

Howard was appointed as a Governor in April 2025 and serves on the Finance and General Purposes Committee. He is a former pupil of Exeter School, holds a BSc (Hons) in Computer Science and qualified as a…

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Gregory Lachas

Position:
Governor

Gregory was appointed as a Governor in April 2025 and sits on the Finance and General Purposes Committee. Gregory holds a BA in science, Masters in both business law and…

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Katherine Lloyd Clark

Position:
Governor

Katherine joined the governing body in March 2025 and sits on the Education Committee. She leads the Student Access, Recruitment and Admissions Service at the University of Exeter. Her career…

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Stephen Hodder

Position:
Governor

Brigadier Stephen P Hodder BSc (Hons) joined the Governing Body in June 2015 and sits on the Welfare and Safeguarding Committee. He is a former pupil of the school and is the Honorary Colonel of the Exeter School Combined Cadet Force. Following…READ MORE

Dominic Kalantary

Position:
Governor

Dominic became a governor in 2022 and sits on the Finance and General Purposes Committee. Educated at Trent College, he studied Economics and Politics at the University of Exeter, developing his kills in preparation for working in the managerial team…READ MORE

Richard May

Position:
Governor

Richard May became a Governor in 2016. He grew up in Plymouth and has lived and worked in Devon for most of his life. He sits on the Finance and General Purposes Committee. Following 3 years at Swansea University reading…

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David McGahey

Position:
Governor

David joined the board in May 2020 and sits on the Education Committee. He was Director of Education for Buckinghamshire until 2000, having previously worked for five other Local Education Authorities. He was himself once a teacher. From 2001 he was Managing Director successively of a number of Education businesses: Amey Education, VT…READ MORE

Michael Johnson

Position:
Governor

Mike is the CEO of Chulmleigh Academy Trust and Headteacher of Chulmleigh College, a position he has held since 2004. He sits on the Education Committee. After reading history at The University College, Bangor, Mike completed a PGCE at The…

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Ikenna (IK) Iroche

Position:
Governor

IK became a governor in November 2023 and sits on the Welfare and Safeguarding Committee.  He was a pupil of the school from 1993 to 1995 and was active in the CCF in addition to representing the school in rugby…

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Exeter School Family Society Summer Fete

Come along and join the fun at our Family Society fete on Saturday 7 June. We’ll have stallholders promoting local businesses, some run by families in our school community. We’ll be supporting our school’s chosen charity, Hospiscare.

Click here to find out more