Howard joined the Board of Governors at Exeter School in April 2025. He sits on the Finance and General Purposes Committee. This committee helps the school plan its finances and manage its resources wisely. As a result, it plays a key part in the school’s long-term health.
Howard knows Exeter School well, because he was once a pupil here. After leaving school, he earned a BSc (Hons) in Computer Science. He then trained and qualified as a Chartered Accountant with KPMG. That training gave him a strong grounding in finance, audit and sound decision-making.
From there, Howard built a long career in finance, investment banking and asset management. Most recently, he spent nine years at the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA). ADIA is one of the largest and most influential sovereign wealth funds in the world. There, he served as Senior Advisor to the Investment Committee. In this role, he advised on major investment and operational proposals. He also helped strengthen governance and long-term financial planning.
Now, Howard brings that experience to Exeter School. Governors oversee the whole school, from the Junior School through to the Senior School and Sixth Form. Their decisions shape the buildings, facilities and opportunities that pupils enjoy every day. Howard’s financial expertise helps the board make those decisions with care. In addition, his experience of good governance supports clear, careful planning for the future.
Howard also sees Exeter School from a parent’s point of view. He is married with two children. His eldest attended the sixth form at Exeter School. Meanwhile, his youngest is a current pupil in the Senior School. Consequently, he understands what families value and expect from an independent school in Devon.
After nearly a decade abroad, Howard and his family returned home to Devon. They came back to enjoy its beaches, open spaces and quality of life. Today, he is pleased to give something back to the school that gave him his own start.
Exeter School is an independent co-educational day school for children aged 3 to 18. Our governors give their time freely to help every pupil thrive.
