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Governance
The trustees (governors) of Hockerill Anglo-European College have responsibility for raising school standards through their three key roles of setting strategic direction, ensuring accountability and acting as a critical friend.
The full governing body meets three times per year, and on further occasions if required. The main committees listed below meet termly.
| Committee | Chair |
| Audit & Risk | Richard Johnson |
| Quality of Education | Stephen Beach |
| Safeguarding and Boarding | Jonathan Williams |
| Staffing and Resources | Christopher Dunne |
In addition there are committees for discipline, hearings and exclusions. Membership of the discipline and hearing can be made up of any three governors (except in some cases staff governors) and membership of the admissions committee is agreed by governors annually.
Contact:
Chair of Governors can be contacted via: chairofgovernors@hockerill.com or clerktogovernors@hockerill.com
John Stenhouse
Partnership Governor
Chair of Governors
One of the great things about being a parent is that you can continue to grow and learn with your children. Both my sons went to Hockerill, and I had the privilege of being a part of their journeys from years 7 to 13. I am continually impressed by the dedication and professionalism of all the staff, and how the experience of being a pupil at Hockerill creates aspiring, creative, global citizens that I am sure will pass on these values to their kids. When asked to be a Governor, it was a very simple decision. I believe in Hockerill and want to support and be part of the future development of this great school.
I have lived and worked in the US, Belgium, The Netherlands and the UK. My area of expertise are Information Technology, new business start-ups and M&A. I live in the village of Henham, and am a keen supporter of Bishops Stortford RFC as well as an appalling pianist.
Current Term of Office:
1st September 2021-31st August 2025
Stephen Beach
Partnership Governor
Vice Chair of Governors
I joined the Hockerill Governing Body as a Parent Governor in 2005 and in 2013 I became a Partnership Governor. Over the years I have been a member of the Student/Staff Committee, Health & Safety, Finance, Admissions and Curriculum Committees and was Chair of the former Premises Committee. I am currently chair of the Quality of Education committee. After working in banking operations in places as diverse as the Cayman Islands and Stockholm, I transferred to the education sector , most recently (before retirement) as the Bursar at a large secondary school in East London. I have lived in Bishop's Stortford since 1985 and am a member of the Bishop's Stortford Baptist Church. A keen allotment holder, I am Chair of the Much Hadham Horticultural Society.
Current Term of Office:
6th March 2021 - 5th March 2025
Christopher Dunne
Parent Governor
Chair of Staffing & Resources Committee
As a parent governor, I have strong ties to Hockerill, with both my two daughters and two nephews having attended the school. Currently, I serve as Co-Vice Chair and Chair of the Staffing and Resources Committee, as well as the SEND/PP Link Governor.
Before retiring in 2015, I spent 25 years as a Foreign Exchange Trader at leading global investment banks such as JPMorgan and Morgan Stanley. Since retirement, I’ve freelanced as a Series Consultant for HBO’s critically acclaimed drama series, Industry.
In my free time, I’m passionate about skiing, gardening, following North American politics, and enjoying a classic favourite - fish and chips!
Current Term of Office:
1 February 2021 – 30 January 2025![]()
Jonathan Williams
Partnership Governor
Hockerill College played a huge role in the life of our family over the twelve years that our son (now a pilot in the RAF) and daughter (now working for an equine veterinary professional body) were students. Thereafter I maintained my involvement with the College through the Hockerill Parents and Friends, assisting at Open Days and other activities before being invited to become a Community Governor.
I am a chartered shipbroker and have spent my entire working life in the maritime sector. I recently took semi-retirement from running an international membership organisation covering 75 countries and more than 30 languages, so in many ways it is just like Hockerill - only bigger! I have been fortunate to have spent many years in the international, multi-lingual and multicultural industry that is world shipping, and this convinced me many years ago of the importance of the outwardly focussed global mindset that is so deeply embodied in Hockerill’s core ethos. By contributing to the work of the Governing Body I can play a role in ensuring that the College maintains its excellent and well-deserved reputation for academic, pastoral and boarding excellence.
Positions & Committee Membership:
Member of Curriculum Committee
Vice Chair of Pastoral & Boarding Committee
Member of Curriculum Committee Member of Steering Committee
Link Governor for Boarding
Current Term of Office:
2nd October 2021 - 1st October 2025
Marie Calnan
Community Governor
Marie is a member of the Board's Safeguarding & Boarding Committee. She undertakes the Link Governor role for Safeguarding, English, Health and Safety and Attendance.
Full bio to appear shortly.
Current Term of Office:
20 September 2024 to 19 September 2028
Anna Gray
Parent Governor
I have one daughter at Hockerill who is currently a Year 12 weekly boarder.
I am passionate about education and strongly believe that every child has the right to achieve their full potential. I have worked as a primary school teacher, an early year’s consultant, a speech and language project manager and now have a position in the Special Educational Needs Department of Thurrock Council. This experience of working with children from varying backgrounds has given me an insight into the challenges faced by families and schools in trying to meet their needs. Prior to being a governor here I was the vice chair for a local primary school and have sat on other school and charity boards.
I am fully committed to the journey of each student and seek to ensure they all have the opportunities to reach their aspirations and also to become excellent individuals that make up the local and global community.
In my spare time I am a teacher at a local dance and drama school and enjoy putting on productions, helping backstage with costumes, make-up and hair and supporting the children to put on a great show!
Positions and responsibilities:
Vice Chair of the Staffing and Resources Committee
Link Governor for Sixth Form and Pupil Wellbeing
Current Term of Office:
10th December 2021 - 9th December 2025
Shamiela Davids
Partnership Governor
It has been one of the great privileges of my lift to have spent two decades of my career in education working at Hockerill. I have been a teacher, held various leadership positions and been a trustee in service of the College. I believe that much of my compatibility with Hockerill's mission and vision come from having lived and worked in Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. My passion always been in developing programmes and projects to promote world-class education.
I try to be a life-long learner who combines academic expertise with practical experience. I am currently based in Cape Town where I teach up to second year university level; I am equally comfortable working online and face-to-face. I have been fortunate to connect with people from diverse backgrounds and cultures and that has been a key factor in all the projects in which I've been involved.
Current Term of Office:
24 Jun 2023 to 23 Jun 2027
Imran Patel
Parent Governor
With a rich background in senior leadership at global technology companies such as Adobe and Salesforce, I bring extensive experience in strategic planning, business development, and innovation to my role as a Parent Governor. As the Link Governor for AI, ICT, and Careers, I am dedicated to leveraging my expertise to enhance the school's technological capabilities and career development, ensuring Hockerill remains at the cutting edge of modern education.
My involvement as a business advisor in the school's Young Enterprise Scheme has further reinforced my commitment to fostering student growth and development. I am passionate about nurturing Hockerill’s core values—critical thinking, creativity, and a lifelong love of learning—so that every student, including my daughter, has the opportunity to thrive both academically and personally.
Outside of my professional career, I have a strong interest in real estate and financial markets. I also founded the Dhila Foundation in 2016, a charity dedicated to inspiring action and supporting communities in need, with the goal of creating opportunities for brighter futures and a better world.
Additionally, my love for sports, adventure, and travel has shaped my belief in broadening one’s horizons and fostering empathy for diverse cultures—an ethos that aligns perfectly with Hockerill’s global outlook.
I am deeply committed to Hockerill’s mission to provide an intellectually stimulating, culturally diverse, and globally focused education. In my role as Link Governor for AI, ICT, and Careers, I look forward to helping drive innovative initiatives that prepare students for the future while contributing to a community where respect, curiosity, and inclusivity are at the core of every student's experience.
Current Term of Office:
20 Oct 2023 to 19 Oct 2027
Richard Johnson
Parent Governor
My career started in the UK working in a finance department of a large European hotel chain. I covered internal financial and systems audits and computer systems installation projects, before moving to live and work in Sierra Leone.
Returning to the UK I changed industries and joined an international commodity trading company suppling raw materials to the Steel, Iron and Aluminium industry. During this time, I developed my skills in logistics, sourcing, sales, strategic planning, international trade and finance eventually operating as CEO. After 35 years within the metallurgical industry, I changed direction again and am now engaged in a number of smaller projects in the service, marketing, travel and construction sectors in the UK and Africa. I have been, and still remain, involved in local charitable work and am also a founding member of a charity supporting children in Soweto South Africa through the medium of sport.
My partner and I have had 4 children at Hockerill, 3 have recently left after graduating with their IB and 1 in year 12 as a day student. They have all previously been weekly boarders. Hockerill has and continues to provide for our children a dynamic educational opportunity and guidance alongside nurturing the development of their characters and confidence to their fullest. I am a firm believer of giving back and joined Hockerill Parents and Friends becoming chair for a number of years before becoming a parent governor in 2023. In my spare time I enjoy cooking, hiking, travelling and once, danced as part of a troop in the Rio Carnival.
Current Term of Office:
20 October 2023 to 19 October 2027
Catherine Waltham
Staff Governor
I have been a member of the teaching staff at Hockerill for eight years. I started my working life as a modern foreign languages teacher in Berkshire and Hertfordshire before moving into the field of leadership and management consultancy and HR. I have worked both in the public sector and private sector, leading change in a broad range of businesses. I have worked nationally and internationally, including spending several years in the pharmaceuticals industry in Switzerland managing global outsourcing and restructuring projects. I returned to the UK with a young family to spend more time at home. I have been a governor at Northgate primary school for over 10 years.
I am very motivated to be part of Hockerill’s governing body. I have 2 children at Hockerill and they benefit greatly from the breadth of opportunity that the school offers. It is wonderful to see them thrive in such a supportive, academic and international environment. I aim to use my diverse background in education, industry and change management to help Hockerill progress our strategy of ensuring that students receive the best education they can and that they leave Hockerill as inspired, caring, global citizens, well equipped for the world of further education, work and beyond.
I am a member of the Board's Quality of Education Committte and also undertake the Governor Training Link role.
Current Term of Office:
25 September 2023 to 24 September 2027
Oya Er Wilkes
Parent Governor
Values of social justice and equality shaped my life. I studied BA Journalism and worked for a national newspaper (Turkey) and as editor-in-chief in a local newspaper (Germany). My naive belief in the impact of media in social issues worn thin quickly. My purpose evolved towards facilitating tangible changes in people's lives, which led me to study BSc Psychology and MA Social Work; fitting in with Hockerill's ethos of “lifelong learning." My international, multilingual, and multicultural background also coincides with Hockerill's ethos of global mindset.
Currently, I work for Children and Families Services in a London local authority. My personal and professional expertise confirms that children thrive in healthy, happy and safe environments; helping them become ambitious, independent and resilient adults. This occurs beyond the boundaries of their family homes. That’s why I am part of the governing body and ensure our school continues to be the best stepping-stone into adulthood for them.
I have lived in and around Bishop's Stortford since 2000. Long before I became a parent, I was aware of Hockerill's high reputation and the staff continue to impress me with their dedication and professionalism, whilst I witness my daughter's experience of being a pupil at Hockerill. I am honoured to be serving Hockerill community as a neurodiverse individual and being part of the future development of this culturally diverse, inclusive, and globally focused educational environment.
I spend my leisure time thinking about environmental issues, taking part in various local voluntary projects, and reading about a wide range of topics. I have started making eco-bricks at home a few years ago and dreaming about building a small shed with them. My guilty pleasures are skiing and travelling; and I am hoping to backpack with my daughter for a year before she moves on with her life after Hockerill.
I am a member of the Safeguarding & Boarding Committee and the Link Governor for PE.
Current Term of Office:
20 October 2023 to 19 October 2027
Rebecca Williams
Community Governor
I first joined the Hockerill Board as a Parent Governor in 2018 when my younger son was a boarder in the sixth form at the College, and in 2023 I became a Community Governor. Both my sons were boarders at the College throughout their secondary education, from Year 7 to 13, and their experience together with my involvement as a parent was the catalyst for my increased involvement with the unique school that is Hockerill College. As well as my time as a Trustee /governor, I spent two years as a member of staff (Admissions Officer) from 2021-23, gaining valuable experience of the admissions process for an oversubscribed day and boarding school.
My professional background is legal – I qualified as a barrister and was then a lawyer in the Government Legal Service for nearly 15 years. Subsequently I worked in two local government shared legal service providers as a planning lawyer. My experience in public law has provided useful skills to draw on in governance matters.
I also have a long-standing interest in education, having completed a PGCE in 2014, and although I didn’t enter teaching, what I learned then about pedagogy has proved valuable for the governor role. I am also using those skills in providing weekly GCSE tutoring to a student from a disadvantaged school via the Access Project charity.
I am currently vice chair of the Quality of Education Committee, and previously of the Pastoral and Boarding Committee.
Current Term of Office:
10 February 2024 to 9 February 2028
David Woods
Principal
The Principal of the College is a trustee (governor) and attends all meetings and committees of the Board.
Current Term of Office:
Ex-officio.
