Skip to content ↓

Governors

The Governing Body of The Judd School

The Judd School is a Voluntary Aided School supported by The Skinners’ Company www.skinners.org.uk. The Company appoints the majority of the Governing Body, which also comprises elected Parent Governors, elected Staff Governors, Associate Governors and the Headteacher. Current members of the Governing Body are profiled below.

Should you wish to contact the Governing Body please email the Clerk to Governors at education@skinners.org.uk.

Foundation Governors

Mr Charles Doyle - Chairman of Governors 

Charles Doyle is an Old Juddian (1978-1985) who remembers his time there fondly (and some of the teachers too!).  After careers in the Royal Navy and the City, he now works in infrastructure finance and lives in Fulham with his wife and two small boys. 

Charles is a Foundation Governor (having become an apprentice to the Skinners' Company after school).

Governor Meeting attendance 2022/23 - 8/9
Declared Business & Financial Interests - None
Term - 1/9/19-31/08/24

Mr Jeremy Cronk 

Jeremy Cronk is a Foundation Governor (and SEND link governor) who grew up and attended school in Tonbridge.  He read History at the University of Edinburgh, and spent an exchange year at McGill University, Montreal.  After university and law school, he worked as a solicitor in London and Tokyo, before joining SSE, the energy company. Jeremy now lives back in Tonbridge with his wife, Louise, and two young children.  He enjoys swimming, dog walks with the family, and stand-up comedy.

Governor Meeting attendance 2022/23 - 6/6
Declared Business & Financial Interests - None
Term - 1/9/20-31/8/24

Mr Roper Peckham-Cooper
 

 

  

Roper Peckham-Cooper is a Foundation Governor and member of the Education Committee. He is an Old Juddian leaving Judd in 2008. Roper is now part of the Livery of the Skinners' Company in London and is a new member of the governing body. 

Roper studied Politics at Exeter University. Since leaving Exeter, Roper has been working in the world of consulting and now supports business leaders with executive coaching. 

Governor Meeting attendance 2022/23 - 4/6
Declared Business & Financial Interests - None
Term - 1/9/22-31/8/26

Dr Luke Rajah - Chair of the Education Committee
 

 

 

Luke Rajah is an Old Juddian (1998-2005) and is a Foundation Governor (having completed an apprenticeship with the Skinners' company after leaving school).

After leaving The Judd School, Luke read Natural Sciences at the University of Cambridge, where he also completed a PhD in Biophysics. He then joined the Boston Consulting Group as a strategy consultant, and now works as an investment director for Ombu Group, a venture capital firm.

Governor Meeting attendance 2022/23 - 6/6
Declared Business & Financial Interests - None
Term - 1/9/21-31/8/25

Miss Zillah Anderson
 

 

  

Zillah Anderson is a Foundation Governor and member of the Education Committee.  She is part of the Livery of the Skinners' Company in London and is a new member of the governing body. 

Having studied Economics and Management at the University of Oxford, Zillah qualified as a chartered accountant and chartered management consultant at PwC. Her professional career is focused on public sector service reform as part of UK Government (Department of Health & Social Care) and management consulting organisations.

With a passion for sport and the positive impact of team sport on personal development, Zillah plays, coaches, and sits on the management committee of London based netball club, Cumberland.

Governor Meeting attendance 2023/24 - 
Declared Business & Financial Interests - None
Term - 1/9/23-31/8/27

Mr Hugo Brown
 

 

  

Hugo Brown, a former member of the Judd Governing Body, has returned after an absence of slightly over 4 years during which time he pursued a career in Local Politics at home in North Oxfordshire. Having decided not to seek re-election for a 3rd term, he is delighted to return to the world of Education as a Foundation Governor of Judd, sitting on the Education and Finance & General Purposes Committees.
After leaving Westminster School, Hugo graduated from the University of Buckingham with a Degree in Economics which he put to good use during a career in Reinsurance spanning the City, Bermuda and Switzerland.
Hugo now divides his time (i) running his family’s Investment Company, (ii) as an active Liveryman of the Skinners’ Company, sitting on the Finance and the Philanthropy & Development Committees, (iii) as a member of the Finance & Audit Committee of the Foundling Museum, (iv) and still maintaining an active interest in political intrigues in Oxfordshire.
Hugo is married to Emma with whom he has 3 children.

Governor Meeting attendance 2023/24 - 
Declared Business & Financial Interests - None
Term - 15/9/23-14/9/27

Dr Alex Day
 

 

  

Alex is an old Juddian (1990-1995) and is a Foundation Governor. After leaving The Judd School, he studied at St George’s Hospital Medical School, London and qualified as a Doctor with a double Distinction and 1st Class BSc (Hons). Alex completed his surgical training at Moorfields Eye Hospital, and accomplished a PhD at University College London and later became an Honorary Associate Professor at the UCL Institute of Ophthalmology. 

Alex is now one of the leading cataract and laser eye surgeons at Moorfields Eye Hospital, renowned for his laser vision correction and cataract surgery expertise.

He enjoys running, weightlifting, travelling, and listening to classical music. Alex is a Liveryman of The Worshipful Company of Skinners’ and The Worshipful Company of Spectacle Makers.

Governor Meeting attendance 2023/24 -
Declared Business & Financial Interests - None
Term - 1/9/23-31/8/27

Mr Bill Webb
 

Bill Webb was at school in Tonbridge, is a Skinner and Economics Scholar of Trinity Hall, Cambridge. Following a career in management and consulting in the fashion and retail industries he currently works part time in The University of the Arts Business School, teaching and supervising both undergraduate and postgraduate students. He lives in South West London with his Chinese wife Ying, their son Robert and dog Crumble. He enjoys current affairs, flyfishing, antiques and travel. He is Manager of his son's Colts team at Wimbledon Rugby Football Club.

Governor Meeting attendance 2022/23 - 5/6
Declared Business & Financial Interests - None
Term - 1/9/21-31/8/25

Associate Governors

Mrs Alex Akrimi
 

Alex Akrimi lives with her family in Tunbridge Wells and has spent the last 16 years in Education working in Further Education as a teacher and senior leader and more recently for an awarding organisation as Head of Standards. Alex was appointed to the Judd governing body in March 2018 as an Associate Governor, and is a member of the Education Committee.  

Governor Meeting attendance 2022/23 - 3/6
Declared Business & Financial Interests - None
Term - 1/9/22-31/8/26

Mr Philip Greatrex 
 

 

 

Phil Greatrex is a former pupil of Judd (1967-74). He was a player for, and treasurer of, the Old Juddian rugby club for over 10 years and more recently treasurer of the Old Juddian Society for 25 years, where he is still a main committee member. Phil, a chartered accountant by training, is senior partner at CW Energy LLP where he has worked for over 25 years providing taxation services predominantly to the oil and gas sector in the UK.

Phil has lived with his family in the Tunbridge Wells area since finishing his degree and has always maintained a strong interest in, and links with the school, culminating with his recent appointment as an associate Governor of the school.

Governor Meeting attendance 2022/23 - 6/6
Declared Business & Financial Interests - Director and shareholder of PPJ Oiltax Consultants Ltd and a partner in CW Energy LLP 
Term - 1/9/23-31/8/27

Mr  Ben Thompson 

Ben Thompson

I have lived in and around Tunbridge Wells most of my life.  I have five sons.  The younger three being Judd boys - Zachary (left in 2020, now at Exeter), Samuel (left in 2022, now at New College Oxford) and Daniel (Year 12). For myself, I attended Canford School and graduated in Music from Durham University.  My wife Rachel teaches at St Ronan’s School in Hawkhurst, as assistant deputy head of pastoral care.  

I have more than thirty years’ experience in marketing and communications, working in the UK and the USA and specialising in the financial and professional services sectors most recently working with companies in renewable energy and natural capital, which are making a positive environmental impact.

Since 2015, I have been a member of the school’s Development Fundraising Committee and am heartened by the amount of support and parental engagement fostered by the school.   I have encouraged my boys to make the most of the outstanding opportunities and facilities offered by Judd.    

In my spare time I play squash, tennis, golf, the piano and am a keen sailor. 

Governor Meeting attendance 2022/23 - 4/6
Declared Business & Financial Interests - None
Term -
1/9/21 to 31/9/25

Elected Parent Governors

Mr  Malcolm Goddard 

 

 

Malcolm Goddard

Malcolm has a son currently in Year 11 at Judd and a daughter at another Kent Grammar School. He is a keen birdwatcher and currently a season ticket holder at both Harlequins Rugby Club and Kent Cricket Club.

Malcolm currently works as a senior advisor for a national education consultancy, Optimus Education, supporting schools promoting wellbeing and parental engagement. He conducts supportive external school reviews including mock OFSTEDs.  He has worked with 500+ schools including primary, secondary, special, independent and international schools in the last 7 years since leaving headship and “retiring”. He regularly trains governors, governing bodies and trusts on a diverse range of topics. 

Malcolm was appointed in January 2024 as a Parent Governor and is a member of the Education Committee.

Governor Meeting attendance 2023/24 -
Declared Business & Financial Interests - 
Term - 1912/23-19/12/27

Mrs Donna Western 

Donna Western

Donna has enjoyed a wide-ranging career spanning finance, start-up, technology and biotech across the US and UK and is currently at the Bank of England.  Fast-paced technology-led environments have intensified her interest in how schools prepare students to thrive in an ever-changing world moving at unprecedented pace.  Donna is a local Sea Scout leader and lives in Tonbridge with her husband, Mark, and two sons.  She has been involved with the Judd School since 2019 and looks forward to continuing an active role in the school’s life. 

Governor Meeting attendance 2022/23 - 6/6
Declared Business & Financial Interests - None
Term - 9/7/21-8/7/2025

Elected Staff Governor

Mr Simon Pearce 

Simon Pearce

Simon went to school in Gloucester and studied at Sir Thomas Rich’s Grammar School (1980-1985). On leaving school, he joined the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers based at Ashchurch in Tewkesbury where he studied Mechanical Engineering on a YTS scheme. He then went on to join the Royal Military Police and spent a number of years in the Army Reserve. 

In 1996, Simon joined the Metropolitan Police Security Force, SO17, at the Houses of Parliament where he took on the role of internal security officer. In 2001 he was promoted to Security Manager and was responsible for both pedestrian and vehicle searches. During his time in this role, Simon was part of the planning team for events such as the State Opening of Parliament and the Queen Mother’s Lying in State. He was also involved in the Prevent scheme and worked with SO15 Counterterrorist Command. 

In 2015 Simon joined The Quest Academy as a Cover Supervisor and in 2020 joined Temple Grove Academy Primary School as the Emotional Literacy Support Assistant and Music teacher. 

Simon joined the school as Learning Support Assistant in September 2020.

Governor Meeting attendance 2022/23 - 5/6
Declared Business & Financial Interests : None
Term - 17/12/20-16/12/24

Previous Governors

Governors who have stepped down within the last 12 months 

Name Governor Term of Office
Mr Scott Henderson Parent 18/12/19-18/12/23
Mr John Costello Associate 1/8/19-31/8/23
Mrs Lucinda Ball Foundation 1/9/17-31/8/25
Mr Ed Ethelston Foundation 1/9/22-31/8/26