Governors
All Governors can be contacted via the Clerk to the Governors, Mr Julian Litchfield, at the main school address. Please clearly mark all correspondence Governors’ Business.
J E A Barnes BA PGCE (James), Chairman of Governors
James’ career in education has encompassed senior and preparatory schools since 1983. In a headship career spanning 18 years, he moved from the tranquil waters of a boarding school of 70 boys to a co-educational day and boarding school of over 450 pupils. In 2003 he established James Barnes Associates, a consultancy firm for independent schools, whilst working as a consultant for GEMS UK and projects included setting up Sherfield School in Hampshire, the inspection of the Bucharest International School on behalf of Gabbitas and heads’ appraisals. Since 2010 James Barnes Associates has taken up most of his working time and the company now consists of four associates, together with consultancy advisers dealing with specific areas, ranging from recruitment to inspection services.
James is a qualified Independent Schools Inspector and Appraiser, he has sat on the Independent Association of Preparatory Schools (IAPS) Council, the IAPS Membership and Inspections Committees and has been the IAPS representative on the Independent Schools Council Community Service Committee. He also acts as a mentor and troubleshoots for IAPS. James is a governor of two independent schools and a trustee of Strive International. He has been a Governor of Milton Abbey School since 2002.
With the little time he has left, James enjoys walking the byways of Wiltshire, spending time with his family, playing golf and the more sedentary pursuits of cooking and reading.
P H G Bradley BA, BAI, ACA (Philip), Chairman Operations Committee
Philip was brought up in southern Ireland, education at Charterhouse and Trinity College, Dublin, where he read Engineering and Economics, after which he moved to London and was articled with Coopers & Lybrand and qualified as a Chartered Accountant. He subsequently spent his career in merchant and investment banking, both with Robert Fleming in London and Jardine Fleming in Hong Kong. Since retiring from full-time employment in 1999, Philip has undertaken various director, consulting and trustee roles. Philip has been a Governor of Milton Abbey School since 2005. Philip has three sons, one of whom is an Old Miltonian.
R D Barbour (Robin)
Robert (Robin) was born the son of a professional Army Officer and educated at Harrow, The Royal Agricultural College, Cirencester, and Wye College London University. He is a Freeman of the City of London and Liveryman of the Worshipful Company of Grocers. Robin is a practicing Land Agent with a wide knowledge of rural matters and historic architecture. Robin is married with two children. He has been a Dorset resident for 35 years and a Governor of Milton Abbey School since 1978.
The Lady Elizabeth Barne
Lady Elizabeth Barne was brought up in Scotland and educated at St Mary’s School, Wantage. She enjoyed a varied career, was PA to the Gentleman Usher of the Block Rod, for which she was awarded the Queen’s Silver Jubilee Medal, she was a horticulturist with a pick your-own farm in flower production, a non-executive director of a NHS Trust Hospital. A Governor of Milton Abbey School since 1997, Lady Elizabeth’s interests include her family and friends – she is a very proud grandparent and avid bridge player.
*A A B R Bruce of Crionaich (Alastair)
Alastair is the Royal, Constitutional and Religious Commentator for Sky News, whilst also contributing to FOX News, ABC and the BBC. In addition, Alastair has written many books, including Days of Majesty, Keepers of the Kingdom and The Oldest. Whilst working with a number of independent production companies in the preparation of TV documentaries, Alastair has also acted as historical advisor on a number of films and TV projects including The Young Victoria, The Prince and the Pauper, The King’s Speech and Downton Abbey. In 1998 Alastair was appointed one of the Queen’s Officers of Arms, giving him some responsibility for the heraldry of Britain.
Alastair was a regular soldier for four years, seeing active service in The Falklands and also on peace-keeping duties in Northern Ireland with the Scots Guards and he remains a reserve officer. Alastair has been a Governor of Milton Abbey School since 1993.
P Dove BA MA (Philip)
Philip was educated at Milton Abbey (Athelstan 1980-85) and has degrees from Birmingham and Kingston University. He served for eleven years as an officer in the Parachute Regiment before embarking on a career as a Management Consultant specialising in organisation transformation. Philip has recently taken up the role of Solutions Director at HCL Axon, prior to which he worked for KPMG Australia and UK. A Governor of Milton Abbey School since 2011, Philip lives in London and is married to the opera singer Catherine Bouchier.
*N Hadden-Paton, Major (Nigel)
Born in 1952, Nigel was educated at Milton Abbey (Athelstan 1966-71). He was commissioned into The Blues & Royals (Household Cavalry) retiring as a Major after 13 years of service. He set up and ran his family home in Hertfordshire as a commercial enterprise for 15 years before moving to Dorset. He now weekly commutes to London where he is a Director of William Evans Gunmakers and also runs a mentoring and guardianship business for foreign families. Nigel is a Director of The Guards Polo Club and has forestry and property interests in Estonia. In 2001 he set up a ‘truffle farming’ business inoculating various trees with the truffle fungus using a science he acquired from NZ Crop & Food Research Institute. A Governor of Milton Abbey since 1993, Nigel has been married for 35 years and has one son and three daughters.
*P W McGrath, MA MW (Patrick)
Patrick was educated at Milton Abbey (Hambro 1973-1978) and Oriel College Oxford. He began his career in the wine industry working in Victoria Wine shops and progressed upwards. In 1993 he set up Hatch Mansfield, a wine importer. In that same year he became a Master of Wine, finally passing his practical exam on the 5th attempt – declaring that MA taught him to never give up! A governor of Milton Abbey since 2003, Patrick’s eldest son, Rory, has recently left Milton Abbey having spent his final year as Head of School.
D P O’Brien QC MA (Dermod)
Mrs S Russell LLB (Susan)
Susan was born in Portsmouth the daughter of a surgeon in the Royal Navy and educated at Portsmouth High School and Cardiff University (1982-1985). She took her solicitors’ final examinations at The College of Law in Guildford (1985-1986) and completed a Diploma in Legal Practice Management through Nottingham University in 2008. Shortly after qualifying as a solicitor in 1988 she moved with her husband to Germany for seven years where she worked as a lecturer at Bielefeld University and as a civilian lawyer attached to the Army Legal Corps. Susan is now a partner with Wilsons Solicitors LLP working from the Salisbury Office and specialises in all aspects of rural property work for farms and landed estates, as well as undertaking the property work for the Salisbury Diocese. A Governor at Milton Abbey since 2007, Susan is married with two teenage sons.
M Sherwin BSc (Martin)
Martin was educated at Hurstpierpoint College and Nottingham University. He spent 24 years in the oil industry and has extensive senior level experience in commercial and general management appointments both in the UK and overseas. Martin spent 14 years as an independent school Bursar at Hurstpierpoint College (1994-97) and then Wellington College (1997-2007). A Governor of Milton Abbey since 2008, Martin is also Governor of a new Academy school in Wiltshire. Martin has been chairman of the National Schools Symphony Orchestra and lives in Dorset.
*P M G Stopford-Adams FCSI ACFA FPSI DL (Paul)
Paul was commissioned from RMA Sandhurst into the 4th/7th Royal Dragoon Guards, he served in Germany, Cyprus, Aden and Northern Ireland, retiring as a Captain in 1970. He joined stockbrokers Laurie, Milbank as a graduate trainee in the Government Bonds Department. The firm sent him to the London Business School, Regent’s Park, in 1973. Later, once qualified, he became an Associate and then Partner for eight years. He retired in 1990 to Dorset. Paul was a County director of fund-raising for Macmillan nurses, Chairman of West Dorset Leonard Cheshire Foundation, and is a Council member of the Order of St John. He became a Freeman of the City of London (1985), Liveryman & Freeman of the Worshipful Company of Gunmakers (1986) and a Governor of Milton Abbey since 1991. Paul is now a consultant to ISCO, specialising in schools’ interview techniques for university entrance and jobs. He visits Wycombe Abbey School, Eton, Rugby and Wellington College among others on a regular basis. Paul is a member of Boodles, St James’s (2000) and a Deputy Lieutenant of Dorset (2006). He is happily married to Susie (1974).
Sir Philip Williams Bt MA JP DL
Born in 1950, Sir Philip was educated at Marlborough and St Andrew’s University. He is a Dorset landowner, Deputy Lieutenant of Dorset, West Dorset Magistrate and member of the Independent Monitoring Board, Portland Young Offenders Institution. Sir Philip has been a Governor of Milton Abbey since 1997 and is married to Catherine (a local GP) with four grown-up children.
S J Young MC JP DL FRICS (John)
Born in 1950, John was educated at Bradfield followed by a short service commission in the Royal Green Jackets. John is married to Henrietta (Nee Heyman) and moved to Dorset in 1973 to join Humbert Flint Rawlence & Squarey chartered surveyors in Blandford. John now heads the Country Department of Chesterton Humberts in London. He has been a Governor at Milton Abbey since 2000, lives near Blandford and has grown up children educated at nearby Bryanston School.
Rev C W Mitchell-Innes MA (Charles) - School Visitor
Born in 1947, Charles was a pupil at Wellington College (1960-65) before reading Classics at Pembroke College, Cambridge (1966-69) and later Dip Ed & Cert Ed at Moray House College of Education, Edinburgh (1969-70). Charles was a Master at Sherborne School from 1970 to 1989 (Head of Classics 1983-89 and Assistant Chaplain 1986-89). He was ordained Deacon in 1986, ordained Priest in 1987 and became Chaplain of Milton Abbey School in 1990 before moving to Eton in 1996 to become Conduct of Eton. Charles was appointed School Visitor at Milton Abbey School in 2000 and since 2007 has been Vicar of The Close, Salisbury Cathedral.
Julian Litchfield FCIPD
Clerk to the Governors
*Old Miltonian