MEET OUR GOVERNORS

Ms Julia Baker, CGMA, MCT, MBA

Governor of Wells Cathedral School since 2024
Member of Development Committee since 2024
Part-time training student of psychodynamic psychotherapy with the British Psychotherapy Foundation
Community Buddy with MacMillan Cancer Support
CFO for start-up companies since 2018
Amazon Asia Pacific 2017
British Petroleum UK, Netherlands and South Africa 2004 – 2016
Shell International 1997- 2004
Mother of one son and one daughter

Prebendary Emeritus Barbara Bates, BA, MA, FRSA

Governor of Wells Cathedral School since 2009
Boarding Governor
Chair of Pastoral & Recreation Committee
Governor of Bristol Grammar School since 2010
Member of the Chapter of Wells Cathedral 2009-2015
Former Principal, Bruton School for Girls
Former Head, Roedean School
Member of the Wessex Regional Committee of the National Trust 2006-2012
Inspector for the Independent Schools’ Inspectorate 1998-2012

Mr Simon Bernal-Palmer, FCCA, BSc (Hons)

Governor of Wells Cathedral School since 2024
Chair of the Finance and Audit Committee from 2024
CEO and Founder of Arenilla Ventures since 2016
Non-Executive Director of Engine. 2019-Present
Non-Executive Director of Derelict to Dream since 2023
Non-Executive Director of Step In To Tranquility since 2023
Interim CFO of IMPOWER Consulting Ltd since 2024
CFO of Finxone Ltd since 2024
CFO of Consolidated Holdings Group 2023-2024
CFO and COO of Outernet Global Limited since 2023-2024
Global CFO and COO of Toaster Group 2017-2023
Panel Member of the Bank of England’s Decision Making Panel 2018-2023
CFO, COO and Strategic Director of The Sandpit, an Ascension Ventures Fund 2016-2017
Director of Transaction Unit of HM Dept for Education 2016-2017
PwC Deals Team, 2008-2015
KPMG Financial Services Advisory, 2004-2004
Father of three daughters

Mr Martin Cooke, BEd

Governor of Wells Cathedral School since 2019
Chair of the Academic Committee
Governor, Exeter Cathedral School, 2001-2008
Headmaster, Clayesmore School 2000-2016
Headmaster, Clayesmore Preparatory School 1994-2000
Second Master, Bembridge School, Isle of Wight 1985-1994
Director of Music, Bembridge School, Isle of Wight 1979-1994
Director of Music, Holy Trinity, Bradford on Avon since 2017
Father of one daughter and one son

Revd Canon Dr Megan Daffern, MA Hons (Oxon), MA Hons (Cantab) DPhil

Governor of Wells Cathedral School since 2023
Canon Chancellor of Wells Cathedral since 2023
Acting Dean and Director of Studies in Theology, Gonville and Caius, University of Cambridge 2022-2023
Tutor and Bye-Fellow, Lucy Cavendish College, University of Cambridge 2021-2023
Associate Tutor, Eastern Region Ministry Course since 2019
Diocesan Director of Ordinands and Vocations, Diocese of Ely 2019-2021
Trustee, Oxford Diocesan Schools’ Trust 2017-2019
Associate, Higher Education Academy since 2014
Member, Society for Old Testament Study since 2012
Chaplain, Jesus College, Oxford 2009-2019
Assistant Curate, Rugby Team Ministry, Diocese of Coventry 2006-2009
External Member, Sheffield Institute of Interdisciplinary Biblical Studies, since 2021
Tutor / Supervisor, Lecturer, Examiner within the Theology Faculty, Oxford and Divinity Faculty, Cambridge, 2014-2019 and 2021-2023 respectively

Mr Andrew Gummer, LLB

Governor of Wells Cathedral School since 2019
Chair of Coro (The Sixteen) record label
Pink Floyd management team
President, Fintage Music and Rights Agency Limited 2014-2017
Director of Business Affairs, Boosey & Hawkes/Imagem Group 2003-2014
Director of Business Affairs, Mushroom Records 1999-2003
Law LLB Exeter University – 1983
Father of one daughter (currently at WCS) and two sons (OWs)

Mr Tim Lewis, BA Hons (Cantab), FCA

Governor of Wells Cathedral School since 2015
Trustee of Wells Cathedral School Foundation since 2008 and Chair of its Investment Committee
Partner, KPMG Hong Kong 1986-2001
Governor, Kellett School, Hong Kong 1992-1998
Member of Listing Committee, Hong Kong Stock Exchange 1990-1994 and 1997-2001
Council member (director), Hong Kong Stock Exchange 1994- 1999
Trustee of Somerset Chamber Choir
Trustee of Friends of the Ridgeway
Chair of Wiltshire and Swindon Countryside Access Forum
Father of one daughter and two sons
OW

Mrs Dorothy Nancekievill MA,BMus,PGCE,Hon ARAM

Governor of Wells Cathedral School since 2022
Forty years education experience in both State and Independent schools
Held school senior management positions at all levels
Joined Wells Cathedral School as Deputy Director of Music in 1999, became Director of Music in 2000
Head of Farringtons School 2015 – 2020
Current Governor at Kingswood School, Bath
Consultant Appraiser for MIST (Methodist Independent Schools Trust)
Conductor of the International Staff Songsters of the Salvation Army
Mother of two boys (both OWs)

Mr Robert Powell

Governor of Wells Cathedral School since 2016
H&S Governor
President of Wells Chamber of Commerce since 2023
Chair of Development Committee
Wells Abbeyfield Society Executive Committee since 2013
Wells Sports Club Committee since 2010
Trustee Wells Cathedral Chorister Trust since 2004
Director Basil Powell Shoes Ltd since 1989
Father of two daughters (OW 2002-2015)
OW 1970 -1981

Mr Kris Robbetts, MA MSc

Governor of Wells Cathedral School since 2019
Partner, VWV LLP, Bristol & London
Solicitor specialising in Education Law (independent schools & higher education) since 2006
Trustee, Avon Youth Association, Bristol 2006-16
Resident Assistant Housemaster, Cedars House, Wells Cathedral School 1999-2001
AHRB (British Academy) Scholar, 2000-01
Graduate School Scholar, Bartlett School of Architecture, University College London 2000-2001
Academic Scholar, Keble College, Oxford 1997-2000

Professor Jeffrey Sharkey BM, MM, MPhil, FRSE

Governor of Wells Cathedral School since 2022
Principal of the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland since 2014
Director at Johns Hopkins University, Peabody Institute 2006-2014
Governor of Yong Siew Toh Conservatory, Singapore – 2006-2014
Dean of Cleveland Institute of Music 2001-2006
Director of Music at The Purcell School 1996-2001
Head of Composition and Academic Music at Wells Cathedral School 1990-1996
Trustee of the Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music
Trustee of The Cumnock Tryst
Vice President of The Association of European Conservatories (AEC)

Mrs Elizabeth Shelton, SRN

Governor of Wells Cathedral School since 2020
Safeguarding Governor
Hospital/community nurse 1977-2000
School Nurse, Millfield Prep School 2000-2020
Child Advocate and Mentor, Route 1 since 2018
Mother of one daughter and four sons (OWs)

The Reverend Canon Tim Stevens, MA

Governor of Wells Cathedral School since 2024
Canon Precentor of Wells Cathedral since 2024
Area Dean of Barnsley 2022-2024
Vicar of Darton with Staincross and Mapplewell 2019-2024
Governor of Mapplewell Primary School 2019-2024
Governor of Trinity Academy St Edwards, Barnsley 2020-2023
Governor of Darton Primary School 2021-2024
Assistant Curate Wakefield Cathedral 2016-2019
Governor of Trinity Academy Cathedral, Wakefield 2016-2019
MA (Liturgy) from Sheffield University 2016
Project Manager, Asda Home Shopping 2012-2016
Retail Manager (Sainsburys and Asda) 2002-2012
BA (Hons) (Theology) from University of Leeds 2001

The Very Reverend Toby Wright, MA

Dean of Wells Cathedral since summer 2024
Governor of Wells Cathedral School since 2024
A school Governor since 2001 at a wide range of educational institutions, previously the vice Chair of Oxford Diocesan School Trust, a 43 school Multi-Academy Trust
Three years studying with the Bowen Centre in Washington DC in Family Systems Theory.
Oxford University, New College, before going to Mirfield to train for the Priesthood and a further degree at the University of Leeds
Educated at Abingdon School and then St John’s Southsea
A strong interest in making institutions function better and how meetings can achieve our aims
Father of two children at Wells Cathedral School