Leadership Team

Alastair Ramsay, Chair of Governors
Alastair, an IAPS Head for 19 years, previously led two very successful independent Prep Schools and has been an active ISI inspector since 2004. He successfully ran a boarding house before becoming a Headmaster in 2001. He has guided the schools under his leadership through seven outstanding/excellent inspection reports, one through a successful merger, and two out of perilous financial positions. As a Governor at one of the country’s leading FE colleges, and having sat on the Herefordshire Safeguarding Children Board, Alastair has extensive and varied boardroom and committee experience. Alastair has travelled extensively in China, recruiting pupils and lecturing on the benefits of a British independent boarding education for foreign pupils.

Richard Stevenson, Governor (Pastoral, Estates & Finance)
Richard has worked in a variety of schools, including day and boarding, single sex and co-educational, prep and senior school, tied prep and stand-alone. After completing his degree in Politics, Economics and Philosophy, Richard became Head of the Science, IT and DT departments of a large independent school. He moved to the position of Academic Deputy Head at Holmwood House before being appointed to the headship at Kelly College Prep, and later Castle Court School in Dorset. During his 15 years of headship, Richard re-positioned the schools and restructured the businesses and curriculum, leading to growth in pupil numbers, finances, development and academic achievement. He has been an ISI inspector, taken a lead role in training, and has an outstanding track record of mentoring, coaching and appraising for success. Richard’s ability lies in strategic thinking, the building of teams, growing a business and appointing outstanding people.

Stephen Mellor Governor (Safeguarding)
After completing his Masters Degree in Educational Administration and Institutional Management at the University of Reading, Stephen went on to lead several educational establishments as Headteacher. He has taken up executive roles for two local authorities, ensuring educational provision for children in a variety of settings. Stephen is passionate about developing students’ character, leadership, and emotional intelligence.

Stephanie Wicks, Governor (HR & General)
Stephanie is an accomplished manager with an established career in Human Resources. She has introduced the concept of personnel management into a number of leading independent schools. While Stephanie specialises in HR, she had a broad range of responsibilities within the group, including policy setting and revision, insurance, school transport and housing of school staff, and budget control. Stephanie graduated in Personnel Management in 2003 and is a member of the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development. She has volunteered for the South West London committee, arranging seminars and conferences for other members and working within the required parameters of CIPD.

Ben Tan, Business Director
With a background in Engineering, Ben is fervent about building strong foundations and structures. He has applied this methodical approach to education for over five years, working in senior leadership positions for well-established private global education groups. Ben has been instrumental in setting up international schools in South East Asia and his passion lies in equipping schools with the technology and resources that will enable them to adopt and deliver innovation, creativity and best-practice in education. Ben also believes in building strong financial foundations, helping schools to thrive through business development opportunities.

Charles Chen, Executive Director
Charles received his Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering in 2001, having specialised in biomedical engineering. Whilst completing his studies at MIT and Pennsylvania, Charles achieved First Prize for Progress and Second Prize for National Science and Technology. Charles is committed to using science and technology to ensure innovation and creativity are nurtured in education. As the founder and trustee of several prestigious K12 schools in China and the USA, Charles is familiar with a number of different education systems. Charles is excited to be working alongside some of the most experienced educationalists and school
management teams in England to create a world-class community of forward-thinking, cutting-edge schools that deliver an exceptional quality of education to young people.