G o v e r n o r s  

Karen Mack was appointed as a Governor in October 2015.

She is a Chartered Accountant, and her three children were all educated at the College.

Karen is a member of the Finance and Safeguarding & Pastoral Committees and is affiliated to the Single Central Register.

Rupert Corney was appointed as a Governor in March 2023.

He is a Chartered Surveyor and CEO of a housing and social care business and he has two children at the College.

Rupert is a member of the Estate Committee.

Helen Graham was appointed as a Governor in 2024.

She is a GP, and her three children were all educated at the College.

She is a member of the Safeguarding & Pastoral Committee and is the Governor responsible for the College’s Boarding provision. Helen is also affiliated to the Additional Curriculum Department at the College which includes Learning Support & the Library.

Francesca Hampton was appointed as a Governor in May 2014.

She has worked in various Banking institutions at senior level for over 25 years and is currently Group Chief Financial Officer for a Wealth Management Company.

She has two children at the College.

Francesca is a member of the Finance Committee and is affiliated to the Co-Curricular department.

Philippa Hoyle was appointed as a Governor in May 2022.

She has worked in the Education sector since 1995 and is a Senior Assistant Principal in a large maintained Secondary School in East Sussex.

Philippa is Chair of the Safeguarding and Pastoral Committee and member of the Education Committee. Phillipa is also affiliated to the PSHCE department.

Mike Lawless was elected governor in September 2024.

Mike is an Architect, working nationally and internationally. He is a member of the Royal Institute of British Architects, and member of School’s the Estates Committee.

He lives in Hurstpierpoint, and his daughter has previously attended the school. He has actively participated in assisting design projects and forums at the school for a number of years and continues to support young creative people.

Camilla Mair was appointed as a Governor in September 2024.  She is a marketing and fundraising professional with experience in the school’s sector. She is Director of External Relations at an Independent Secondary School.

She has a son in the Senior School.

Camilla is a member of the Finance Committee and is affiliated to the Modern Foreign Languages department.

Kevin Powell was appointed as a Governor in December 2011.

He is recently retired from his role of joint Senior Partner in a firm of Chartered Accountants, however, dedicates his time to non-executive roles and Co Consultancy work.

His two children were both educated at the College.

Kevin is Chair of the Finance Committee and is affiliated to the Science & Technology department.

Ben Searls was elected governor in September 2024.

An executive search professional by trade, Ben recently sold his business to a global talent advisory firm and is continuing on with that business leading their European board practice.

He is a former pupil of the College (1988-1999) and was recently president of the Hurst Johnian Club until being elected as a governor (but he will continue to serve on the committee).

Ben’s father, Nick Searls, was Director of Music for over 30 years at the College and his son will be joining Shell in September 2025. Ben is affiliated to the Colleges Foundation and Careers departments where his experience in the employment sector can be most valuable.

Maxine Shaw was appointed as a Governor in September 2022.

She is a Headteacher in a Prep School and her three children were educated at the College.

Maxine is a member of the Education Committee.

Katharine Woodcock was as appointed as a Governor in December 2024.

Katharine has extensive leadership experience in the Independent Sector and is currently Head of a leading day school in London.

Katharine is a member of the Education Committee.