Blundell's Governors

Mr Nigel Hall, MA FCA – Chair of Governors

A chartered accountant, educated at The Haberdashers’ Aske’s School and Fitzwilliam College, Cambridge, Nigel was the Finance Director of Arcadia Group PLC. He has since pursued a portfolio career as a non-executive director of several public and private companies. Nigel lives locally and has two grandchildren at Blundell’s Preparatory School.

Rt Rev’d Nick McKinnel – Vice Chair of Governors

Dr Sarah Ansell, BM BCh MA FRCGP - Deputy Safeguarding Governor

Sarah is a General Practitioner and Medical Educationalist, educated at both Oxford and Cambridge. Sarah has been appointed in July 2024 to the position of interim Primary and Community Care Dean for NHS England across the South West region, leading delivery of the future workforce of doctors, nurses and allied healthcare and clinical practitioners training to work in NHS General Practice. Her three children were educated at Blundell’s.

Mr James Beckly, BSc (Hons) MRICS ACIArb

James, a chartered surveyor educated at Blundell’s and Plymouth University, is the Senior Partner at Ward Williams, with over 25 years’ in the Property Sector and experience managing major developments globally in senior roles with Lendlease and Majid Al Futtaim. Committed to community Service, James is also a Governor at Marjon University and supports local initiatives via the Devon Community Foundation’s Beckly Fund.

Ms Anna Crosse, LLB

An Old Blundellian and lawyer, Anna is General Counsel for Vorboss, one of the fastest growing telecommunications companies in the UK. Previously, she advised businesses globally at Johnson Matthey PLC, a FTSE 100 science and chemicals company specialising in sustainable technologies. Anna’s two children attend Blundell’s Preparatory School.

Mr Simon Crew, BSc (Hons) MEcon

Educated at Exeter School, Simon has 20 years’ of leadership and strategic experience in financial services. As Head of Strategic Consulting at Benefex, Simon helps clients, including Independent Schools, shape employee benefits, risk management and insurance requirements. Simon previously served as a Governor and Chair of Finance at Holne Grange School.

Mr Nick Cryer, BEng (Hons) MCIBSE

A chartered engineer, founder of property and construction company Berkeley Place and former board member of WSP Group PLC, Nick has over 30 years’ experience of consulting, commercial development, innovation and VC investment in this industry. Nick is a trustee of various charitable institutions supporting their property and investment decision processes.

Mr Graham Howe, FCA CTA - Chair of Finance & General Purposes Committee

An Old Blundellian and chartered accountant, Graham was a partner with South-West accountants Bishop Fleming before joining the board of The Pavey Group as Finance Director. He has served as a trustee of the Devon Community Foundation and the Church House Charity. Graham’s son was educated at Blundell’s also.

Mr Michael Huntingford, ACA BSc - Health and Safety Governor and Sustainability Governor

Michael has worked within the offshore wind energy sector in the UK since 2001 and previously spent six years developing a large-scale agribusiness in Zambia. He is chair of a regional not-for-profit energy consultancy and is extensively involved in his local community in West Somerset.

Mr Matthew Lovett, BA (Ed) Hons - Chair of Preparatory School Committee and EYFS Governor

A former Headmaster of three preparatory schools with considerable experience teaching overseas also, Matthew serves as an educational consultant and reporting inspector for the Independent Schools Inspectorate. He delivers training for preparatory school teachers, leads a development programme for future school leaders and oversees the Early Years Foundation Stage at Blundell’s.

Mrs Jessica Mannix, MA - Chair of Education Committee

An Old Blundellian, Jessica has worked at the University of Oxford since 2005 and has been Director of the Margaret Thatcher Scholarship Trust at Somerville College since its foundation in 2013. She has lived in South America and South Africa and worked in the charity sector with Oxfam and the NSPCC.

Mr Leigh Menheneott, BEd, MBA - Common Room Representative, ECT Governor and Boarding Governor

A teacher and former Blundell’s Housemaster from 2001 to 2014, Leigh serves on the Board of Governors as the Common Room Representative. During his tenure at Blundell’s he made partnerships with local primary schools and built links for Blundell’s abroad in Laos, working with Blundell’s pupils to enhance opportunities for girls’ education. Leigh’s four children were all educated at Blundell’s and he has a grandchild at Blundell’s Preparatory School.

Mr Josh Papanicola, MBA FCMI CMgr

Josh was educated at Torquay Boys’ Grammar School and the University of Exeter where he read Modern Languages and an MBA. Following roles at the University in Data and Alumni Relations, he is now in the role of Senior Development Manager, focussing on securing philanthropic support for Humanities, Sport and Widening Participation.

Mrs Daya Rees, BA (Hons) CPE/Dip Law - Lead Safeguarding Governor

Daya is a practising barrister, specialising in Children Act cases. Educated Taunton School, UCL, The City University and the Inns of Court School of Law, Daya utilises her considerable experience in this field in her Safeguarding roles for both the Preparatory and Senior Schools. Daya’s two children were both educated at Blundell’s.

Dr Andy Smith, BSc MB ChB DCH DRCOG MRCGP - Chair of Governance Committee and Special Educational Needs and Disabilities Governor

Former Executive Medical Director at South Western Ambulance NHS Foundation Trust and highly experienced in emergency medicine & medical leadership, Andy was a General Practitioner for 23 years and now lectures at the University of Exeter Medical School. He continues to volunteer as a first responder for medical emergencies. Andy’s two children were educated at Blundell’s.

Mr Ian Thomas, AFPS STEP CFP - Chair of Investment Committee

A Chartered Wealth Manager, educated at Universität Düsseldorf and the University of York, Ian has spent most of his career at at financial services companies including AXA, Fidelity Investments and JP Morgan. He is currently a Director at Moore Kingston Smith, advising employers on workplace pensions and employee benefits.

Mrs Jo Thomson, BA (QTS) MBA FRSA - Boarding Governor

Head of Clayesmore School in Dorset, Jo is a passionate educationalist whose career has taken her into roles as an English teacher, Head of Games, boarding Housemistress and Deputy Head at a number of independent schools including Repton Prep School, Aiglon College in Switzerland and Christ’s’ Hospital School in Horsham.

Professor Mark Wood, BA MA DPhil

A Chartered Chemist and Fellow of the Royal Society of Chemistry, Mark was educated at Balliol College Oxford and appointed as a ‘GlaxoWellcome Fellow and Tutor in Organic Chemistry’ by Dyson Perrins Laboratory and Catherine's College Oxford, where he was a governor for 6 years. He is an Associate Professor in Organic Chemistry at Exeter University.