Mr AC Parker CBE BSc - Chairman
A former pupil of West Buckland (60-65 G), was elected as Chairman of the Governors in November 2010. Educated at the University of Surrey, where he is now a Visiting Professor and also attended Harvard Business School. Was Chief Executive Officer of Whitbread plc from 2004 and retired from this position in November 2010. During his tenure as CEO he led a substantial increase in shareholder value and created the UK’s largest hospitality company expanding Premier Inn’s in the UK and developing the global Costa coffee brand. Prior to joining Whitbread in 1992, he was based in Brussels and Frankfurt as Holiday Inn EMEA Managing Director. Is Non Executive Chairman of Mothercare plc and Darty plc (formerly Kesa Electricals plc). Is Non Executive Director of Burger King Worldwide Inc and is also President of the British Hospitality Association

If you wish to contact the Chairman of Governors, you should do so via The Clerk to the Governors whose contact details are:

Commander A R Jackson,
West Buckland School,
Barnstaple,
Devon,
EX32 0SX

Tel 01598 760270 or email:

The Countess of Arran MBE DL – Vice Chairman
Land owner, farmer. Great great granddaughter of the founder. Active in voluntary sector especially those bringing monies to charities in North Devon. Member of the Prince`s Council which advises The Duchy of Cornwall. Deputy Lieutenant of Devon. Former WBS parent. Chairman of Nominations Committee. Trustee of the West Buckland School Foundation.

Mr S D Fox BA – Vice Chairman
North Devon Businessman. Former WBS parent. Trustee of the West Buckland School Foundation. Chairman of Finance Committee.

Ms L Cairns BA JOINT HONS
Modern Languages graduate from Bath University and PGCE from Durham University. Expatriate for 20 years. Former Vice Chair of Governors of The British School, Seoul, South Korea. WBS Parent.

Dr R Fisher – Smith BA MA PGCE PhD
Is an Associate Professor in the Graduate School of Education at the University of Exeter. Educated at the University of Manchester, worked for several years as a primary school teacher in England and USA. Following this moved into initial teacher training and educational research. Researches and writes widely about classroom teaching particularly in the area of literacy. She has published several books on the teaching of reading and writing.

The Venerable DA Gunn-Johnson MA STH
Archdeacon of Barnstaple with care of the Anglican churches and clergy in North Devon. Diocesan Warden of Readers (Lay Ministers).  Episcopal Vicar for the Diaconate.  Bishop’s Advisor for Hospital Chaplaincies. Previously Team Rector for Exeter Diocese, Rural Dean of Honiton, Senior Curate in the Diocese of St Albans. Chairman of Education and Pastoral Committee and Prep Committee for West Buckland Governors.

Mr GG Harrison BSc FRICS
Chairman of Webbers Property Services Ltd. BSc in estate management and a Chartered Surveyor. Former pupil (59-66 C). Former WBS parent.

Mrs SA Husband FCCA
Fellow member of the association of Chartered Certified Accountants. Joint Acting Chief Executive (Director of Finance & Performance) of the North Devon Hospice.

Mr R A Ingram MA
M.A. from Exeter College, Oxford in Philosophy, Politics & Economics. Taught Economics, Government & Politics at Chaterhouse for 35 years. Housemaster for 15 years. Has owned house in North Devon since 1972. Reader in Shirwell Team Ministry. Warden of Readers for Archdeaconry of Barnstaple. Loxhore Parish Councillor. Chairman of Loxhore Village Hall Committee.

Mr J M H Light LLB
Read Law at Brunel University and joined BMW as a Graduate Trainee. Has specialised in Mergers and Acquisitions and Corporate Finance in the automotive sector for over 30 years, first with TKM plc and latterly with Inchcape plc and Autologic plc. WBS parent and Chairman of the Trustees of the West Buckland School Foundation.

Mr JGL Nichols MA FRSA FCollP
Started teaching career at Rugby School and later at Eton College for over 20 years (House Master from 1980 to 1989). From 1989 until 2003 he was Headmaster of Stowe School in Buckingham. In 2007 he was asked to fill the gap between Headmasters at Aiglon College, Geneva, Switzerland. Currently serving on several governing bodies and committees.

Mr CD Phillips BSc FRICS
Following graduation from Reading University, qualified as a Chartered Surveyor.  Has specialised in all aspects of retail property and shopping centres for well over 35 years, including acting as Expert Witness. Previously Partner of global real estate consultants, Cushman & Wakefield. Currently retail property consultant. Former pupil (60-67 C).

Mr MR Popplewell BSc
University Manchester Institute of Science and Technology. BSc (Hons) Management Science. Long standing member South Molton Rugby Club. Norbord Europe – Commercial Management Group. Former pupil (64-72 G). Former WBS parent.

Mrs MA Read BA Hons
Read Law as a mature student, qualified as a solicitor, then became a Judge, mainly in civil and family cases. In retirement, a Board Member of North Devon Homes and Lay Member, Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Safeguarding Children Board. Former WBS Parent.

Mr D Walker Registered Insurance Broker, Cert CII, PFS
Former pupil of WBS (75-82 B). Director of John Walker Insurance. Company is a founder member of the Institute of Insurance Brokers. WBS parent.

Mrs CM Williams DL BA
Attended the London School of Economics. Currently involved in a garden design practice. Served as director of the European Children’s Trust (formerly the Romanian Orphanage Trust). Chairman of Governance Committee. Recently appointed as a Deputy Lieutenant of Devon.

President of the School:

Mr PD Orchard-Lisle CBE TD DL LLD(hc) DSc(hc) MA FRICS
Ex-Chairman of Governors and ex-Chairman of the West Buckland School Foundation. Father and uncle attended West Buckland School. Ex-Senior partner of Healey & Baker. Ex-Chairman and Chief Executive of Healey & Baker Investment. Various other positions including President RICS, President Council of Reading University, Chairman of the Council of Marlborough College, Governor at Harrow and Commonwealth War Graves Commissioner.

Vice Presidents:

Mr B W Aldiss OBE FRSL
Distinguished science fiction author. Former pupil (39-43 F).

Mr HJ Pedder
Ex Chairman of Governors (1995-2000), Ex Chairman of North Devon District Council. Local Businessman. Former pupil (44-52 B).

Lady Gass
Former English Heritage Commissioner. Past Chairman of the Exmoor National Park. MA Cantab. Former Mathematics teacher. Former WBS Governor. Lord Lieutenant of Somerset.

Mr WHG Geen
Ex Chairman of Governors (2005-2010). Local farmer. Former WBS parent. Former pupil (64-69 F).