John Callender

Former Governor, Reading Blue coats

John has long experience as a senior commercial banker serving on multiple Boards and is currently Chairman of Shawbrook Bank Ltd. John has recently retired as non-executive Chair of ANZ bank Europe Ltd and Senior Independent non-executive director, Chair of Board Risk Ford Credit Europe plc. He has also held positions on the Boards of Motability Operations plc and Aldermore Bank plc. John was also a member of the Regulatory Decisions Committee of the Financial Conduct Authority appointed in August 2013 retiring in January 2020. Prior to his non-executive career, he was a senior executive in Barclays Plc, with considerable experience of operating in Europe, India and the USA running a number of businesses including the asset, leasing, invoice finance and contract hire operations. He served on the Board of the Finance and Leasing Trade Association for six years and was elected Chair for 1996 to 1997. John also served as a Governor of Reading Blue Coat School in Sonning, Berkshire for 10 years chairing a board committee, retiring in 2014. He has considerable experience in Board succession planning and implementation, corporate social responsibility, diversity and the need for financial services to recognise it’s role in the climate change agenda.

Penny Chapman

Head of Education, BDB Pitmans

Penny heads up BDB Pitmans Education Group and has depth of experience in advising independent schools and other charitable education institutions as a charity law expert on all aspects of governance, constitutional and regulatory matters. She is ranked in Chambers for her excellence in charities, regularly contributes to publications in the education sector and speaks at sector events. Penny is a trustee of a number of charities and a governor of Abingdon School.

Richard Harman

CEO, AGBIS

Richard Harman was educated at The King’s School, Worcester, followed by Trinity College, Cambridge, where he read English.  Having spent two years working for an academic publisher, he decided his real vocation was in teaching.  After five years at Marlborough College teaching English and Drama, during which time he also completed his PGCE at Exeter University, he spent 12 years at Eastbourne College.  Progressing from Head of English to Housemaster of a Sixth Form girls’ house to member of the Senior Management Team, he then became Headmaster of Aldenham in September 2000 and thence to Uppingham in 2006.  After a decade leading Uppingham and 32 years overall in teaching, he embarked on a third career as Chief Executive of AGBIS. Richard is much enjoying the challenges at AGBIS, having been Chairman of the Boarding Schools’ Association for 2011-12 and Chairman of HMC for 2014-15.

Kate Parkinson

Senior Associate, BDB Pitmans

Kate has extensive experience in the independent education sector and has advised both charitable and commercial proprietors in a number of matters, from governance reviews to closure advice. This includes advising schools on safeguarding, fundraising, lending, trading, international projects, as well as mergers and acquisitions. Kate has also advised clients through strategic reviews and restructures, as well as in the use of restricted or endowed assets.