Robin Bacon

Chair, Wycliffe College

Robin has been the Chair at Wycliffe College in Gloucestershire for seven years and previously was the Vice Chair of Governors (and one of seven from his family to attend the College as a pupil in the 1970s). During Robin's time as a Trustee (14 years) he has gone from being one of the youngest Trustees to now being the oldest and will be handing over the role of Chair later in 2021. Robin was instrumental in recruiting a new Head of the College in 2015 and during Robin's tenure the Trustees have carried out an ambitious capital build programme for the College. It has been a great privilege for Robin to serve his old College in this unique leadership role.

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.

Alice Unwin

Senior Associate, BDB Pitmans

Alice advises independent schools on a range of governance, strategic and operational matters. Her experience includes advising schools on mergers, fundraising and borrowing , as well as constitutional reviews, Charity Commission consents and establishment of sister charities to house bursary funds.  In addition, Alice has advised commercial operators on school acquisitions and expansion overseas.  Alice provides governor training and speaks at sector events, and is also a governor of The Mount School York.