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.

Sue was educated at a comprehensive school and read history and modern languages at Magdalen College, Oxford. She originally intended to become a lawyer but, following a year in France as a teaching assistant, she returned to Magdalen to complete a PGCE.

Her first teaching post was at the King’s School, a comprehensive in Peterborough before she moved to Marlborough College. During her time there she rose through the ranks becoming Head of Junior Scholars and Head of French, as well Deputy House Master of the boys’ boarding house.

From there, Sue moved to Gresham’s School to be Head of Languages and the girls’ boarding house and then spent seven years at The King’s School, Worcester, as Deputy Head – the first woman in the history of the school to hold this position.

Sue took up Headship of Bolton School (Girls’ Division) in September 2011 and has been Chair of GSA Education Committee. She was GSA President in 2019.

John has been with ISBA since February 2017.  He is responsible for the head office internal organisation, outputs to members, training and is the main point of contact for the advice and guidance service to schools. 

John spent 31 years in the Royal Navy, retiring in 2007.  Since then, he has worked as the Chapter Clerk in Portsmouth Cathedral, managed a Barristers' Chambers in London and been Bursar in two schools before joining ISBA. 

Donna was appointed Chief Executive of the Girls’ Schools Association in January 2021, having been Head of Research for the Independent Schools Council for a number of years.

Donna has an insight to a wide range of independent school sector issues, covering national education policy, public affairs, media and communications and research. She has detailed knowledge of the economic impact of independent schools on the UK economy and the impact of independent-state school partnerships, having been responsible for overseeing these research projects for the ISC as well as their annual census of independent schools.

Donna has also worked in strategic consultancy, advising across a wide range of sectors on financial matters as well as communication and brand strategies. She has also worked in the social sector, with organisations such as The Challenge and Action Tutoring.

In her spare time, Donna enjoys jogging and also runs a successful performing arts weekend school with the help of six teaching staff; the school caters for 100 pupils including Donna’s own three children.  

Donna attended a comprehensive school in South Wales, before studying maths at Oxford University, graduating in 2002. She also holds a post graduate diploma in educational and social research from UCL. Donna is a regular speaker at conferences and has presented at events run by GSA, HMC, ISA, Society of Heads, BSA, the Festival of Education, AMCIS and Know Your Audience.