The Aldenham Foundation Governing Body

Mrs Sarah Altman (Chair of Governors) is a former parent of Aldenham, who had both a son and a daughter at the School. She is a Chartered Accountant who has worked both within the charity sector and for many years as Director of a property company.

Mrs Altman can be contacted via chair@aldenham.com

Mr Richard Bryer is a former parent, who had a son and then a daughter at the school. He is a Chartered Quantity Surveyor, who has over 30 years’ experience within the construction sector and was one of the senior partners at Gardiner & Theobald LLP, until he retired in 2021.

Cheryl is a former Aldenham parent and Chair of Aldenham School Parents Association 2016-2021.   With a background in international retail franchising, licensing and business development, she currently works for Amazon, leading Strategic Account Management for Amazon Pay in EU and North America.

Dr Jane Hawdon is a medical director and consultant neonatologist at Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust. She has been a member of the Independent Reconfiguration Panel and NICE guideline development groups, and of the board of trustees of the charities Bliss and Noah’s Ark Children’s Hospice. She is a qualified coach and facilitator. Her 3 children were Aldenham pupils.

Mr Andrew Hunter is an Old Aldenhamian. He attended the school from 1972-1977. As a schoolteacher, he worked at Worksop College, Notts and Bradfield College, Berks and he was the Headmaster of Merchiston Castle School, Edinburgh from 1998-2018. He has experience of governorship of independent schools, a Multi Academy Trust and charities. He continues to play a non-executive role as a governor (and honorary head) of Merchiston International School, MIS, Shenzhen, China. He also helps Saxton Bampfylde, the Executive Search and Leadership Advisory Firm.

Mr James James-Crook is a former pupil of Aldenham and the son and brother of former OAs. He was President of the OA Society; former Editor OA Review; Past Chair of the Letchmore Trust and currently, Secretary. With over forty years’ experience in 20th C British and Irish Art, mostly as a Director with Phillips Fine Art Auctioneers, he was also responsible for business development in Australia, Ireland and South Africa. He is now an independent Fine Art Consultant and Valuer. He is a Freeman of the City of London and Liveryman of the Fletchers’ Company.

Councillor David Lambert is the Hertfordshire County Council representative on the governing body. His son was educated at Aldenham.

Mr Alan Phillips is a former pupil of Aldenham (1977-82). Alan is a Divisional Director of investment managers – Brewin Dolphin.

Mr Chris Rees is a former parent of Aldenham with over 25 years’ experience within the International Service sector, most recently at Hogan Lovells as Director of Finance.

Ms Harriet Simmons is an Independent Food Safety/Food Law Consultant. She was formerly a General Manager at SAI Global Assurance Services and a Technical Director for Connaught Plc.

Mr Torquil Sligo-Young is a non-exec director of Young & Co Brewery and Chairman of trustees of Young’s Pension Trustees Ltd. He is also Chairman of The Friends of Holy Cross Hospital and the William Allen Young Charitable Trust.

Prof Katherine Smart is the Global Technical Director and Chief Scientist at Diageo. An associate lecturer at the University of Cambridge she holds a BSC in Biological Sciences, a PhD in Brewing Yeast and Fermentation and a Doctorate of Science in Brewing and Distilling. She is the Upper Warden and will be the first Lady Master of the Worshipful Company of Brewers in 2024.

Mr David Tidmarsh (Vice Chair) was the Headmaster of St Martin’s Preparatory School in Northwood until summer 2019. He is now a Consultant specialising in the education sector.

Commodore Nick Tindal RN Retd and Clerk to the Worshipful Company of Brewers’.
Having recently retired from the Royal Navy after a distinguished career, Cdre Tindal has been appointed as a Governor of the Aldenham Foundation. His interests include tennis, half marathons, Chelsea FC, walking, fishing, reading and an obsession with Irish rugby.

Mr Tom Wells was a Vice Chairman of Charles Wells Ltd and Chairman of Muntons plc. He was High Sheriff of Bedfordshire and served on the All Party Parliamentary Beer Group.

Before ordination, The Venerable Charles Hudson worked for eight years as a commercial lawyer in London. He was ordained in 2008 at St Paul’s Cathedral and served his curacy at All Souls, St Margaret’s near Twickenham, before moving to Broxbourne with Wormley, where he was involved in launching new worshipping communities, as well as working with local schools, children and families. He became Archdeacon of St Alban’s in 2023.