Founded in 1710 in Cripplegate, but now relocated in Hampton, south-west London, The Lady Eleanor Holles School (LEH) is one of the oldest and most distinguished girls’ day schools in the UK. It educates young girls and women aged 7-18 across LEH Junior School, Senior School and Sixth Form. LEH is committed to building a community of talented, intellectually curious and passionate students from a wide range of backgrounds through its generous bursary programme.

LEH is proud of the exceptional academic achievements of its girls but it combines impressive intellectual endeavour with enthusiastic engagement well beyond academia. Its students’ public exam results and sporting achievements are among the best in the country, and its musical and dramatic activities place it among the best schools for young performers.

As current Head Mistress Heather Hanbury comes to the end of her exemplary tenure, LEH is thrilled to have appointed an outstanding and forward-thinking new Head in Rowena Cole, formerly head of St John’s School, Leatherhead and Dunottar School, Reigate, who will take up the position in September 2023. As the School looks forward to this next era, the Board of Governors will have a crucial role to play in developing its ambitious strategy. LEH has already extended its brand internationally through the opening of LEH Foshan, an exceptional British curriculum day and boarding school located in China. With this international foothold established, the Board is considering further international expansion; this offers an exciting opportunity for Board members to be involved in an exceptional school with a global brand.

LEH is looking to appoint a further Finance Governor to its Board. Governors' primary responsibilities are to determine the overall direction and development of the School through good governance and clear strategic planning. They will ensure that the School complies with its governing documents, charity law, company law and all other relevant legislation and regulations. Governors will be expected to perform a supervisory oversight role. 

The Board intends for this new appointee to join the Finance and Estates Committee, with a view possibly to becoming Committee Chair in the near future. The Finance and Estates Committee is the principal Board Committee for all matters concerning the administration and financing of the School. The Committee has oversight of the annual budget setting process, review of termly management accounts, and approval of the Trustees’ annual report and financial statements for recommendation to the Board. It also receives reports on the progress of the School’s estates strategy (including IT) and approves significant changes, including where necessary recommending major projects to the Board for approval.

As this new appointee will join the Finance and Estates Committee, the Board is seeking a strong and strategic financial leader to play a key role in ensuring the School continues to go from strength to strength. The ideal candidate for this position may have recently held a position as Partner or Director in an audit or accounting firm, or in a senior financial leadership role in a small to medium-sized company. They will be ACA or FCA-qualified or equivalent, and will employ their astute financial acumen to lead the Committee and the wider Board in maximising opportunities and mitigating risks as they oversee the School's resources.

Previous board or committee-level experience is not a requirement, but would be preferred.

Successful candidates will understand how to guide and influence at a senior level in their chosen area. They will be collaborative, strategic and have the ability to challenge constructively in a supportive manner. They must be excellent communicators and should have a strong interest in the power of girls’ education and LEH’s mission and values. LEH strongly encourages individuals from under-represented backgrounds to apply.

Candidates must be based in the UK and must not be current parents of the School.

To find out more about the Board, please see here.

This role is unremunerated, but pre-agreed reasonable travel expenses will be reimbursed. The time commitment for a Governor role consists of four Board meetings per year, and Governors will be asked to join at least one Committee and attend one Strategy away day per year. The Finance and Estates Committee meets four times a year. Governors will also need to dedicate some time to ad hoc engagement with the Board when required. As Governors are expected to visit the school in-person a number of times a year, the successful candidate will be UK-based. Governors shall hold office for a period of three years which can be renewed for a second term. Lady Eleanor Holles is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. The successful applicant will be subject to an Enhanced DBS check.