Winchester is an independent boarding school in Hampshire for pupils aged 13-18. The School has a unique history; it has been educating pupils continuously since 1382, and still uses some of the buildings created at that time for their original educational purpose. In September 2022, the School welcomed girls in the Sixth Form, initially as day pupils. In parallel, provision for day pupils (boys and girls) is being increased, thereby offering more options for local families. 

Winchester College is, above all, a community in which its pupils learn to live with others and to develop habits of respect and courtesy. The School welcomes robust intellectual debate, and strongly supports the right of differing voices to be heard. The last few years have shown all too clearly, around the world, the danger of having only one source of wisdom and power. Each year Winchester College invites a wide range of speakers to the School to expose pupils to different perspectives and contrasting interpretations of the world – both ancient and modern.

The School has, from its foundation, been committed to helping pupils come to Winchester irrespective of their parents’ financial situation. Winchester College hugely values the work it can do to change lives through transformational bursaries and from September will have around 140 pupils benefiting from means-tested fee remission – around half of them pay less than 20% of the fee. The School also works closely with the local and wider community including a thriving community service programme, partnerships with 16 secondary and eight primary schools. Its rich series of lectures and talks across the year are open to all. In September 2023, Elizabeth Stone will become the School’s first female Headmaster, returning to the UK following eight years as Principal of Queenwood School in Sydney.  With the completion of its new Sports Centre, the development of the new Boarding Houses for girls, and a growing focus on entrepreneurship and innovation, it's an exciting time to join Winchester College.

Winchester College's Governing Body is responsible for its strategic direction and long-term planning. It consists of the Warden, who chairs the Governing Body, and up to 14 Fellows. The Governing Body is seeking to appoint a new Fellow, with particular responsibility for financial management of the charity.

The role of the Fellows (Trustees) is to hold ultimate control of and responsibility for the management of the School, including: ensuring the School acts in accordance with the School’s Constitution; educating, safeguarding and promoting the wellbeing of pupils; ensuring compliance with the inspection regime, and managing the School’s activities in furtherance of its charitable objects in the context of its regulation by the Charity Commission.

The Fellows’ key responsibilities are to:

• Set a clear vision, mission and strategic plan for the School and ensure that the necessary structures are in place to deliver those as part of the strategic management of the School (Strategic Responsibility)
• Ensure the performance of the School (Performance Responsibility)
• Ensure that the School complies with all legal and regulatory requirements (Compliance Responsibility)
• Act as guardians of the School’s assets, both tangible and intangible, taking all due care over their security, deployment and proper application (Responsibility to Safeguard the Assets)
• Ensure that the School’s governance is of the highest possible standard (Governance Responsibility)

The Governing Body has seven primary Committees and the Finance Committee is one of these, authorised by the Warden and Fellows in accordance with the College Statutes, ensuring oversight on behalf of the Governing Body in matters relating to the financial management and stewardship of the College.

Role, responsibilities and duties of the Finance Committee:

• Advise the Governing Body on all matters relating to future financial strategy and planning
• Ensure that the College operates within the relevant financial guidelines set out in current legislation, in the College Statutes and by the Warden and Fellows
• Explore ways in which acceptable levels of surplus can be determined and best achieved
• Monitor the financial management of the College’s investments and estates via the Investment Committee
• Consider financial management documents including management accounts, cash flows etc
• Consider budget and fee proposals and make appropriate recommendations to the Governing Body
• Monitor and address those risks for which responsibility has been allocated to the Committee by the Audit and Risk Committee from time to time
• Liaise with the other Governing Body committees on matters of finance

Winchester College seeks to appoint a new Fellow, with particular responsibility for financial management. The Fellow will be expected to participate fully in the work of the Governing Body and to join its Finance Committee (and potentially in future, depending on the candidate, Investment Committee).

As a member of the Finance Committee the role will include participating in making recommendations on the School’s financial strategy / planning to the Governing Body. The successful candidate will most likely have a background in financial services or have a financial qualification with experience in a corporate, governmental or third-sector organisation.

Finally, alongside their financial responsibilities, this individual will be able to contribute to a cordial and effective Board, providing input and constructive challenge as necessary. They will have an affinity for independent education (and Winchester in particular) and a willingness to be involved in the life of a thriving, busy school. They will have an appreciation for the values in Winchester's motto: Manners Makyth Man.

To find out more about the Governing Body, please see here. 

This role is unremunerated, but reasonable, pre-agreed travel expenses will be reimbursed. Full Governing Body meetings take place once per term (i.e. three times per year); Fellows are invited to dinner (with overnight accommodation provided) on the Friday before the full Governing Body meeting on Saturday morning. The Finance Committee meetings are normally held in Winchester once per term (i.e. three times per year). The appointment is for a five-year term, which can be renewed for a further five-year term at the discretion of the Governing Body.

Conflict of Interest: Members of the Governing Body and Committee members have an obligation to act in the best interests of Winchester College. Conflicts of interest may arise where an individual’s interests and / or loyalties conflict with those of the College. Such conflicts may create problems in that they inhibit free discussion, result in decisions or actions that are not in the interests of the College or risk the impression that the College has acted improperly. The College has a separate Conflict of Interest Policy which all members of the Governing Body are expected to sign on appointment and annually thereafter. The policy is to protect both the College and the individuals involved from any actual or appearance of impropriety.

All appointments will be made strictly on merit and the College welcomes applications from everyone regardless of age, gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation, faith or disability. Winchester College is proud of its global and diverse pupil body. Having commenced co-education in the Sixth Form, girls will form an increasing proportion of the School’s pupil population in the years to come. it is keen for the Governing Body to reflect this, and would therefore particularly encourage applications from women.