About Us
Governors
School Governors & Trustees (The Governing Body of Dorset House School)
Chairman of Governors
- Mr Michael Higham BA (Exeter), Cert Ed
- (can be contacted c/o the School Office on 01798 831456 or by email: info@dorsethouseschool.com)
Governors
- Mr Tom Athron
- Mr Richard Agutter* JP FCA
- Mrs Hilary R Dugdale+ MA PGCE
- Ms Jane Hamblett-Jahn
- Mr Oliver Marshall
- Mrs Amanda Meyrick
- Mr Dominic Mott MA (Cantab)
- Mr Nigel Parsons
- Mr Kevin Smith
Michael Higham (Chairman of the Governors)
Michael was educated at Haberdashers’ Aske’s boys’ school in Elstree and at Exeter University (St Luke’s College). He started his teaching career at Felsted Prep School before spending two years in Australia teaching Science to boys aged 11-18. He returned as deputy head of Felsted Prep and has recently retired after 20 years as Head of Moulsford Prep School.He is an ISI inspector, a mentor for Prep School Heads through the IAPS and an educational consultant. He is married to Joanna with three daughters, all of whom are involved in the teaching profession.
Michael is a keen games player, having played a high level of rugby, cricket and squash. His activities are now confined to the Golf course and looking after his garden in Thakeham.
Tom Athron
Tom was born into an army family, and spent much of his early childhood living in Germany. He attended Holmwood House prep school in Essex and went on to the Duke of York’s Royal Military School in Kent, and from there to Newcastle University. After a spell in investment banking at Hambros and studying for an MBA in Cape Town, he began his career in retail at the John Lewis Partnership where he spent 13 years, including 6 years as CFO at Waitrose and a further 3 years on the Partnership’s main board. After a 2 year spell at Matchesfashion, a private equity-backed online luxury retailer, he joined Fortnum and Mason as Chief Executive Officer in 2020.
Tom is married to Nix, and they have three children who were all educated at Dorset House School and Hurstpierpoint College.
Richard Agutter FCA, JP
Richard was educated at Marlborough College, qualified as a Chartered Accountant in 1964 joined Peat Marwick Mitchell (now KPMG) and was made a partner in 1976, specialised in Corporate Recovery but in 1986 was asked to set up the Corporate Finance Division and was appointed Chairman of KPMG Corporate Finance in 1990. He retired in 1998.He is now a a non-executive director of a Public Company, a Governor of Birkbeck College (Chairman of the Finance Committee). He is also a JP. He was an Alderman of the City of London from 1995-2004 and a Sheriff in 2000-1.Richard is married with grown-up sons and lives in Bury. He believes his financial background can be of assistance as a governor and as a member of the Estates and Finance Committee at Dorset House.
Hilary Dugdale MA, PGCE
Hilary was educated at Gresham’s, graduated from Cambridge University (English), PGCE (secondary) in English and Drama at Durham, taught in Sri Lanka, appointed Senior Mistress at Lancing College (1999), co-ordinated the move to full co-education in 2000 and from 2014, was Senior Deputy Head.
Since September 2024, Hilary has been Director of Admissions at Lancing College.
Hilary is also Designated Safeguarding Lead. She is married (to the Head of RS Lancing College) with three daughters. Her interests include: music (Flautist and singer), theatre (watching and directing); walking and reading. Hilary has been involved in the sweep towards full co-education, has an educational background; knowledge of senior schools and their academic expectation and a commitment to small schools that know and nurture their pupils.
Amanda Meyrick
Amanda was educated at Tudor Hall School and Edinburgh University. She started her Public Relations career at the Royal Albert Hall and then moved into the agency world with Ogilvy PR. She is now CEO of Clarion Communications, a WPP owned consumer PR consultancy. She works with well-known brands owned by companies such as Unilever, Diageo and GSK and is experienced at targeting families. Amanda is married and has two sons who were both at Dorset House before moving on to Marlborough College and Edinburgh University.
Jane Hamblett-Jahn
Jane was educated at Tunbridge Wells Girls’ Grammar School and read Law at Coventry University. She led the Economics and Politics Department at Stowe School alongside running netball and assisting with swimming, hockey and lacrosse before taking on a 6th form girls’ boarding house. A serial Housemistress, Jane then ran a 13-18 girls’ boarding house when Stowe went fully co-ed in 2007 before moving to Brighton College to fulfil a similar role in 2014. Jane is currently the Director of Boarding and a Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead at Brighton. She is married to Michael and has two children.
Dominic Mott
Dominic was educated at Shrewsbury School before going to Sandhurst where he was commissioned into the Royal Green Jackets. He subsequently read Modern and Medieval Languages at Queens’ College, Cambridge where he was Boat Club Captain. Before entering the world of education, Dominic worked in a number of fields, including market research, investment banking and politics. Dominic started his teaching career at Highgate School before being promoted to Head of Spanish at Sevenoaks School, eventually running the Modern Languages Faculty. He is now Head of College at Hurst. He is a keen sportsman and marathon runner, and enjoys supporting a wide range of co-curricular activities such as the CCF and school ski trips, for which he is a qualified instructor.
Nigel Parsons
Nigel was educated at Charterhouse and then Harper Adams University. Having studied agriculture and business studies, Nigel worked within the agricultural sector before forming Landmark Systems Ltd., a Pulborough-based IT Company specialising in the rural sector in 1987. The company has grown from a start-up to a sector leading company operating throughout the UK with 35 employees, working closely with farms, estates and property management companies. Nigel is also involved in a small family farming enterprise and property management business.
Nigel is married to Amanda and they have two children. He knows Dorset House well as his son is former pupil.
Kevin Smith
Kevin has been a part of Dorset House school since 2012 when his son joined from a local primary school. Both he and his wife, Natalie, are passionate about Dorset House and currently have two children at DH – in Year 2 and Year 8 – with another due to join in 2027! They will be one of the longest serving families at the school bringing an invaluable perspective of day-to-day life at the school. Kevin has an extensive financial and business background with a career in retail banking and entrepreneurship of over 28 years.