Leaders & Governors

My Academic is economics, a subject that I have been teaching since 1993. I joined CHS in 2000 as a classroom teacher and spent 10 years as Head of Department, before joining the Senior Leadership Team in 2011. Since then I have been responsible for the Co-Curricular and Academic life of the School and, most recently, for overseeing day-to-day operations as Senior Deputy Head.

My Active is the outdoors – walking, cycling, kayaking and sailing whenever I get the chance. If I’m inside, I’m likely to be reading a book, but I also love cooking, film, live music, art, history and travel. 

My Altruistic is volunteering, as a school governor for many years but now at the East Lancashire Railway. This involves getting up at a ridiculously early hour on the weekend to prepare, clean and fire steam locomotives, which does make me occasionally question my sanity, particularly in the middle of winter! 

My CHS is welcoming, warm, caring & open-minded. It is a place where young people can find out who they really are, and who they really want to be for the rest of their lives.

My Academic life has spanned over 20 years across the state and independent sector and in a senior leadership position for 10. I have loved every role I have fulfilled in education from my first year as a PE and Science teacher in Trafford to my most recent as Senior Deputy at CHS. Teaching is the best job in the world and working with young people is my greatest privilege. I am proud of achieving a distinction in my MBA in 2023 whilst working full time.

My Active CHS is active! I have a passion for the outdoors and particularly love being in the hills and swimming in the sea. And I love that I now play hockey and netball with my daughter (even though I have had to accept she may now well be a better player than me… ) I also love to travel and to explore new places and meet new people.

My Altruistic is the little things; being kind, doing the right thing, smiling, giving your time generously and without wanting anything in return. I am a governor at one of our local state partner primary schools and coach at a local netball club. I am particularly proud of the community work we do here at CHS through our many and varied outreach programmes engaging our students, staff and parents alike.

My CHS is kind, inclusive and creative; a place where every unique individual matters equally and is supported, valued and celebrated for who they are. 

My Academic is a passion for History & Politics, subjects I have taught at CHS since 2005. I led the History & Politics departments here for a number of years, before becoming Head of Sixth Form and then Deputy Head (Academic) in 2020. I love the way our students respond to the changing debates in History & Politics, where current events may drastically change how we approach what we study. Now I am responsible for the broader academic life of the school, I am proud of our diverse, dynamic and purposeful curriculum, and am excited about how we keep it relevant to a changing world.

My Active is travel. I have been lucky enough to join trips to Washington DC, Moscow & St Petersburg, Rome, Krakow and the WWI Battlefields in my time at CHS, and seeing the impact of those visits on our students has been a privilege that has impacted me as much as any of our students. Outside of CHS, I have discovered the joys of running (relatively) late in life, and now can’t stop!

My Altruistic is about our everyday actions – giving time to others, trying to ensure all voices are heard and helping provide platforms for our students to give their time and expertise to others. I love seeing CHS students in our local community, working with children at local primary schools or bringing older members of our community into school for coffee and cake!

My CHS is best reflected by our Waconian Value of contribution – so much of day to day CHS life is preparing students to head out into the world to make it a better place. Whether it is a History lesson about the challenges to democracy in the twentieth century, a Year 8 project asking ‘How can my knowledge shape the future?’, mentoring younger students in Maths or debating at Model United Nations, they all lead to Waconians leaving us ready to contribute to the world.

Since joining CHS in 2020, I’ve loved leading such a vibrant and caring community where curiosity and kindness shine. One of the best parts of my role is that I still get to teach across the school and spend time getting to know our amazing children as they learn, grow and discover their passions.

My Academic: I hold a BA (Hons) in Marketing, a PGDE in Primary Education, and a National Professional Qualification for Headship. After working in Scottish state and international schools, I joined CHS in 2020 as Head of the Junior School, having previously taught and led across EYFS, KS1 and KS2 as Assistant Head, Deputy Head and Head.

Once centred around football, my Active now reflects a love of travel and adventure — from skydiving and ice swimming to exploring over 70 countries. These days, it’s more about early morning wild swims and chasing my twin boys around parks and ancient ruins, usually in the rain.

My Altruistic is giving back and supporting others is central to my values. I’ve summitted Mt Kilimanjaro, completed marathons and an ultramarathon for causes close to my heart. I continue to champion holistic education on a national level, serve as a co-opted education governor specialising in SEND and developed then delivered a Teaching & Learning (Middle Leaders – Quality Assurance) module for University College London.

My CHS is a place where children and colleagues feel safe, inspired and supported to find their passions and purpose.

To follow 

My Academic:  Unusually for someone working in a school environment, my academic and professional background is in Nursing. I hold a BSc (Hons) in Nursing and an MSc in Health and Social Care Management, supported by a 30-year career in the NHS.

I qualified as a Registered General Nurse (Adult) in 1994 and following completion of my Master’s degree, I progressed into operational management roles, including senior leadership positions within community health services and the prison service.

In my current role, I continue my journey in operational management, drawing on a wealth of experience in leadership, governance, risk management, and service improvement.

My Active: I enjoy keeping active by walking my two sausage dogs—despite their little legs, they are enthusiastic walkers. I have also recently started running and joined a local running club, which has been a great way to combine exercise with social connection. I enjoy travelling and visiting new places, and at home I love sewing and being creative.

My Altruistic:  My altruistic values are deeply rooted in my nursing career. I have had many positive experiences, as well as some very challenging ones, all of which have strengthened my commitment to supporting others. I have a particular interest in positive mental health and a strong desire to listen and support anyone who needs help.

My CHS is a warm and welcoming community, where staff and pupils live the Waconian values and care for one another. The School’s heritage, architecture, and beautiful estate reflect its strong identity, values, and culture.

The design and accessibility of the school grounds demonstrate a strong commitment to community and inclusion. The open spaces encourage social interaction and connection, reinforcing CHS as a supportive and inclusive environment for all.

My Academic is French. My passion for the subject led me to study it alongside International Management at the University of Manchester. From there, I began my career in marketing in investment banking before joining a global fundraising consultancy and later a development role in higher education. 

My Active is cooking, hosting or eating out with family and friends. It is exploring a city, parkrun and playing the piano. 

My Altruistic is creating opportunities. At CHS it’s raising funds for bursaries to enable amazing young people to join the school. Outside of work it is connecting state school pupils with relatable role models through a not-for-profit organisation I set up. 

My CHS is a busy, happy community.  It is the Old Waconian who talks about the kindness they were shown when they first arrived as a boarder in the 1950s. It is the confident young people who leave this school today, imbued with a strong moral compass and a feeling that they should strive to make the world a better place. 

• Chair of Board of Governors
• Finance & Resource Committee

Chris Roberts is a surveyor, and has been with Bruntwood, a large property investment and development company, primarily based in the North of England, for 17 years. He is currently a Director of the business with particular responsibility for acquisition and development of new projects. He is also acting as Director of Manchester Science Park.

Chris’s daughter is an Old Waconian from the Class of 2022.

• Deputy Chair Board of Governors
• CHS Bursary Trust Fund (Chair)
• CHS Enterprises (Chair)
• Education and Pupil Progress Committee
• Nominations Committee (Chair)
• Safeguarding and Pupil Experience Committee
• Trustee of CHS 150th Anniversary Bursary Trust Fund

Dr Riley worked as a general practitioner before retiring in 2014. During that time he had a special interest in medical education. He has since completed a two year Christian ministry training course.

In addition to his role as a governor, Dr Riley is also a trustee of Cheadle Hulme School 150th Anniversary Bursary Trust, and a vice-president of the Old Waconians’ Association.

Dr David Riley has been associated with Cheadle Hulme School for over 40 years, initially as a pupil and then as a parent, with both his daughters attending the School, and in 2001 he became a governor.

• Safeguarding Governor
• Safeguarding and Pupil Experiences Committee (Chair)
• Risk Committee

Martin Tyley is a Partner at KPMG LLP based out of the Manchester office where he leads the consulting practice across the North of England and the Cyber Security practice nationally. Martin’s clients include Premier League football clubs, retailers, banks and parts of the Critical National Infrastructure where he advises on how those organisations can best protect themselves from organised crime, nation states and other threat actors.

Martin spent a year in Italy, teaching English as a foreign language and then began a career in technology in the late 1990’s.

At KPMG Martin leads a national cyberchampions.org initiative aimed at educating children from Years 5 to 11 on internet safety covering topics such as cyber-bullying and staying safe online. Martin has also worked extensively with fostering and adoption agencies to educate adult carers.

Martin was educated at Cheadle Hulme School and read History at Manchester Metropolitan University.

• Finance and Resources Committee (Chair)
• Nominations Committee

Jodi Birkett is a partner in Deloitte’s North West Transaction Services team, focusing predominantly on privately owned and private equity backed businesses with over 13 years’ experience working on a broad range of transactions. Jodi is a member of the senior leadership team in the North West, with responsibility for leading the Technology, Media and Telecoms sector group. Jodi is also on the TS leadership team and locally has responsibility for leading Deloitte’s Next Generation CFO Programme

Financial Advisory Communications Partner (2012-2015)

Previous involvement with Prince’s Trust mentoring, Deloitte Access Scheme (CV writing workshops, speaking to Sixth Formers), mentoring under-graduates through Upreach and Sheffield alumni mentoring programme)

Jodi received a 1 st Class (BSc) Hons from Sheffield University.

• Governor
• Finance and Resources Committee

Michael Bolingbroke is the CEO and Executive Producer of ABBA Voyage, a Non-Executive Director on the Board of Pophouse Entertainment AB (a developer of entertainment industry IP), and a member of UEFA’s Club Financial Control Body (the body that oversees Financial Fairplay).

Previously, Michael was the CEO of Inter Milan Football Club, and was based in Milan where his scope of responsibilities spanned the entire business, both on and off the pitch. Prior to this, Michael was COO at Manchester United FC, a position he held for seven years and Chairman of the Club’s charitable Foundation. His remit included the Club’s corporate management, the operations and revenue generation at Old Trafford, operations at the Club’s training complex and club secretarial functions. He was the Principal Financial Officer for their NYSE listing in summer 2012. Prior to working in football, Michael spent six years as Senior Vice-President, Shows, at Cirque du Soleil, where he managed strategy, profitability and operations for the global business. Earlier in his career, he was a Senior Vice President at The Jim Henson Company. Michael’s first role was as an audit manager at PwC and he is a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants.

His BA degree is in Economics from Reading University, and he has an MBA, awarded with Distinction, from the London Business School.

• Governor
• Finance and Resources Committee
• Risk Committee (Chair)
• Nominations Committee

Claire Thomson is the Chief Finance Officer of The Pebble Group plc, a market leading provider of products, services and technology to the global promotional products industry. Having worked with the Group for over twelve years, Claire has been heavily involved in its growth and instrumental in its transition to a Private Equity funded business in 2012 and its listing on AIM in December 2019. Prior to joining The Pebble Group, Claire trained and practiced at PwC.

Claire has a degree in English and American literature from the University of Manchester and has 2 children. Claire’s daughter currently attends the school and her son is an Old Waconian from the Class of 2024.

• Governor
• CHS Bursary Trust Fund Committee

Stuart Abraham works for Slalom (professional services & business consulting company). Before joining his previous role at Willis Towers Watson in 2018, Stuart spent 20 years with Accenture as a strategy and transformation consultant where he worked with many industry-leading businesses to build high performing teams, to develop executable strategies and to deliver successful change initiatives.

Stuart was educated at Whitgift School in South Croydon, graduated from Durham University with a first class degree in English Literature and moved to Cheshire 12 years ago to raise his family. Stuart has two sons at the school and the younger two are hoping to follow them in due course.

• Governor
• Education and Pupil Progress Committee (Chair)

Graeme Wright is the Head Master of Altrincham Grammar School for Boys, a selective state grammar school. Prior to this appointment, he was Senior Deputy Headmaster at Victoria College, a selective HMC School in Jersey. Graeme also taught at Liverpool College, The King’s School in Macclesfield and Trent College where he was Head of Senior School. He has a degree in History from Liverpool University, qualified as a teacher at Manchester University and has an MA in Educational Leadership and Management from Nottingham University.

Prior to teaching, Graeme served in the Royal Marines for seven years, where he took part in operational tours of Northern Ireland and the former Yugoslavia.

• Governor
• Finance and Resources Committee
• Risk Committee

Richard is a partner in the Finance team at international law firm Addleshaw Goddard and is based in Manchester. Richard has been with AG since joining as a trainee in 2003 and has been a partner since 2014. He advises lenders and corporate borrowers on a range of financing transactions and, prior to becoming a solicitor, worked for PwC’s insolvency practice.

Richard has a daughter who attends the School and has been a Governor since 2021.

• Governor
• CHS Bursary Trust Fund
• Safeguarding and Pupil Experiences Committee.

Belinda Matthews runs marketing across the UK, Europe, Middle East and Africa for the US technology firm Verint – a multi award-winning firm offering leading-edge AI and analytic solutions within the customer engagement, software as a service space.

Prior to her position at Verint, Belinda was part of the senior leadership team at GRI UK – one of the most profitable companies in the Bain portfolio and the UK’s most successful neutral vendor and temporary workforce management technology firm. Earlier in her career Belinda ran the UK content partnership between the world’s No1 HR services firm, Randstad and the Williams Formula One team, working with drivers including Susie Wolff, Valtteri Bottas and Bruno Senna.

Belinda (Class of 1994) joined CHS in 1986 as a full bursary student – an experience she often cites as being ‘utterly transformative’. She has been heavily associated with the School for a number of decades including numerous career and bursary promotion talks to students, staff and parents over the years and she is a trustee of the CHS bursary fund.

• Governor

Nici’s career began in the charity sector. She worked as a Fundraiser and Director of Young Leadership at UJIA before moving back to Manchester to join the family business, Swizzels Matlow, a confectionery manufacturer. Starting on the shop floor, Nici discovered her passion for people and pursued a Masters in Human Resource Management. She is now a Chartered Member of the CIPD, Head of HR, and a Board Director at Swizzels Matlow. At Swizzels, Nici focuses on strategic development, training and implementing best practices. She also holds a Masters in International Business

Nici is an Old Waconian, attending CHS from the Junior School. She also had a daughter in the school who finished in the class of ‘25.

As well as being a Governor, Nici is a Trustee of UJIA and a Trustee of the Manchester based Mustard Tree Charity.