Our Governors
The Governing Body 2022
- Veryan Nield - Chair
- Nicholas Elliott - Vice Chair
- Sam Christian
- Kate Bruges
- Tony Clifford
- Nicholas Dolman
- Nick Fisk
- Joanna Green
- Gavin Horgan
- Eleanor (Nell) Light
- Philip Lough
- Charles Lucas
- Stephen Oxley
- Chris Rose
- Ian Thomas
Veryan Nield - Chair
Biography
A varied education that included a degree in Engineering, a postgraduate degree in Marketing and an MBA resulted in a career that has spanned both large and small businesses - in the UK and internationally. I currently work as a consultant focusing on change - both for individuals and organisations.
I joined the Governing Body in 2014, continuing an association with the school which started with our two boys attending, and thriving, here. Other interests include walking (with my husband, dog and, under protest, our boys) and theatre. I became Chair in 2022.
Nicholas Elliott - Vice Chair
Biography
I am a retired barrister, having spent my working life practising in London specialising in commercial work. I was the editor of various legal works. I graduated from Bristol university in 1971.
I have lived at Potterne with my wife, since 1989. We have two grown up sons. My interests include tennis, walking, skiing, bridge and gardening.
Sam Christian
Biography
Having been sponsored through university on an Army scholarship, I was commissioned from the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst in 1997 following completion of a year of Army Officer training. I then served with the Scottish Infantry, the Royal Engineers and units in Northern Ireland.
On leaving the military, I switched to a city career and early roles were with both a Japanese and US investment bank. I then moved to a start-up asset management firm, leaving after seven years as Managing Director. Since 2014, I have been working for a privately owned London based investment firm and was appointed Chief Executive Officer in March 2018.
With a daughter who was fortunate enough to attend the school, I was honoured to be asked to join the governing body in 2017 and very much look forward to contributing to Dauntsey’s continuing success and development.
Kate Bruges
Biography
I read History at Cambridge University and then joined J. Walter Thompson, the global advertising agency. A director since 1989, I ran blue chip accounts for clients such as Unilever, Esso, Kellogg and Nestle. Following the arrival of three sons I moved into HR, Talent Recruitment and Development with a special focus on diversity and women’s leadership. I was made a Fellow of the IPA for services to the industry in raising professional standards and developed the industry’s first apprenticeships. I now run my own consultancy specialising in brand communications and leadership coaching. I have had one son at Dauntsey’s, when, new to Wiltshire, I became an active member of the DSPA (which I can thoroughly recommend!) and established the Dauntsey's Mentor Network with the aim of bringing the world of work to life for Dauntsey’s pupils.
I live locally in Semington with my husband Richard and a variety of horses, sheep, cows and royal corgi Ruby.
Tony Clifford
Biography
After reading Geography at Cambridge, since 1979 I have worked as an accountant and auditor in London, specialising in banks and complex financial instruments and overseeing and participating in training activities. We have a house in Potterne but have lived there full time only from this summer, after I retired as a partner. I have a wife and two grown-up daughters and my hobbies include walking and climbing, researching the history of the family and the house, and owning three alpacas and a small flock of sheep.
Nicholas Dolman
Biography
My home and place of work is in Wiltshire, my extended family and that of my wife’s family are also based here.
I am a Chartered Building Surveyor, educated at a local comprehensive school, technical college and The Polytechnic of Central London, graduating in 1985.
My children (22 and 24) each spent seven well rounded and happy years at Dauntsey’s. My wife Sally spent her Sixth Form years there too.
I am a new (2020) governor and a member of the Estates Committee.
A keen swimmer of many years, for the past twenty or so particularly an open water swimmer. Kayaking and walking are my other interests which also help me to stay sane in the busy world of work.
Nick Fisk
Biography
I have had a varied career in a wide variety of industry sectors – financial services, energy, water, transport, food manufacturing and property. I qualified as a Chartered Accountant and spent the early part of my career in senior finance director roles in a number of large corporates before moving into interim and project management roles, introducing new ways of working through process improvements and new technology developments. I am now retired but continue to provide advice and support to a number of charitable organisations.
I joined as a Governor of Dauntsey's School in 2013 and I am also a member of the Audit and Risk sub-committee. My interests include golf, tennis, travel and I have two sons, both of whom went to school at Dauntsey’s and I am very proud to continue to my relationship with the school as Governor.
Joanna Green
Biography
Educated in London and later with the OU, I have lived and worked in the Middle East, Far East and North America, as a TEFL teacher and for various charities. Following my degree I worked in HR, and currently work at a local specialist dyslexia school.
My three sons went to Dauntsey’s, as did my father. I became a member of the DSPA and joined Dauntsey’s Choral Society in 2006. I was honoured to be asked to join the governing body in 2018, and am passionate about maintaining the values of kindness, confidence without arrogance, and community, that I observed as a parent when we first visited the school. I live locally with my husband Nick and our two spaniels and became Safeguarding Governor in 2022.
Gavin Horgan
Biography
Thanks to a generous and life changing bursary, I was educated at Stonyhurst College and read Classics at Oxford University.
I have worked for some time in education at a very wide range of schools in both the state and independent sectors as well as internationally in Sri Lanka and Argentina. For 17 years now I have worked in leadership roles and I am currently Headmaster of Millfield.
I am a Mercers’ nominated governor. I joined the governing body in 2021 and I chair the Education Committee. I am married and have two young children. I am at my happiest in the mountains.
Eleanor (Nell) Light
Biography
Following my education at Wycombe Abbey and St Paul’s Girls School, I studied Classics at St Andrew’s University. Following a year as a latin teacher and assistant housemistress at St Leonard’s School for Girls and just under a year studying Polish language in Warsaw, I then attended the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst before commissioning into the Royal Army Medical Corps as a Medical Support Officer. I served for 17 very happy years which included Operational deployments to Kosovo, Iraq and finally I was the Officer Commanding the military ebola hospital in Sierra Leone. During my military career I qualified as a teacher (adults not children) but my main specialty was military medical planning. In 2016 I left the Army and started a business delivering companionship and care to the elderly – Home Instead Senior Care in Andover & East Wiltshire.
I am a member of the Mercers Company and serve on their Education Committee. I am a Dementia Friends Champion and a volunteer for Healthwatch. My interests include sailing anything from a dinghy to a square rigger and shooting. My husband is an Officer in the Irish Guards and I have a son, Fintan.
Philip Lough
Biography
I was educated at Sherborne School and Oxford University and then spent 17 years as a languages teacher and subsequently housemaster at Marlborough College. I also ran the cricket there for some years. Following this I undertook three prep school Headships, one in West Sussex and two in London, before retiring in 2016.
I am currently a Governor of a state school and another independent school, and work part-time as a freelance educational consultant. I live near Dauntsey’s with my wife Christine (another former independent school Head) and we have three adult children. I am a Mercers’ nominated Governor, serving on the Education and Governance Committees, and am also Boarding Governor.
Charles Lucas
Biography
I have lived and worked in Central Wiltshire for most of my working life as a Rural practice Chartered Surveyor and auctioneer. As one of the Old Dauntseian governors I have always taken a keen interest in Dauntsey's. I am a member of the Estates, Infrastructure and Assets committee. I currently live in the Vale of Pewsey about eight miles from the school, with my wife Jo. We have four children all of whom have been educated at Dauntsey's being third generation Dauntseians as my father was also a pupil in the mid 30s. My outside interests revolve around family, sport (mainly watching these days), golf and country pursuits in the winter.
Stephen Oxley
Biography
I was educated at Cheltenham College and qualified as a solicitor in 1981. I live near Andover and am a partner in the Salisbury and London law firm Wilsons Solicitors LLP, where I specialise in education and employment law.
Outside of work, I am the lead guitar player in the Lawbreakers, a local covers band.
I joined the Board of Governors at Dauntsey's in September 2022.
Chris Rose
Biography
I was educated at Charterhouse School and subsequently gained a BSc in Geochemistry at London University and an MA in Strategic Studies at Deakin University, Melbourne. I have enjoyed a 30 year military career and for the last 20 years have served abroad in NATO and EU posts, in both military and latterly civil roles. I am currently consulting in the defence sector and have been appointed by Minister Defence People and Veterans as a representative for the South West.
I am delighted to have joined the governing body as a Mercers’ nominated governor. I am married with two grown-up daughters and my hobbies include ski mountaineering, Nordic skiing, diving, cycling and travelling.
Ian Thomas
Biography
I am originally from Carmarthenshire in South Wales and gained a degree in Microbiology at Cardiff University. After some time in scientific research, I moved into the healthcare industry and remained there for my entire career in a number of commercial leadership roles with two large US medical device companies.
We moved to Wiltshire in 1987, and then between 1999 and 2005 lived in Germany and Switzerland, where my career had taken me. On our return to the UK our children came to Dauntsey's.
My wife Nicky and I returned to live near Cardiff in 2022 with Ted, our Labrador.
I am currently chair of the Finance and General Purposes Committee and sit on the Audit and Risk Committee. Apart from Dauntsey's, I hold a number of other Board roles including Trustee and Director of the Community Foundation of Wales.