Governing Body

Christian is the Chair of the Board of Governors. He joined the Board in 2017 and chaired the Finance Committee until 2022. He has worked in middle-market private equity and private debt for over 25 years and is currently a Senior Advisor to international alternative asset managers. He has served on numerous boards of private companies in the UK and Germany. Christian serves on the Launch Group Panel of The Prince’s Trust. He has twin daughters; both were pupils at the Old Vicarage School.

To contact the Chair of Governors, please write to:

Mr C Heidl, c/o Old Vicarage School, 48 Richmond Hill, Richmond, Surrey TW10 6QX, email c/o bursar@oldvicarageschool.com

Sarah joined the Board in 2017. She is a qualified solicitor with over 18 years’ experience in Employment Law. She worked in a law firm for many years before joining BP as an in-house employment lawyer in their HR department. Sarah’s daughter was a pupil at the Old Vicarage School.

Lucy became a Governor in 2021. She trained as a lawyer at a magic circle firm in the City, moved into legal learning and development whilst raising her young children, and now heads a corporate team in another law firm. She also sits on the Board of a charity Step by Step, which supports young people going through hard times. Both her daughters were pupils at the Old Vicarage School

Serena is a Managing Director at PR and communications agency LM Communications in London. She is a current parent with 3 daughters at OVS.

Clare became a Governor in 2022. She is a Clinical Psychologist at Great Ormond Street Hospital, with over 25 years of experience in child health. She is currently the lead psychologist for a number of surgical services, with a focus on enhancing the well-being of children, parents and staff and their ability to cope with illness difference and disability. Clare is also a Committee Member of the Paediatric Psychology Network of the British Psychological Society. Clare is a current parent. Clare is the OVS’ Medical Governor.

Dominic became a governor in 2025. He initially practised as a corporate lawyer in a City law firm before moving into finance as an investment banker at Rothschild & Co in 2006. He subsequently moved across to Rothschild & Co’s private wealth business where he is currently Co-Head of Client Relationships. Dominic’s daughter was a pupil at The Old Vicarage School.

Frank became a Governor in 2025. Frank is Co-Head of Power, Utilities and Renewables at Morgan Stanley’s Investment Banking Division and he holds a Masters in International Economics from the University of Amsterdam and an MBA from the Tuck School of Business at Dartmouth College.  Frank’s daughter was a pupil at the Old Vicarage School.

Ed joined the Board of Governors in 2025. He has over 20 years’ experience working within secondary education and has held 5 separate Senior Leadership roles in two successful day and boarding schools, with particular expertise in 11+ admissions and transition. Ed is currently Assistant Head: Futures and Progression at Epsom College.

Claire became a Governor in 2025. She is a practicing barrister with over 20 years' experience in Criminal Law.   Claire is a former Old Vicarage School pupil, and her daughter is a current pupil.

Steve became a Governor in 2021. He read Chemistry at Magdalen College, Oxford before qualifying as a chartered accountant. He is a Governance specialist, working with Board Excellence since 2024.  He was previously a senior audit partner at KPMG with particular experience in the Media, Leisure and Property sectors. Steve’s daughter was a pupil at the Old Vicarage School.

Nadine joined the Board of Governors in 2024. She brings over 20 years of experience in healthcare communications, having transitioned from her background as a trained pharmacist. Now a member of the senior leadership team at Ogilvy Health UK, she leads the Medical Education division. Nadine's daughters are former pupils of the Old Vicarage School.

Kavita joined the Board of Governors in 2021.  She read Genetics at Liverpool University before going on to the Institute of Education to study for her PGCE. Kavita was in senior roles for 12 years at The Tiffin Girls’ School before joining Surbiton High School in 2012, where she is currently the Vice Principal – Staff Development.

Alison joined the Board of Governors in 2023. Alison is a member of the senior leadership team of IBM UK with 20+ years of experience in technology strategy and sales. During her IBM career, Alison has held a series of senior leadership roles including Chief Digital Officer, and Director, Customer Success. Alison also serves as an UK & Ireland Board Director of IBM Financial Services Ltd. Alison is a current parent.