Collegiate Board

Amy Martin 

Chair of the Collegiate Board

Educated to Masters level, with a BA (Hons) in Business Management and a BSc in Construction Project Management, both from Northumbria University. 

As an Old Ethelburgian herself, Amy has first-hand experience of the QE student experience, from 1991 to 2002. Prior to taking the helm as Chief Executive Officer in 2015, Amy worked in the Estates Department of Thorpe Underwood Estate, managing many of the multi-million pound build projects that have shaped Queen Ethelburga’s to be what it is today. 
Instilling the values of both tradition and innovation within her leadership, Amy's ethos as CEO is very people-focused – whilst students remain very much at the heart of QE, Amy has made it a priority to ensure staff are recognized and supported in their integral role in the overall success of Queen Ethelburga’s.

Jackie Hales 

Collegiate Board - Director

Jackie is a Goldsmiths, University of London graduate and an experienced educator and senior leader within the independent school sector. Her contribution to the growth and success of Queen Ethelburga’s over the past thirty years means she has a profound understanding of the development of the four schools. 

Jackie has held crucial developmental senior roles in pastoral care and health and safety. She has also conducted inspections with the Independent Schools Inspectorate, bringing a wealth of knowledge and experience to her Collegiate Board role overseeing compliance since 2016.

Matthew Adshead 

Collegiate Board - Director

Matthew trained to teach at Homerton College, Cambridge, with the intention of becoming a school proprietor. He qualified as a Secondary specialist in 1997, teaching Humanities and coaching a lot of Rugby. He then moved into the Preparatory School Sector as a senior leader before achieving his dream of school ownership in 2007, at The Old Vicarage School, Darley Abbey, Derbyshire. 

Matthew has been a Director on the Collegiate Board of Queen Ethelburga’s College, York, since December 2015, with a responsibility to work closely with Kings Magna and Chapter House. He is also a Governor at Reigate Grammar School. He was recently appointed as the ISA Regional Ambassador for London South in September 2022.

Laurence McKell 

Collegiate Board - Director

Laurence has had a long and successful career within the educational sector, with over 30 years of experience specifically within boarding schools in the North of England. Laurence has been a foundation governor of a local primary school close to where he lives and has inspected for ISI. 

He is part of a team of expert and experienced consultants in the field of independent education in the United Kingdom, working with Governing Bodies and School Leadership. A former member of HMC, BSA, ISA, and CISC, with extensive headship and senior management roles, he brings his wealth of knowledge and skills to the QE Collegiate Board.

Chris Hall 

Collegiate Board - Director

A Chartered Accountant and a graduate of the University of Bristol with 30 years of experience working within Financial Services and the Service Sector, including 14 years as Chief Finance Officer at Queen Ethelburga’s Collegiate. He holds directorships within several other diverse businesses.

Karen Howells Lee

Collegiate Board - Director

A graduate of Loughborough University, Karen began her career in insurance in 1991, now acting COO and company Director. Karen has been a member of the Collegiate Board for 15 years, during which time she has taken a strong and confident lead in supporting safeguarding practice, student welfare, and the provision of excellent boarding and pastoral care.