School Board

Amy Martin 

Chair of the 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. Before 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 into what it is today. 
Instilling the values of both tradition and innovation within her leadership, Amy's ethos as CEO is very people-focused – while students remain at the heart of QE, Amy has made it a priority to ensure staff are recognised and supported in their integral role in the overall success of Queen Ethelburga’s.

Matthew Adshead 

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 Board of Queen Ethelburga’s, York, since December 2015, with a responsibility to work closely with King's 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 

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 School Board.

Chris Hall 

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. He holds directorships within several other diverse businesses.

Karen Howells Lee

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 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.

John Southworth

School Board - Director

John brings a wealth of experience in the education sector. He currently holds several significant positions, including Head of SchoolTV UK, Strategic Advisor for the Education Advisory Board at Wild Search, Educational Consultant, Advisory Board member at Landon Harmondsworth School, and Vice Chair of Governors (Compliance, Education) at Highfield Priory. Notably, he served as Chair of the Independent Schools Association (ISA) from September 2021 to August 2022, during which he also chaired the ISA GPC and Executive Council and was a member of the Independent Schools Council Board and Sustainability Advisory Group. Prior to this, he held the role of Principal at MPW London and is a former school inspector.

Before his tenure at MPW London, John was the Principal of Lansdowne College and served as Vice Chair of CIFE. Before then he was Director of Co-Curriculum at The Perse School, Cambridge. Prior to his extensive career in education, John had a distinguished military career spanning two decades. His educational background includes a MSc in Defence Technology and a BSc (Eng) Hons in Engineering from Leicester University. John lives locally in Knaresborough and enjoys fishing, walking, golf and cycling.