Meet our Governors

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Our Trust of Schools

Ann Denner

Chair

Coming soon

Caroline Brothwood

Principal / Ex Officio

Coming Soon

Chris Harvey

Co-opted Governor

Chris is passionate about learning and development. He has worked in the health and social care space since 1974, originally in pathology as a Chartered Scientist, then pivoting his career into regulation, inspection, compliance and audit where he drafted public performance and scrutiny reports. With significant exposure at board level as director of business development acquiring services, Chris ultimately established his own business, consulting at director level on corporate and clinical governance, audit and risk management. He continues to offer strategic support to a number of organisations. Chris has been a vice chair of governors of an independent school in Wiltshire, a governor of an independent school in Hampshire and a governor at the Royal National College for the Blind in Hereford. He is an accomplished photographer, specialising in alternative and historical techniques.

Kathy Neve

Co-opted Governor

I am fortunate enough to have had several careers, first spending five years travelling the world as a dancer, singer and actress, and then going to Oxford University to study Mandarin Chinese amongst other languages. This was followed by a further five years working in the City of London for merchant banks and management consultancies, looking after their PR and marketing strategies. After my marriage, my husband and I moved to Devon, and with a young family to consider I decided to train as a teacher. I worked in Exeter for many years, teaching French, German, Spanish and Mandarin. I was appointed Head of Enterprise Education, and was later appointed to the role of Head of Careers and Work Related Learning. I left teaching in 2015 and worked for two years as Activities Manager in a specialist dementia care home before taking retirement.

Our two boys are now grown up and are busily pursuing their very different careers. I spend my time volunteering at the vaccination centre in Exeter and have served for many years on the civilian committee of the Honiton Air Cadet squadron. Any spare time I have is devoted to gardening, supporting the local cafés with a book in tow, and planning the next travel adventure on my list.

I am currently on the Quality of Education Committee. I am the Link Governor for Careers and I am the Duke of Edinburgh Verifier for the College.

Debbie Stuart

Co-opted Governor

I taught in Kenya for three and a half years before returning to the UK in 1990. I spent the next nine years teaching Chemistry, Maths and other subjects as Head of Careers and PSHE at a Comprehensive School in Reading. I enjoyed sports, played hockey, and I also did voluntary work. I moved to Cheltenham in 1999 when I married Ian and taught for the next nineteen years at a school in Gloucester. I organised the staff Triathlon team and continued to enjoy cycling with our 3 children in tow on our tandem or triplet bike, covering many miles.

In 2018 we decided as a family to move to Devon and the youngest started HCC in year 10. I have been very happy in my teaching career and fortunate to teach so many amazing and inspiring students over the years. I have loved my job and continue to do supply teaching. I also attend Spanish lessons, classes at Honiton LED and am learning to play the piano.

I joined HCC as a Parent Governor in December 2019; I was Chair of the Quality of Education Committee, Vice-Chair of Pay and Performance Committees and am currently the Link Governor for SEND. I am excited for the future and look forward to becoming more involved with HCC.

Martin Redfern

Co-opted Governor

I first moved to East Devon in 1991 when I took up a teaching post as a Teacher of Design and Technology at The Kings school. I have lived in Honiton for the last 22 years and I currently work part-time as an NHS Psychological Therapist & Drama therapist working with Adults with severe and complex mental health struggles. In addition, I have 5 years’ experience as Senior Mental Health Practitioner with CAMHS and 10 years’ experience employed by Devon County as a tutor working with pupils who are out of school for various reasons.

My role as a Governor at HCC started in April 2024 and I hope I am able to make a positive contribution to the college which plays such a crucial role in the lives of local children, young people, their families and the wider community.

Sarah Nicholas

Co-opted Governor

Coming soon

Martyn Brake

Parent Governor

Since graduating I have held various roles within the field of IT and I now work at the University of Exeter supporting researchers with their IT requirements. I really enjoy the variety from working in higher education and research.

I joined the Governing Body in 2021 as a Parent Governor. I appreciate the opportunity to support the college in any way possible.

Lynsey Lawrence

Parent Governor

coming soon

Krisha Gandhi

Trust Link Governor

As the former Director of Education for an all-through school, I bring broad experience across both primary and secondary stages, having taught from EYFS to KS5.

Currently, I serve as a Primary Headteacher and Senior Deputy Head of Campus in Cranbrook, where much of our thinking considers what a smooth transition between primary and secondary education consists of.

In addition to my professional role, I am a published writer, a keen football player, and an avid language learner with proficiency in Mandarin Chinese, Spanish, and Russian. I am deeply aligned with HCC’s values of kindness, curiosity, and resilience. My background in inclusive and ambitious educational settings equips me well to support, challenge, and advocate for HCC’s continued growth and success in my role as governor. I'm looking forward to meeting students, staff and the wider community as I get to know HCC more.

Declan Farrell

Staff Governor

I’m really pleased to represent our hard-working staff at Honiton Community College as their staff governor. Prior to working at Honiton Community College, I have worked as a SENDCo in the West Midlands for 7 years before relocating to the wonderful county of Devon with my family during the summer of 2023.

I have previously been a governor at a large, mainstream primary school in Staffordshire and my role involved supporting the school to develop inclusive policy and practice and advise on emergent trends in special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). I have also worked on behalf of a large multi-academy trust in the West Midlands to support the development of SEND provision across a range of schools.

I trained to be a teacher of Physical Education at Loughborough University in 2013 and have also worked as an Events Coordinator for a national sport and physical activity charity in the build up to the 2012 Olympic games.

Away from work, I am happiest when I’m in or on the water and love paddleboarding and being part of a local lifesaving club!

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