Governors

James has two children at Henry Beaufort and younger child at a local primary school, and became a parent governor in 2019. He is an engineer and serving Army Officer with experience in personnel, infrastructure and procurement to apply where helpful, from many years working both in the UK and overseas. Now settled in Winchester, in his spare time he enjoys hill walking, reading and watching rugby with the family.

Melissa’s interest in education and Henry Beaufort comes from being a mother of 3. (Pre, Current and post Henry Beaufort students). Her eldest daughter is now in her final year at university. Her son is currently a pupil and her youngest daughter is at Primary level hoping to come here in a few years. Melissa is a qualified Chartered Management Accountant and has worked with various FMCG companies including Mars Inc and now SC Johnson. Melissa has a passion for learning and development and for over 10 years has taught some modules for the AAT accountancy qualification part-time at Basingstoke college of Technology. This has led to her being a safeguarding governor at a primary school, a role that she is happy to revive here. Melissa is chair of the resources committee and is a member of the pay committee. Currently Melissa is working in a continuous improvement, six sigma type role and is always open to new and leaner ways of working. Melissa’s term of Office as a Co-opted Governor began in early 2020. She is delighted to work with a great team of specialists to support the school.

Gareth Jones joined the governing body in July 2020 and is a parent of a child who started at the school in 2025.

Professionally, Gareth is the Chief Operating Officer at the Centre for Net Zero (founded by Octopus Energy), where he leads the development of AI technology and research to help build a sustainable global energy system. His career began at IBM and is distinguished by experience across the technology sector; he has held senior leadership positions at innovative start-ups SwiftKey and BenevolentAI, alongside key strategic roles at global leaders like Microsoft and Vodafone.

Gareth is passionate about using this experience to benefit the Henry Beaufort community. He is committed to helping the school navigate the challenges of a rapidly changing digital world, ensuring students are equipped with the skills they need for the future, and applying his strategic experience to support the school’s continued success.

Lionel currently works as a project manager for IBM in Hursley, with experience in software support, business development and offering fulfilment, in both national and international roles.

Lionel is one of the founders of Inspired Living, a local charitable group set up in 2010 which aims to promote healthy living through diet and increased activity. In the past 10 years they have raised over £400,000 for cancer charities, primarily through various long-distance bike rides across Europe.

Lionel’s wife, a former teacher, passed away from cancer in 2017 . He has two grown up daughters, one working at the UK Intellectual Property Office, the other in student support at University of Winchester.

Outside of work, Lionel tries to keep fit through cycling, circuit training and running, and he is also trying to develop some gardening capability. In the summer Lionel can also be seen (and heard) driving a 1972 MGB convertible around Harestock and beyond.

Neil lives locally and has one child at Henry Beaufort and another at Harestock Primary. He works in aviation, for a global capacity management organisation, and prior to this spent ten years at Southampton Airport. Away from work he enjoys travel, lifelong learning and following the ups and downs of Southampton FC.

Clinton joined the governor board in 2020. He is a chartered accountant, and works for a publishing company in London. He previously worked in the education, retail, and recycling sectors.

He moved to Winchester in 2010 and since then he played an active role in the local community. He is passionate about the education of children, especially those pupils coming from disadvantaged backgrounds. His family work with children from disadvantaged backgrounds in his native South Africa.