A leading independent school in Newcastle upon Tyne has announced its appointment of a new Chair of Governors.
Dame Allan’s Schools have appointed Mr Brian Adcock as Chair as Mr Elliott Ward stepped down after a decade of service to the Schools.
Mr Ward has shown tireless enthusiasm and support for Dame Allan’s over the last ten years. With a background in finance and property development he was instrumental in supporting the building work at the Schools including a purpose built Sixth Form block, the state-of-the-art Junior School, where he has a room named in his honour, and the Dr Alan Reece Design Technology Centre which opened last year.
Mr Ward is an alumnus of Dame Allan’s, he attended in 1946 and also sent his own children to the Schools. He currently has grandchildren at Dame Allan’s.
As well as a keen interest in education, Mr Ward is also a notable North East businessman. In the early 1980s he founded City and Northern, a property investment and development company.
In 2013 Mr Ward was awarded an MBE for his ‘hands on’ services to education and the community. On the request of the Bishop of Newcastle he helped to locate and develop a site for the offices for the Diocese of Newcastle at Church House, Percy Main, alongside his work for the Schools.
Dame Allan’s presented the outgoing Chair with a stunning piece of pencil and watercolour artwork showing the Senior Site, drawn by Year 13 art student Fergus Nicholson, at a small reception to celebrate his time as Chair.
Mr Ward said: “It has been an honour and a privilege to be Chair of Governors at Dame Allan’s Schools. I have been lucky to work alongside the excellent, capable and committed people who work at Dame Allan’s and I know that under the guidance of Brian Adcock and Deborah Cunningham the Schools will continue to flourish.”
The new Chair of Governors Mr Brian Adcock is also an alumnus of Dame Allan’s, he left in 1969 and also sent his two children to the Schools. Mr Adcock served as Vice Chair of Governors for 10 years and the Schools are thrilled to welcome him to the position of Chair.
Mr Adcock has a broad and varied background, with the vast majority of his career spent in marketing for companies such as Procter & Gamble, Tyne Tees Television and Robson Brown in the North East. Speaking about his appointment Mr Adcock said: “I am of course thrilled to be the new Chair of Governors and am in a very fortunate position as Elliott Ward has left the Schools in such a healthy condition. I am looking forward to carrying on his work and making sure that Dame Allan’s continues to be innovative and challenging.”
The Schools have now appointed Mrs Deborah Cunningham as Vice Chair of Governors. Mrs Cunningham’s background is in HR, she also sent her four children to Dame Allan’s and is a member of the Schools’ parents’ association.
Dr John Hind, Principal of Dame Allan’s Schools said: “Dame Allan’s Schools are indebted to Elliott Ward for the work he has done. He has given his constant, unwavering support and helped with a vast range of projects. His vision and drive have been an inspiration to us all and he will always be an important member of the Dame Allan’s family.
We are however thrilled to welcome Brian Adcock and Deborah Cunningham as Chair and Vice Chair and we know they will show great enthusiasm and passion in their roles.”