Staff & Governors

Mr Alex Popplewell MA (Cantab) was educated at Charterhouse and Downing College, Cambridge where he read Economics. He pursued a career in fund management, managing pension funds for a variety of local authority, private sector and religious clients (including the Church of England) before becoming a business consultant in 2012. Currently he specialises in Environmental, Social and Corporate Governance (ESG) work, and sits on the board of a start-up software business. He has four daughters with keen interests in opera and theatre and in cricket; he is an enthusiastic member of the Garrick Club and the MCC. He was appointed as a governor in May 2023 and as Chair of Governors in August 2023.

Mrs Sarah Collister, BS (New York University), MsT (New Saint Andrews College), QTS, has been a Secondary English teacher in the United States and in the United Kingdom. She has a specialised interest in poetry, advanced composition, and the ad fontes approach to teaching literature. Sarah and her husband live in Oxford, where he is a research associate at Pusey House.  Sarah was appointed as a governor in 2023.

Mrs Suzie Cullen, BA (Southampton), is a former Heathfield pupil. Suzie has over 25 years experience in PR for luxury lifestyle brands. She was Deputy MD at leading London PR agency Halpern, working with the agency for 20 years before going freelance. Suzie was appointed as governor in 2021 and is a member of the Marketing, Admissions and Development sub-committee.

Mr Guy Egerton-Smith, FRICS, (Chartered Surveyor), is married to a former Heathfield pupil and is a former Heathfiled parent. Guy is a retired former Director of international property consultants Jones Lang LaSalle, having previously been a Partner then Director of DTZ.  He was a Governor of his daughters’ primary school.  He is a keen Real Tennis player, Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) member, and spent a number of years on an MCC Sub-committee.  Guy was appointed as governor in 2009 and is Chair of the Building sub-committee and a member of the Finance sub-committee.

Miss Charlotte Faber, BA Hons (Newcastle), PGCE, is a former Heathfield pupil.  She was Headmistress of Garden House Girls’ School in London until 2017, where she worked for 12 years.  She now works as an IAPS mentor to new Heads, and is an educational consultant, offering both regulatory and schools advice in the independent sector.  She currently also works for RS Academics, on headship appointments.  Charlotte was appointed as governor in 2018 and is Chair of the Educational, Pastoral and Compliance sub-committee and is the School’s Equality, Diversity and Inclusivity Lead Governor.

Mr Robert Gregory, BSc Hons (Sussex), is a former Heathfield parent. He was HR Director at Grants of St James’s, Mirror Group Newspapers, Maxwell Communications Group and 3i Group plc. Following which he formed his own consultancy and purchased the former P&O national haulage business as equity partner and director.  Robert is Chairman of an Educational charity in India.  Robert was appointed as governor in 2003.

Mrs Karen Hurt is a former Heathfield pupil and present Chair of The Heathfield Fellowship.  Karen is a specialist events manager and customer liaison expert; she currently manages Customer Relations for the UK’s largest perfume distributor.  Karen has lived and worked in many countries around the world and speaks four languages fluently.  Karen was appointed as governor in 2021.

Mrs Anne Lynch, BA Hons (Exeter), PGCE, FRSA, is a modern and classical linguist, who has worked in UK Independent Schools as a teacher and senior leader for over 30 years. She has recently retired as Principal of The Royal School, Haslemere, Surrey, having been Deputy Head (Academic) at Worth School in West Sussex. She has lived abroad in both France and the USA, where she volunteered at the French Institute/Alliance Française in New York City. She is a Director of a French educational charity based in the Auvergne. Anne was appointed as governor in 2021 and is a member of the Educational, Pastoral and Compliance sub-committee and is the School’s Safeguarding Lead Governor.

Mr Steve Melcher, BA (Wesleyan University, Middletown Connecticut), has worked in the banking and insurance industry for 50 years and retired after being CEO of Eagle Star Insurance and Sun life of Canada. He currently is a non-executive on the boards of Allianz Reinsurance Dublin and Just Group PLC. He also currently acts as a coach and mentor for various senior executives in the London area as well as runs a mixed farm business in Surrey.  Steve was appointed as governor in 2020 and is Chair of the Finance sub-committee.

Mrs Annabelle More O’Ferrall, LLB (Hons)(Edin), is a former Heathfield pupil. She is a retired solicitor having spent many years working in the investment funds arena with a key role in multi-advisory teams structuring products for retail and institutional distribution. She has worked both in the City and abroad, mostly with Norton Rose and Jupiter Asset Management. Annabelle was appointed as a governor in 2022 and is a member of the Educational, Pastoral and Compliance sub-committee.

The Hon Mrs Peter (Frances) Stanley DL is a former Heathfield pupil, former Heathfield parent and a current member of The Heathfield Fellowship committee. Frances is also Director of Newmarket Racecourses. She and her husband breed thoroughbred horses on their stud farm.  Frances has been involved and led several fundraising and community projects raising funds for organisations including the National Horseracing Museum where she is a Trustee. Frances was appointed a Deputy Lieutenant of Cambridgeshire in 2019.  Frances was appointed as governor in 2017 and is Chair of the Marketing, Admissions & Development sub-committee.

Mrs Sally Tulk-Hart is a former Heathfield pupil, former Heathfield parent and current member of The Heathfield Fellowship committee. She was Chairman of the Heathfield Council between 1999 and 2005, Chairman of the Heathfield Parents’ Association and Chairman of the Heathfield Fundraising Board for the Swimming Pool.  Sally was appointed as governor in 1999 and is a member of the Marketing, Admissions and Development sub-committee and Educational, Pastoral and Compliance sub-committee.

Senior Leadership Team

Headmistress – Sarah Rollings, BSc Hons (Brunel), MA (Open), has a first-class degree in Secondary Education with Geography and Physical Education. Sarah was awarded the Bergman Osterberg award, a national award in recognition of her dissertation, as well as the Prydderch Williams Prize for Education by her university. Sarah has an MA in Educational Leadership and Management and has completed the University of Oxford Executive Leadership Programme at the Saïd Business School. She has a wealth of leadership experience in girls’ schools: prior to Heathfield, Sarah was Senior Deputy Head at a leading all through school in Oxfordshire, and was previously Director of Sport and Head of Year (Sixth Form) at St Helen and St Katharine, Abingdon. Sarah is also Chair of the GSA Sports and Wellness Committee.

Bursar and Clerk to the Governors – Rachel Frier, BSc Hons (Bristol), BFP, FCA, was appointed Bursar of Heathfield School in August 2015. Prior to this she was the Bursar at The Marist School in Sunninghill. Rachel started her career as an auditor for a Top 10 firm of accountants before moving into industry working for the UK head offices of several global corporations in various commercial and financial roles. Rachel volunteers as a Governor at a maintained secondary school in Guildford, Surrey.

Deputy Head (Academic) – David Mitchell, MEd (Buckingham), MA (Hull), MSc (York), BA Hons (Warwick), PGCE (UWE), has taught extensively in the state sector prior to moving to Heathfield School. Formerly an Assistant Headteacher and Head of Sixth Form at an outstanding school, David is very experienced in developing teaching, learning and pastoral care.

Deputy Head (Pastoral & Boarding) and DSL – Lou Scott, BA Hons QTS and PGDiPP (Chichester) joined Heathfield in 2023 from her role as Deputy Principal (Pastoral) at the International School of Milan. A keen sportswoman and passionate educator she has a firm belief in the value of girls’ education underpinned by a strong system of pastoral support. Lou spent a decade working in GSA boarding schools. She began her teaching career at The Royal School, Haslemere, followed by 7 years at Haberdashers’ Monmouth School for Girls undertaking a variety of roles; Director of Sport, PE & Dance, Head of Year and DofE Manager. Lou also has extensive experience volunteering in lacrosse governance and leadership with both the Welsh and Italian associations.

Assistant Head (Co-curricular) – Wendy Reynolds, BEd Hons (Liverpool), attended a boarding school herself. After 9 years at Benenden she became Head of PE at St. Swithun’s School, Winchester, before moving on to Queen Anne’s to become Head of PE and Assistant Head Co-Curricular. She represented her country for 13 years as England goalkeeper and has also been awarded an Emeritus by the International Lacrosse governing body for her all-round contribution to lacrosse as a player, coach and umpire.

Assistant Head (Pastoral and Boarding) and Deputy DSL – Andrew Valner, MA (Nottingham), BA (Nottingham), PGCE (London)

Assistant Head (Operations) – Clare Wells, BSc Hons (Bath), PGCE (Exeter)

Director of Marketing & Admissions – Anna Morgan, MCIM, MIDM, joined Heathfield School in November 2015 from Notre Dame School in Cobham, Surrey where she was Director of Marketing & Admissions for 2 years. Prior to this Anna ran her own design, marketing and events company in London for 25 years working on a wide variety of multi-million pound projects for numerous blue chip companies.

Staff List