15 January 2025

A New Chair of Governors 

All staff at Ryde School would like to say a huge thank you to Professor Christoph Lees who has been Chair of Governors for six and a half years.
Prior to this Christoph started as a Governor in 2013 leading the Strategic Committee and then Vice Chair.

Stepping down and handing over to his successor, Chantal Aimee Doerries, we thank Christoph for all his years of hard work and dedication to the School and for staying on the committee. Christoph attended Ryde School from 1975 to 1984 and said stepping down feels “almost like leaving the Sixth Form again”.

With a distinguished career in London, we are lucky to have had Christoph’s experience and guidance as Chair of Governors during an eventful seven years, from dealing with COVID, the new Boarding Houses, the building of our Jenny Kerry Performing Arts Centre, Westhill Nursery and a change of Head Master.

Christoph said “when I come to the School and speak to pupils I'm struck by their confidence, knowledge and courtesy and this comes from their having a clear view of the School and understanding of its values”.

Christoph’s successor Chantal-Aimee Doerries KC has been on the Governing Board since 2014. Chantal-Aimee practices from Atkin Chambers in Gray’s Inn, where she is currently Head of Chambers and has been King’s Counsel since 2008. We look forward to welcoming her as the new Chair of Governors.