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Governance

The college is a registered company limited by guarantee operating within the Dukes Education Group Ltd and is governed by a Board of Directors.

The Board of Directors is assisted by a professional support team and appointed Senior Advisors to review all aspects of college performance and monitoring. This includes safeguarding, fees, staffing, budgets, health and safety, property, admissions and marketing, compliance, inspections, training and development, legal matters, complaints, surveys, and other local college issues.

The Governing Body meets termly to consider reports from the Principal covering all college matters.

The Board appoint the Principal and all other members of the Senior Leadership Team (SLT). The Board, via the Dukes’ Managing Colleges, retains ultimate responsibility for the approval of all policies and developments. They also review regularly their impact on college finances and operations. All operational matters are delegated to the Principal and SLT who are responsible for fulfilling the college’s aims and the successful implementation of the college’s strategic development plan.

To view more details about the governors, please click to expand the roles below:

Chairman

Aatif Hassan
Founder & Chairman, Dukes Education Board

Aatif founded Dukes Education in 2015 with the vision of creating a family of exceptional schools and educators united by a shared purpose: to help every child thrive. Under his leadership, the group has grown to include over 40 schools and nurseries across the UK, providing an inspiring education for students from early years through to sixth form.

In addition to his role as Founder and Chairman of Dukes Education, Aatif serves as Chairman of Cavendish Education—a group of schools supporting pupils with dyslexia and autism—and as a trustee of St James Independent Schools. He holds a first-class degree in Mathematics and Economics, previously served as a British Army officer, and was awarded the Freedom of the City of London in 2020 for his services to education.

Connect with Aatif on LinkedIn

Compliance Director & Safeguarding Governor

Paul Ludlow
Compliance Director & Safeguarding Governor (Colleges UK, Ireland and Switzerland)

Paul has worked in education for over 30 years, bringing extensive experience in safeguarding, boarding, and compliance leadership. Before joining Dukes Education in 2017, Paul held senior positions as Housemaster, Head of Boarding, and Head of Pastoral Care across a range of schools and colleges, including those supporting international students.

In his current role, Paul works closely with Managing Directors and Governors to ensure excellence in safeguarding, health and safety, data protection, and UKVI compliance across the Dukes Colleges in the UK, Ireland, and Switzerland. His depth of experience and steady leadership help maintain the highest standards of care and governance across the group.

Connect with Paul on LinkedIn

Chief Financial Officer

Rob Humphreys
Financial Director – Dukes Colleges

Governor and Managing Director

Jonathan Cuff
Managing Director – Colleges, Dukes Education Board

Jonathan brings over a decade of senior leadership experience in private school settings. He was educated at Brunel University and the University of Leicester, where he earned an MSc in Educational Leadership.

Throughout his career, Jonathan has consistently demonstrated excellence in strategic planning, operational management, and educational innovation. He began his career as a teacher of Religious Studies and Physical Education, later becoming a boarding Housemaster at two different HMC schools over a period of ten years. He subsequently held positions as Deputy Head Pastoral and then Senior Deputy Head at different schools before taking on the role of Principal at d’Overbroeck’s in Oxford. In addition to his role as Principal, Jonathan served as Managing Director of Schools and Colleges for Oxford International Educational Group and Managing Director of UK Schools for Nord Anglia Education.

Jonathan joined Dukes Education in 2023 after spending a year in the Middle East, where he was part of a team that launched a brand-new school for Nord Anglia Education.

Connect with Jonathan on LinkedIn

Senior Advisor & Governor

Niel Roskilly