Governors
Chairman: Dr J R Goepel MB ChB, FRCPath
After reading medicine at Sheffield, John stayed on as a pathologist with the University of Sheffield and then Sheffield Teaching Hospitals, specialising in cancer diagnosis. He was Admissions Sub Dean to the Medical School for 3 years, and is an examiner for the Royal College of Pathologists. A governor since October 2003 and a former parent - both daughters were in the 6th form. Married to Janet, a lecturer in education at Sheffield Hallam. Two grandchildren give much pleasure. At church he has had involvement in music and two periods of office as churchwarden, and is now enjoying participation in music making with a local orchestra (double bass).
D F Booker BA FCA
David Booker is a Chartered Accountant running his own practice in Sheffield. He is a past parent with two sons who went through the senior school. He is active in local charities as a Trustee of the Church Burgesses, the Sheffield Grammar School Exhibition Fund and Whirlow Grange Conference Centre. He was secretary of Fulwood Squash Club for 10 years and his hobbies include tennis, bridge, choral music and walking the family springer spaniel.
The Reverend Canon Christopher Mark Burke LLB MA
Born in Beverley, East Yorkshire, Chris was educated locally before reading law at Coventry Polytechnic. His theological studies were undertaken at Ripon College, Cuddesdon in Oxford, Tamil Nadu Theological Seminary in South India and Heythrop College, University of London. He is currently undertaking doctoral studies at King’s College, London.
Chris was ordained in 1992 in York Minster and served initially as Assistant Curate in Nunthorpe and then as Vicar of South Bank, two contrasting parishes in Middlesbrough, before being appointed as Rector of Stepney in March 2002. In 2010 he began a new post as Residentiary Canon for Learning and Development at Sheffield Cathedral with a particular focus on community and congregational growth, mission and catechesis.
He has served on a wide variety of local charitable trusts and organizations. He was also a governor of the Sir John Cass Foundation, the largest educational charity in the City, and was a governor of three local schools one of which he chaired. He was a member of the Court of Sion College and was President until May 2010. He is a trustee of both USPG Anglicans in World Mission and the Mission to Seafarers.
Chris is married to Helen, a local GP, and they have 2 young daughters. In his spare time Chris enjoys running and is also a keen traveller, especially to places far away from the tourist trails.
M H Crosby MA
Michael Crosby was Headmaster of Ashville College in Harrogate from 1987-2003.
Formerly he taught at Loughborough Grammar School (1967-1970 and 1972-1975). He also taught at King’s College, Pouto, Uganda (1970-1972) and Stamford School (1975-1987).
He was educated at Kingswood School, Bath and Magdalene College, Cambridge, where he read History and Nottingham University (PGCE).
He has been a Governor at Birkdale since 1999 and currently also serves on the Governing Bodies of Giggleswick School and Barnard Castle School. He is also Education Advisor to the board of Management for Methodist Schools.
He is a JP, sitting on the Harrogate Bench and a member of the Independent Monitoring Board at Wetherby Young Offenders Institute.
Mr A McKenzie Smith LLB
Educated at Ampleforth College and with a Law degree from London University, Andrew is a solicitor in Sheffield specialising in commercial law. His particular expertise is in resolving disputes, principally in the property and construction sectors.
Andrew became a Governor in 2010 and is married, with a son in the Prep School and two daughters.
His hobbies include golf and skiing.
Mr J E Oliver RICS
James, a former pupil of the School, is a Chartered Quantity Surveyor and MD of a construction company with 24 years in the industry and experience in a wide variety of project types. James was appointed a governor in 2009 and is a member of the Development Committee of the Board of Governors. He is married to Maria (a teacher) and they have three boys; Sam and Ben are both current pupils of the School and Leo will be joining in 2011. James’s hobbies are golf, skiing and supporting Sheffield United with his eldest son.
Mrs A M Rees BEd MA FRSA
Angela Rees holds a senior academic post at Sheffield Hallam University. Her early career as a teacher led her into teacher education in which she has held senior leadership, management and external examining roles. Leadership and management consultancy have provided opportunities to work in Pakistan and South Africa. Her experience and expertise in collaborative provision UK and Overseas involve her in significant cross university activity. She became a governor at Birkdale School over 20 years ago, and her son was educated there. Angela is an active member of Sheffield Cathedral and sits on the Cathedral Community Council. Her hobbies include travel, walking, theatre and entertaining.
Dr R C Richardson BSc PhD
I have been a governor at Birkdale since 2007, serve on the Development Committee and act as the governor for Health and Safety matters. I previously served for several years as a governor at Ecclesall C of E Junior School.
I was educated at Harrow Weald Grammar School and gained my degrees in metallurgy at the University of Birmingham. I have always worked in the steel industry both in South Wales and Sheffield and specifically of late at Sheffield Forgemasters, where I have been both Technical and Operations Director of the steel foundry.
Both my son Oliver and daughter Charlotte are former pupils of Birkdale. My daughter was one of the first girls to enter the 6th form and I at the time was a founder member of FOBS.
I am a committed Christian and was a Church Warden at All Saints, Ecclesall. My other interests involve around most sports and actively play golf badly and still cling to memories of being British Universities and Welsh 400 metre hurdles champion and representing Wales in the British Commonwealth Games.
Mrs M C Townsend BSc BDS MA
My family originate from Sri Lanka but I was born in the USA and spent some of my childhood in Sarawak and Malaysia before coming to boarding school in the UK to do my O levels. I came to the University of Sheffield in 1975 to do a BSc in Chemistry and Physiology. On completion of this course I went on to study dentistry and qualified in 1982.
I am married to Phil, an Anglican vicar in Crookes, and we have 3 sons aged 21, 19 and 16 years old. My eldest and youngest sons both started in Pre-Prep at Birkdale and have continued up through the school. My youngest son is currently in the 6th Form. My second son had Down Syndrome and attends Talbot Special School.
I am currently a Clinical Director, managing the Community Dental Service based in Rotherham. As a clinician I mainly provide dental care for children and adults with special needs.
I have been a governor at Birkdale for 6 years.
Mr J A Viner MA MBA DipM MCIM
Sheffield born and bred, James has a Maths degree from Cambridge supplemented with an MBA from Cranfield and professional Marketing qualifications. With 20 years experience in Marketing and Senior management roles with Mars, Asda and Capital One, James currently owns and runs a holiday cottage business in the Peak District. A governor since 2003, James provides particular expertise in Marketing and Strategy. Very happily married to Louise with 2 boys in the Senior School. A committed Christian, Trustee of Christ Church Central and coach at Sheffield Rugby Club. Interests include skiing, reading and photography.
Mrs K M Walker MA
Kathryn Walker was educated at Eastbourne High School followed by Newnham College Cambridge where she read Natural Sciences. After her degree she moved to London where she worked in IT for a Lloyds Insurance broker in the City of London.
She is married to Ian and they moved to Sheffield in 1992. They have four children; their eldest daughter is at university in Durham, their second daughter is at Oxford having attended the 6th form at Birkdale and their two boys are currently in the Senior School. They are all members of All Saints Ecclesall Church.
