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Our Governors
Supporting the School with experience, insight, and a shared commitment to every child.
Prestfelde’s Board of Governors brings together a wealth of experience across education, business, finance, law, safeguarding and school leadership.
Working closely with the Headmaster and Senior Leadership Team, our Governors provide strategic oversight and support the long-term development of the school.
Together, they help ensure that Prestfelde remains true to its values while continuing to provide an outstanding education and a happy nurturing environment for every child.
Our Governors
Our Governors bring a range of skills and perspectives to support the life and future of Prestfelde.
Rex Sartain
Safeguarding Lead Governor
Rex left the British Army in 2013 as a Lieutenant Colonel in the Rifles, bringing extensive experience in HR, estates, training, compliance and operations. He subsequently held senior roles with HSBC in Business Support and Change Delivery before completing the Business Management Course at Manchester Business School.
He went on to work as a bursar in independent schools and developed a consultancy supporting schools with budgets, people and estates. Rex now provides advice and guidance to independent schools and is also a Governor of Shrewsbury Colleges Group.
John Sharman
Governor
John attended Prestfelde before going on to Shrewsbury School, later studying for a Bachelor of Commerce at the University of Melbourne. He returned to the UK to begin his career with PwC before moving into retail and financial services.
John is an experienced business leader and transformation specialist, with expertise spanning mergers and acquisitions, start-ups, turnarounds, growth and strategic change. He is currently Group Mergers and Acquisitions Officer for a leading UK law firm.
John and his family relocated to Shropshire in 2013, and he has been an active Prestfelde parent ever since. He was appointed as a Governor in 2022 and chairs the Marketing, Communication and Fundraising Committee. He is passionate about supporting the school and its community.
Leo Winkley
Governor
Leo was born into a teaching family and has spent his career in education. After studying Theology at the University of Oxford, he began teaching at Ardingly College before moving to The Cheltenham Ladies’ College and then becoming Deputy Head of Bedales School, with responsibility for boarding and pastoral care.
Leo subsequently spent eight years as Headmaster of St Peter’s School, York, before becoming the 28th Headmaster of Shrewsbury School in 2018. A passionate advocate for boarding and community engagement, he previously served as Chairman of the Boarding Schools’ Association and has extensive experience in education, pastoral care and school leadership.
Leo holds a Master’s in Education and a Postgraduate Certificate in Business Administration. He is also a founding Trustee of the School Partnerships Alliance and Chair of Trustees of The Shewsy.
David Tyack
Governor
David studied law at Christ Church, Oxford University. After graduating in 1992 he spent a year in rural Japan teaching in secondary schools. He has practised as a barrister since 1994. He specialises in clinical negligence and serious personal injury cases. David’s practice is nationwide. He is based at No 5 Chambers with branches in Birmingham London Bristol and Leicester. In March 2021, he was appointed Queen’s Counsel.
He is married to Yuko and lives in Shrewsbury. They have two children, Dylan and Yasmin, both of whom went to Prestfelde. Dylan is now at Shrewsbury School and Yasmin is at Moreton Hall. In his spare time David tries to keep fit and enjoys running.
Paul Wood
Governor
After attending Birchfield and Shrewsbury School, he studied Business Studies at the University of the West of England, graduating in 2002. He began his career with Bentley Jennison before moving to Folkes Worton, where he was proud to receive the Midlands Trainee and Young Chartered Accountant of the Year awards.
In 2008, he became a partner at Stanton Ralph Chartered Accountants in Bridgnorth at the age of 29. Since then, he has helped grow the firm from eight to 35 employees, expand its offices and establish an ICAEW-accredited training programme, with nine trainees currently on board. He advises a diverse range of clients, from small businesses to companies with turnovers exceeding £10 million, with expertise in tax planning, business growth and financial strategy.
Outside work, he is Treasurer of the Sabrina Committee, leading crews to the Henley Royal Regatta, and a founding member of the Salopian Drivers Club. He enjoys spending time with his family, classic cars and managing his home, garden and menagerie of pets.
