Meet the Committee

Nigel Barton

King’s School teacher: 

1980-2022

Passions: TBC

Further Education      

• Nottingham University  

  BA Hons English Literature

• PGCE

• MEd - Student Counselling 

Working Career 

• English & History Teacher at       
  Denstone College 1978-80

• Head of Boarding & School    
   House 1985-95

• Assistant Head of Lower

   School 1990-1996

• Assistant Head of Sixth &    
  Head of Yr 13 1997-2009

• Head of Sixth 2010 -2022

Extra Curricular 

• Grantham Hockey Club

• Leicestershire Hockey

• Volunteer with Dementia UK

 & Independent Advisory Panel

Richard Bijster

Andy Cousins

Tom Deller

King's School:

King’s School teacher: 2010-2016 and 2023 to present

Passion: English and friendship

Further Education

• University of Durham - BA English Literature
• University of Exeter - MEd Professional Studies
• University of Exeter - PGCE

Working Career

Extra Curricular

Andrew Jones - Honorary  Treasurer

Gavin  Purvis

King’s School: 2000-2007

Passion: Playing rugby

Further Education

• Newcastle University 2008-2011 Environmental Science.
• CIPD Level 5 HR Management (2015-2016)
• CIPD Advanced Diploma in Strategic People Management Level 7 (Currently studying).

Working Career

• Head of HR – FBS Hörmann (2020-present)
• UK Group HR Manager – GL Events UK (2019-2020)
• Group HR Manager - Mid UK Recycling (2014-2019)

Extra Curricular

• 1st XV Captain - Kesteven RFC 2016-2021
• Secretary – Kesteven RFC 2020 – Present
• Committee Member – The King’s School Grantham Alumni Committee 2024 - Present

Robert Sheardown

King’s School: 2000 – 2007

Passion: I feel proud to say that I attended The King’s School Grantham, and I want all future pupils to enjoy that same pride as me. I enjoy seeing the school continue to offer top-class education in my home town, and enjoying the academic successes garnered from that high level of education. I also enjoy playing and coaching rugby, and I’m very interested to see the school continue in creating successful sports teams competing at the highest levels.

Further Education

• Northumbria University – 2007-2011 – 1^st Class Honours Degree in Mechanical Engineering

Working Career

• Technical Director – Reelstock Ltd (June 2020 – Present)
• Design Engineer – Great Plains UK (June 2011 – June 2020)
• Project Engineer – Rosh Engineering Ltd (June 2008 – June 2009)

Extra Curricular:

• 1st XV Captain – Kesteven RFC (2021 – 2024)
• Board Member – Kesteven RFC (2021 – Present)
• Committee Member – The King’s School Grantham Alumni Committee (2022 – Present)

Tony Shearer - Honorary  Secretary

Ben Whinney

King’s School: 2012-2019

Passion: Recently graduated from King’s, Ben is passionate about helping King’s students develop their personal profiles by encouraging them to broaden their horizons and explore their professional ambitions and extracurricular interests. His goal is to support skill development, enhance technical competencies, and give students a head start in higher education and job applications.

Further Education

• Newcastle Business School at Northumbria University, where he completed an undergraduate degree in Finance and Investment Management BA (Hons), alongside his role as Club President of Northumbria Men’s Rugby Union.
• Qualified at level 3 in Risk in Financial Services and Securities.

Working Career

• Currently an Analyst, Investor Relations at Pantheon Ventures, private equity fund, October 2024 –Present).
• Former Associate, Client Services at AlphaSights, knowledge partner to the world’s top investee and Investment funds, consultancies, and Fortune 500s from September 2023 – September 2024.

Extra Curricular

• Member of The King’s School, Grantham Alumni Committee 2022 to Present.
• Associate member of The Chartered Institute for Securities and Investment (The CISI)

Andrew Roberts

King’s School: 1969-1976

Passion: To help promote the school as a high-performing educational establishment with good ties to industry and a strong alumni network.

Further Education:

• University of Salford, B.Sc. Environmental Chemical Engineering (First Class Hons.) 1979
• Open University, Master of Business Administration. 1992

Working Career:

• Andrew joined British Nuclear Fuels from university, working in technical and operational roles from 1979 – 1993 when he transferred to BNFL Inc. based in Denver, USA.   While remaining in the nuclear field, he transitioned to plant decontamination and decommissioning planning and operations at a number of US nuclear facilities. 
• In 2006, Andrew returned to a UK base though spent his remaining career largely overseas engaged in nuclear facility construction, operations and decommissioning in Bulgaria, Armenia, Lithuania, Slovakia, Canada and Romania.
• He retired in late 2023.

Tom Webster

King’s School: 2003-2007

Passion: House building and development, coaching rugby, leadership and team development.

My roles within business and sport focus on creating and leading high performance teams. My passion for leadership was developed during my fond years at the school  and also aligns with the school’s values of courage, friendship and honour. I am proud to continue to play my part in advancing the great work of the entire school community.

Further Education:

• University of Manchester 2007-2010 BSc Business Management with marketing.

Working Career

• Head of Marketing – Berg Legal (2010-2012)
• Founder and Director -Evepia Ltd  (2012-2016)
• Director- Webster Homes (2016-Present)

Extra Curricular

• 1st XV Captain - Kesteven RFC 2013-2016
• Director of Rugby- Kesteven RFC 2023 - Present
• Board Member- Kesteven RFC 2023 - Present
• Committee Member – The King’s School Grantham Alumni Committee 2024 – Present
• University of Manchester Athletic Union XXI club member.

Nathan Whales

King’s School teacher: 2003-present

Passion: Students, Nottingham Forest and 

Further Education:

• De Montford University (Bedford) - BEd Physical Education and English

Working Career

Extra Curricular

Mark Whittinghton - President