Our Governors

Howell’s School, Llandaff, along with the other GDST schools, is administered by the Council of the Trust and our own School Governing Board is appointed by the Council.

Our Governors are actively involved in the daily life of the school, providing inspiration and positive challenges that help us grow. They are dedicated to fostering a nurturing and joyful environment where every girl can thrive. Discover more about the passionate individuals who champion Howell’s and help us create a vibrant, supportive community.

Meet the Board

Please click on each Governor to learn more about them

Mrs Sue Thomas

JPDL - Chair

Mrs Sue Thomas

JPDL - Chair

I was educated at Howell’s School and have maintained my links with the school through the Hywelian Guild and also as a parent. My daughter attended the Senior School and benefited greatly from her experience. I believe in the importance of education and in encouraging pupils to make the most of their opportunities so I am delighted to be a Governor of the school with which I have a longstanding association and which believes in helping students fulfil their all – round potential.

Mrs Chris Henry Breward

Dr Robert Knowles

I joined the English Department at Howell’s in 1998 when I relinquished my post as Head of Sixth Form at Kingston Grammar School in Surrey and previously an academic career in higher education in London. During my teaching career at Howell’s I held various positions of responsibility outside the classroom: as a member of the Senior Management Team I was the Senior Teacher responsible for the pastoral welfare of students, temporary Deputy Head and the Special Educational Needs’ Co-ordinator for both the Junior and Senior Schools. As a specialist English teacher my hope was –and still is – to inspire students of all ages to engage enthusiastically with literature; I consider myself fortunate to be still invited to deliver lectures and talks to Howell’s Scholars and to A level English Literature groups, and indeed to maintain my links with other independent schools and higher education establishments in the area. My post-doctoral research interest is focused on the inter-related disciplines of 19th and 20th century literature and art.

Miss Stephanie Lynch

Miss Cathryn McGahey

Ms Emma Leeke

Emma Leeke

Emma is a proud Hywelian along with both her son and daughter. A business graduate who completed the M&S graduate training programme before fulfilling a variety of roles within their London stores and head office before returning to Wales where she now heads up her family's business, Leekes Retail. Emma sits on a variety of national buying groups including Minerva, a leading group within the furniture industry where she acts as a board advisor, Fortis, the premier group for builders’ merchants, kitchen & bathroom retailers where she was the first female principal to join and CIH, an electrical buying group, as well as being a member of CBI Wales. She is also a Freeman of the Furniture Maker's Company, the livery guild and charity for the furniture industry. Membership of these organisations has enabled her to develop a strong understanding of the challenges and opportunities within the retail industry and in turn to influence direction. She supports several charities and has been on the Appeal Board for NSPCC Wales for 15 years, an Ambassador for Rhondda Netball, a charity which works to develop the aspirations of young girls growing up in the Rhondda Valleys through the medium of sport and is an active supporter of Cwtch Mawr, a community donations hub offering support for families facing poverty.

Mrs Janey Howell

Janey Howell, who is originally from Antigua, is a British businesswoman and public official. In March 2024, she was appointed as the High Sheriff of South Glamorgan, a ceremonial position representing the monarch in judicial matters within the county. During her tenure, she selected City Hospice, the only provider of home-based specialist palliative care in Cardiff, as her charity of the year.

Professionally, Janey serves as the Joint Managing Director of BCB International, a Cardiff-based company that manufactures life-saving equipment for global defence markets. Additionally, Janey is a Trustee of Bullies Out, the charity providing support and information for those affected by bullying behaviours; a Trustee of the Museum of Cardiff and the Project Director of Government House Antigua. She is also a proud mother to three young women who all attended Howell’s School.

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