The Governing Body is chaired by Mr Carey Leonard. Each member of the Governing Body plays an active role in school life. Many have past links to the school, or are parents of children who attend the school. The Governors meet with the staff and children regularly. 

The full Governing Body meets termly, in addition to Commercial, Education, Health & Safety and Welfare sub-committee meetings each term. The Governors offer guidance and support to the Headmaster, and the Senior Leadership Team who are responsible for the day-to-day management of the School.

Mr Carey Leonard (Chair of Governors)

An international banker with over 45 years experience, most of it living and working in Asia, Africa and the Middle East, Carey is an Independent Non-Executive Director of two banks in the City of London. A Governor since 2010, his connection with the school dates back to 2001, when one of his daughters joined Hillstone School, a predecessor school to The Downs Malvern, who then went on to Malvern College. Carey is Treasurer to the Council of Malvern College and has just been appointed Chairman of Abberley Hall School, which recently became a member of the Malvern College Family of Schools. Carey is also a Magistrate on the Worcestershire Bench, is a keen if inconsistent golfer, enjoys watching rugby, cricket and football and going to the theatre and travel.

Mr Keith Metcalfe

Keith is the Headmaster of Malvern College. Previous to this, he was the Deputy Headmaster at Harrow School, where he had also served as a Housemaster and Head of Geography. Keith is a governor of Abberley Hall School having also served as a governor at Caldicott prep school in Berkshire and at a new state academy in west London and is also an ISI Inspector. Originally from Herefordshire, Keith was educated at Monmouth School and Downing College Cambridge.

Dr Sarah Guy

Sarah Guy is a past fellow of Trinity College Cambridge and had over 20 years’ experience as a research scientist in academia and with RSRE/DERA/QinetiQ before taking a PGCE and teaching secondary Science/Chemistry in local independent schools. Her son is a former pupil at The Downs Malvern and she also has three grown-up daughters and one granddaughter. She is a youth leader at Great Malvern Priory and her other interests include music, the theatre and spending time with her family.

Mr Stuart King

After reading law at University College London, Stuart has been a commercial property lawyer for nearly 40 years, initially in the City of London and for many years as a partner and now a consultant in two large Bristol law firms. His son and two daughters were educated at Malvern College, his youngest daughter also at The Downs Malvern. Stuart joined the Governing Body in 2012 and is the school’s Sustainability Governor. He has also been a member of the Malvern College Council since March 2022.

Mrs Pennie Francis

Pennie Francis joined the Governing Body in 2020 and is the school’s Safeguarding Governor and Investment Fund Governor. Pennie was initially educated in British Columbia, Canada and completed her education in Oundle, Northamptonshire. This was a prelude to a career in Private Client Financial Management; initially at Lloyds Bank as a Senior Consultant then J. Rothschild Assurance as a Wealth Manager.

For the last 15 years, Pennie has been a Senior Partner at Stirling House Financial Services Ltd specialising in investments and pensions, as well as sitting on the Investment Committee of Mainstone Asset Management Ltd.

Pennie has developed a role within Stirling House Financial Services Ltd of Partner and Client Liaison. It is a broad spectrum position but principally requires strong leadership and communication skills.

Pennie has three children, all of whom attended The Downs Malvern since the merger in 2008 (where she had the privilege of actively supporting the school and latterly chairing the Friends Committee). All three children now attend Malvern College where each play very active roles.

Simon Attwood

Simon was educated at Colston's School and Clifton College in Bristol, before university in London at the Roehampton Institute. He began his teaching career at Elstree School in West Berkshire as Boarding Housemaster and Head of English, before moving to Windlesham House School in West Sussex as Deputy Headmaster. He is currently Deputy Headmaster at Elstree School.

Simon is married with two grown-up children. His interests are his family, rugby, cricket, music, reading and camping, and he remains an enthusiastic sailor. Simon joined The Downs Malvern Board in October 2022 and is the school’s Boarding Governor.