Our Team | Society of Heads

Clive Rickart – CEO

After graduating from Manchester University, Clive started his career in 1983 at Stamford School, teaching History and Politics. He was appointed as a Boarding House Master and from there moved to...

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Clive Rickart – CEO

After graduating from Manchester University, Clive started his career in 1983 at Stamford School, teaching History and Politics. He was appointed as a Boarding House Master and from there moved to Oswestry Junior School as Head. In 1996 he became Head of Lincoln Minster Prep School before being appointed Principal of Lincoln Minster School in 1999. During his time at Lincoln, he also took on an Executive Principal role, engaging with four prep schools and leading the merger to create Hull Collegiate School. He became the General Secretary of The Society of Heads in September 2015, and is a Governor of two schools. Throughout his career in schools, which included twenty-four years as a Head, he was passionate about enabling young people to succeed. He is now dedicated to supporting, encouraging and inspiring school leaders.

Jill Howard – Director of Education Services

Jill is originally from Lancashire, but was brought up in Bahrain. After moving back to the UK, she completed her education in Norwich, and started her first job at the age of...

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Jill Howard – Director of Education Services

Jill is originally from Lancashire, but was brought up in Bahrain. After moving back to the UK, she completed her education in Norwich, and started her first job at the age of 19. Since then, Jill has enjoyed a varied background, and has travelled extensively working in both customer facing and marketing roles. In 2003, Jill and her husband, moved to Dubai, and it was there that Jill gained her CELTA and Advanced Diploma in Teaching, Training and Assessing. She went on to teach English to children and adults in a variety of educational settings, and following on from that, became a corporate trainer, working with many Middle Eastern companies, developing their teams. Jill has developed a passion for education and training and after relocating back to the UK in December 2014, became involved in the independent education sector, and joined the Society of Heads in January 2017.

Maria Wightman - Professional Development & Operations Executive

After graduating from Sheffield, Maria started her career in teaching in the city of Birmingham for six years. A move back to Leicestershire opened new opportunities and she continued her career as a...

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Jean Walklett - Finance Manager

Jean has performed the role of finance manager for many years supporting organizations in the education sector. Being a mother with three grown up daughters, Jean has had direct experience...

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Jean Walklett - Finance Manager

Jean has performed the role of finance manager for many years supporting organizations in the education sector. Being a mother with three grown up daughters, Jean has had direct experience of a variety of different educational establishments and has welcomed the opportunity to provide support and assistance to the education sector. Jean has also been involved in teaching, running evening classes on Sage computerized accounting. As well as those activities Jean has helped many small businesses in all sectors; setting up their finance systems, training their staff on Sage, and providing budgeting and financial reporting services. Jean has a keen interest in health and fitness and particularly enjoys open water swimming and yoga.

Nicola Martin - Business Support Executive

Nicola was born in the UK but was brought up in South Africa where her parents were transferred for work. Then due to her husband’s work relocation in 2009, they and their two sons moved back...

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Nicola Martin - Business Support Executive

Nicola was born in the UK but was brought up in South Africa where her parents were transferred for work. Then due to her husband’s work relocation in 2009, they and their two sons moved back to the UK. In South Africa Nicola worked in various training and marketing roles but when she returned to the UK, decided to complete her BSC (Hons) Psychology degree as she had a passion to work with people in a pastoral role.

Nicola entered the education sector, working in secondary schools, both in the state and the independent sector. She worked closely with SENCO students assisting them on the pastoral side and the academic side. She also was the lead in delivering two different courses to various groups of students who she identified were struggling with anxiety and depression, and others with confidence issues and learning how to fit in. Depending on the students, some courses were done in group sessions and some on an individual basis. In the independent sector Nicola worked across 15 boarding houses in a pastoral role.

Nicola wanted to stay in the education sector and therefore started her new venture with The Society of Heads.

Liz Gill - Communications Executive

The University years were an enjoyable chapter in Liz’s life where she evolved as a person and excelled in her studies, gaining a First-Class Degree in Media Professional Studies with...

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Liz Gill - Communications Executive

The University years were an enjoyable chapter in Liz’s life where she evolved as a person and excelled in her studies, gaining a First-Class Degree in Media Professional Studies with Television. The Travel Industry is where Liz started her career and over 9 years she thrived in various roles. She has worked the high-pressure 24hour Emergency Holiday Helpline and in the Contact Centre as a Specialist Sales Consultant. She then moved to Aviation managing a portfolio of destinations and most recently was a Communications Executive, blending her passion for people and the written word. Liz has always thought of Education as the passport to success and since becoming a parent, she appreciates all the work that goes into nurturing a child and preparing them for the future. She looks forward to supporting the member schools at The Society of Heads and promoting their many achievements.

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