The Governing Council
Jerry Wooding OBE BSc CEng FRAeS Chairman of Governors
Educated at Luton Grammar School, Mr Wooding joined the British Aircraft Corporation in 1964 as a student apprentice and, after gaining a degree in Aeronautical Engineering at City University, spent two years as a Flight Test Engineer at the BAE factory in Warton. Following a lengthy career in the British Aerospace Industry Mr Wooding was awarded the OBE for 'Aviation Services in the Export Market' in the Queen's 1999 Birthday Honours list. In November 2000 Mr Wooding left BAE Systems to form his own business consultancy company with operations in both the United Kingdom and the Middle East.
Mr Wooding is married with two children who were both educated at Arnold School. Following his degree at the London School of Economics, Simon now works in the City of London and Kate has qualified in Medicine at the Imperial College of Science and Medicine in London.
James Armfield CBE DL former High Sheriff of Lancashire Vice Chairman of Governors
Mr Armfield is a former captain of the England Football Team and is now technical consultant to the Football Association. He was awarded the OBE in June 2002 and the CBE in 2009; made Deputy Lieutenant for Lancashire in December 2004 he was High Sheriff of Lancashire in 2005. An Old Arnoldian, and member of the Arnold Governing Council for over 25 years, he is an Honorary Fellow of the University of Central Lancashire and a holder of the Football Association and European Coaching Licence. In addition, Mr Armfield is a non-executive Director of Blackpool, Fylde & Wyre Community Health Trust; Vice President of Lancashire Outward Bound, President of Age Concern and a Member of the Blackburn Cathedral Council. Mr Armfield is a well known BBC radio commentator on sport. Married with two grown up children (both Arnoldians) and grandchildren currently attending Arnold Senior School, his interests include all sport, music, the church organ and gardening.
Michael Brennand Deputy Chairman of Governors
Michael Brennand was born in Blackpool and educated at Arnold. He is a director of several major packaging companies. He is married to Anna and their son Oliver left Arnold in 2004. Mr Brennand's interests include rugby, golf and other sporting activities.
David Aird LLB
Mr Aird was educated at Arnold between 1971 and 1978. He went on to read Law at Liverpool University and completed his Solicitor’s Final examinations at the College of Law, Chester. On his return to the Fylde coast, he took up a position with Blackhurst's Solicitors qualifying as a Solicitor in 1985. He became a partner in 1988 and was appointed Managing Partner in 1999. He is the Honorary Solicitor to Blackpool and Thornton-Cleveleys Cricket Clubs and a number of other local clubs and organisations. He is married with one son who currently attends Arnold School. His hobbies include scuba diving, skiing, walking, an occasional round of golf and supporting Blackpool Football Club.
Alistair Baines BA BArch RIBA
Mr Baines was born in Blackpool and educated at Arnold School and then Manchester University, where he read architecture. He is married with two children, one of whom currently attends Arnold. His interests include golf and walking.
Martin C Brook BA FCA ATII
Mr Brook was a pupil at Arnold from 1967 to 1974. He graduated from Liverpool University in 1977 and qualified as a Chartered Accountant with KPMG in 1980. For many years he was a partner in a local firm of chartered accountants before taking up his current position as Joint Managing Director of Smith Group UK Ltd in 1997.
Mr Brook has been married to Janet for 26 years and they have three children who all attended the school. Previously, Mr Brook has been a governor of Blackpool Sixth Form College. He is a general sports enthusiast and his hobbies include tennis and walking.
Mrs Sarah Carr OBE
Mrs Carr attended St. Mary's High School and Lark Hill Convent, Preston. She qualified as a member of the Institute of Personnel Management in 1985 whilst working for her family business. Between 1989-2002, with her husband, she established and developed a large chain of children's day care centres (Kindercare) and Ashbridge Independent School, Preston.
In a voluntary capacity Mrs Carr works as Chairman of the board of trustees for the National Day Nurseries Association and as an advocate for Wyre and Fylde Advocacy Service. She is married to Stuart and they have four daughters, all of whom are Arnoldians. Mrs Carr was awarded the OBE in 2006 for her long service and dedication to children and families.
Mrs Gillian Connolly BSc MA
Mrs Connolly was educated in Sheffield and then at Birmingham University where she read Pure Mathematics. Following a number of years teaching at secondary level she took up a commission in the Women's Royal Army Corps. Whilst serving in the army she completed an MA in Management, and then retired after marrying Christopher, a serving Royal Navy Officer and Old Arnoldian. Their son Alexander attends Arnold and Gillian's interests include gardening, hill walking and renovating the family home.
Peter Maguire
Educated at Preston Catholic College, Mr Maguire qualified as a Chartered Accountant in 1978 and for over 25 years has been a director and part owner of Inenco, a leading firm of energy consultants based in St Annes. He is married to Alison, who is a teacher, and they have one son, who is an Arnoldian. Mr Maguire is a sports enthusiast and regularly plays tennis, golf and hockey.
Philip Owen ACIB
Mr Owen was educated at Arnold between 1970 and 1981. He serves as a member of the Executive Committee of the Old Arnoldians Association and in 1997 was elected President of the Association having been Treasurer for ten years. Mr Owen has worked for Barclays Bank for almost 25 years and is currently Senior Corporate Manager for the Fylde Coast. He is married with two children who both attend Arnold. His hobbies include swimming, walking, travel, the cinema and Blackpool North Round Table.
Mrs Ray Pigott OBE LLB
Mrs Pigott was educated at Albyn School for Girls, Aberdeen High School for Girls and the University of Aberdeen where she obtained a degree in Law. She qualified and worked as a solicitor in Scotland and upon her marriage moved to Lancashire. She became involved in the organisation of the Conservative Party at local, regional and national levels, including being Chairman of the North West Women and Chairman of the Fylde Conservative Association. Mrs Pigott has wide experience of business and is a director of a civil engineering and two property companies. She has been a non-executive Director in the NHS for over twenty years and is the Chairman of the Wyre Primary Care Trust. Her daughter, Caroline, was educated at Arnold School.
John Taylor LLB (Honorary Solicitor to Arnold Schools Ltd)
Mr Taylor was Head Boy of both the Senior and Junior Schools. He is now a local solicitor with Blackhurst's. He was President of the Old Arnoldian Association in 1996 and Honorary Secretary between 1987 and 1997. Mr Taylor has two children who both attend Arnold. He is the Honorary Solicitor to Blackpool Amateur Swimming Club, a member of Blackpool Waterloo Polo Team and a season ticket holder with Liverpool Football Club.
