About Us

Our Board of Trustees 

Chilton is governed by a Board of Trustees. 

In its governance role the Board is responsible for the ongoing financial viability of the School.  It develops and maintains a vision for the School and is responsible for the policies and strategies which will attain that vision.

The Board is responsible for the appointment of the Principal, to whom they delegate the management of the School.  Together in partnership, the Board and the Principal are responsible for the leadership of the School.

The Chilton Board is a skills-based Board, not a representative Board.  As and when vacancies arise, potential Trustees are nominated who possess the skills and experience required by the Board at that time.  Board members are appointed to serve three year terms and may be invited to serve a second three year term.  The maximum term of office is normally six years.

The work of the Board is supported by the following sub-committees: Grounds and Buildings, Finance, Development Fundraising, Human Resources and Strategic Projects.

Our current Board consists of: 

Chair

Michelle Luping LLB, BA

Secretary to the Board

Mrs Rosemary Humphrey BBS, CA

Deputy Chair
Tony McNeil

Board members      

Greg Adlam
Duncan Fraser B Eng (Hons), Dip Mgment
Judy Hardie BA, Dip Tchg, LTh
Michelle Luping LLB, BA
Sue Mills NZRN
Scott Thorne BCA, CA

Read on for a brief insight to the biographies of our Board members...

Michelle Luping
 LLB, BA


Board of Trustees Chair, Chair of the Development Fundraising Committee

The Strategic Partnership Manager with Contact Energy's ICT business unit, Michelle joined the Chilton Board in September 2008.  Appointed as Deputy Chair in 2010 she took on the role of Chair at the Board AGM in May 2011.  Michelle has had experience in the areas of Project Management, Programme Services Management, as well as Vendor Partnering and outsourcing relationship management, in her role at Contact Energy.  Formerly Legal Counsel and Assistant Company Secretary for the Westpac Banking Corporation, she has skills which span the corporate, finance and legal domains.

Married to Patrick Quirke and mother of two current Chilton girls, Michelle is a past Chilton scholar and former Head Girl herself.  She is also the immediate past President of the Old Girls' Association.  Michelle enjoys red wine, good books and spending time with her family.

Greg Adlam

Greg moved on from the world of banking two years ago to jointly establish a business focused on carbon and energy, in addition to continuing other consultancy work.  His electricity sector focus involves the development of the hedging market but also new generation projects including a wind farm in the South Taranaki District.  The carbon credits focus formed two years ago has now become CO2 New Zealand Partnership, of which Greg is CEO, which looks at developed forests under the NZ government carbon compliance scheme.

Previous executive roles include various high profile positions at ANZ, predominantly in the financial market area.  Most recently he managed sales teams and led the capital markets operation for ANZ Markets in New Zealand for five years.

An enthusiastic kayaker, runner and biker who challenges himself in various multi-disciplined events, he has also been involved in coaching, managing and refereeing basketball at Chilton for eight years.  Greg has a huge amount of energy for both participating and coaching his chosen passions. 

Duncan Fraser
 B Eng (Hons), Dip Mgment

Chair of the Grounds and Buildings Committee


Duncan is the Managing Director of Acme Engineering Limited in Petone and a Director of Ruapehu Alpine Lifts (RAL) the operators of the Whakapapa and Turoa ski areas on Mt Ruapehu. Previously a former Trustee and Chair of the Wellesley College Board of Trustees, he managed the first three phases of the school's building development programme during his seven years with the Finance, Property and Remuneration committees. 

Duncan is also a former Chairman and Executive member of HERA (Heavy Engineering Research Association of New Zealand) an industry backed organisation responsible for education, research and the promotion of steel within the wider New Zealand construction and manufacturing industries.

Currently living in Eastbourne Duncan has a daughter at Chilton with one son at Otago University and another at Wellesley College.  His interests include skiing, keeping fit and reading.

The Venerable Archdeacon Judith Hardie 
BA, Dip Tchg, LTh


Chair of the Human Resources Committee

Judy's early professional years were spent teaching at primary schools before she began working for the Church as a lay woman, then subsequently as an ordained Anglican priest.   In this capacity Judy served at St James Church in Lower Hutt before being made Archdeacon and Vicar of Avalon.  After almost thirteen years of ministry there, Judy was called to become Canon in Residence at Wellington Cathedral of St Paul.

Judy accepted a position on the Chilton Saint James Board of Trustees nine years ago and was appointed as Chairperson in 2001.  The years working for this school have been challenging and exciting as the Board has explored and nurtured young women and girls to the highest standards of all round education.   The future continues to be challenging and exciting and Judy is convinced the current Board will work with the Principal to help the school continue in the vanguard of quality education for girls.

Tony McNeil

Deputy Chair, Chair of Strategic Projects Committee

A 40-year veteran of the Australasian supermarket and liquor sectors, Tony retired from Foodstuffs (Wellington) Co-operative Society Limited in March 2010 after 12 years as Managing Director.  Foodstuffs’ successful brands include New World, Pak 'n Save and the iconic Four Square.

Tony is a member of the New Zealand Trade and Enterprise advisory board - Beachheads, which connects participating Kiwi companies to a network of advisors in selected international markets.  He is Chairman of Payments (NZ) Limited and is an independent director of NZX Listed property company NPT Limited and co-operative Ballance Agri-Nutrients Ltd.

Tony and Janet reside in Paremata and have one son attending Victoria University and two daughters at Chilton.

Sue Mills
 NZRN

A long time resident of the Hutt Valley, Sue has had a career as a Nurse.  After retiring Sue has subsequently worked as Office Manager in the family businesses.  She has extensive leadership experience within the Rotary Club and in a range of community based service organisations.  Sue's daughter Belinda attended Chilton, being a Senior Prefect in 1987.  Sue's two grandaughters are enrolled to attend Chilton in the future.

Scott Thorne BCA, CA

Chair of the Finance Committee

As Chief Financial Officer at NZ Bus, Scott is responsible for financial management, governance and risk management, IT and contribution to leadership and strategic direction of the business.  NZ Bus is the largest public transport operator in New Zealand, running over 1,000 buses, employing 2,000 staff and earning revenues in excess of $200 million.

Prior to NZ Bus, Scott worked in many other commercial enterprises in financial positions, starting his career with PwC in audit and advisory. 

Scott is also currently chairman of SwimZone Racing, the Hutt Valley’s largest competitive swimming club and one of the top 15 clubs in the country.  He is a keen sportsman, participating and coaching football and cricket for many years.

Married to Karen, family life for Scott has strong connections to Chilton, with one daughter in Year 10 and another who left two years ago for Victoria University.  Their son is also commencing study at Victoria this year.