EAC Board Members

Paul attended Alleyn's from 1972 to 1979. He studied English at the University of Wales, Lampeter, and, later on, was a postgraduate student of Business Sustainability Management at Cambridge University's Institute of Sustainability Leadership.

Today, Paul runs an innovative business consultancy, working in the retail and hospitality sectors. He is a non-executive director of African Cocoa Marketplace, mentors young food and beverage brands and chairs Abbeyfield Dulwich (a retirement / sheltered home). Previously Paul has worked with household name companies including Sainsbury's, Disney, Waitrose, Costa and BP.

Paul also spends as much time as possible playing and watching sports, eating great food and doing DIY and gardening. He writes a regular 'From the Chair' column for the EAC Magazine and also wrote an article on sustainability for the Summer 2023 edition. 

Read Paul's article: An Enthusiast for Sustainability

John's involvement with the EAC extends back over 40 years.  He has undertaken virtually every role that it is possible to do in connection with the club, including Commercial Manager, Treasurer, Chair for eight years - and he was also the President in 2001. 

Every now and then John makes the odd attempt to retire from his duties but is simply not allowed to! Retired (but not so that you would notice), John coordinates the printing of the biannual EAC magazine and enjoys meeting up with fellow alumni from his era.

Chris is the current EAC Treasurer and has held a myriad of positions through the years, including Vice President and President (in 2012). He was also a founder member of the EAC hockey club and held a number of positions within that organisation.

Chris left Alleyn's in 1971, read economics at university and is a Chartered Accountant. After a brief spell working in audit he moved into commerce and industry where he has held various director positions within both the private and public sectors across a broad range of industries.

Now retired, Chris continues to hold non-executive director positions in the private sector which he combines with being an active participant in a number of sporting activities and being Governor of an independent prep school, a role that he finds interesting and challenging. 

Chris's Alleyn's roots go back a long way. His grandfather, known to all as 'Inky' (Sidney Incledon) taught at Alleyn's for some 40 years and was Housemaster of Dutton's. Both Chris and his younger brother John were Dutton's House Captains. It seems the family maintains something of a tradition, as Chris's daughter Rachel was also House Captain. 

Below: Chris (left) at the 2023 Annual EAC Dinner with Alleyn's School Captain Raphael

As well as being an alumnus, David is also the father of an alumnus; Matt (Spurgeon's 2015). David served on the Alleyn's Parents' Association Executive Committee for more years than he cares to remember and is completely immersed in the Alleyn's community.

David was fortunate to be one of the first intake of Saddlers' Scholars in 1971 and during his time at the School, was both House Captain of Spurgeon's and a School Prefect. He captained the School's X-Country Team, also representing Southwark and London Schools, and relished cricket each Trinity Term. After studying Classics in the Upper School, David went on to Hatfield College, Durham, where he was awarded his degree in the same subject. 

He is an EAC Vice-President, as well as a former EAC President, Chairman and Vice Chairman. His time as Chairman coincided with the commencement of the Club's close integration with the School. He played cricket (best bowling 7-15) for the Club and was Sunday skipper and Fixture Secretary for a number of years, in addition to 7th XI football and occasional hockey.

Post-university, David joined NatWest's International Division (but never really saw more of the world than a brief spell in Bristol). He went on to complete 28 years as Head of Risk Administration at the private equity firm, Bridgepoint and as a Chartered Company Secretary. He is a member of the Chartered Secretaries' Livery Company.

Prior to retirement he was Bursar of West Lodge Preparatory School in Sidcup for 10 years and still goes back to teach Greek or Latin to Yr6, coach a bit of cricket or to drive the minibus.

David is a member of both MCC and Lancashire CCC and now enjoys watching as much cricket as possible over the summer, as well as visiting all the many amenities the South-East has to offer - and venturing further afield outside the school holidays.

Former Head of Geography until 2010, Housemaster of Spurgeon's 1982 - 2001 and Commanding Officer of the Combined Cadet Force for 16 years (1990 - 2006), Mike Jones remains a familiar and well-loved face at Alleyn's.

Always involved and interested in the Alleyn's community and one of its staunchest and most popular supporters, he is currently Joint Secretary of the Club and has been a board member since 2012. His three children attended the School and his youngest was one of the first mall group who attended right through primary years to Year 13, following the opening of the Junior School in 1992.

Mike is a keen cyclist and environmentalist, but he also loves his garden and is increasingly involved in politics since his retirement. He loves travelling and is particularly fond of South East Asia. He also loves craft ale!

Sue went to school in Norfolk, and over the years has achieved a CertEd, BA and an MA. She began the MA in Educational Leadership and Management when she was 50 and graduated at 52.

Sue initially came to Alleyn's as Assistant Mistress in charge of Girls' PE back in September 1978 and became one of our longest serving staff members, retiring in 2015.  She became Head of Girls' PE followed by Mistress in Charge of Girls in the Lower School.

In 1987 Sue became 'Lady Housemaster' (today this role is described as Head of House) and from 2001 she was Deputy Head of the Upper School, working alongside Andy Skinnard for the affectionately known 'Lane/Skinnard Era', and where she particularly enjoyed working with the prospective medics, vets and health care workers. 

On the sporting front, Sue took teams to regional and national finals in hockey. During her tenure as President of the EAC 2022-23, she focused on broadening the sporting and social opportunities of the Club, and encouraging more women and recent Leavers to be involved. Sue has also previously served as a member of the Alleyn Benevolent Fund Committee, and today continues to support the EAC and wider Alleyn's community in many ways.

Sue very much enjoys gardening and of course, watching a good deal of sport!

John Battle KC (Hon.) is Head of Legal and Compliance at ITN. An expert in Media law, John was made an honorary KC in December 2022 in recognition of his work with the media, Ministry of Justice and the senior judiciary, campaigning for the filming of UK court proceedings.

A long-serving EAC member, John's four children also attended Alleyn's. John played for the Alleyn Old Boys FC and is also a 200 Club member. In 2023, he gave the keynote talk at the Alleyn's Law Networking event held at the Law Society on Chancery Lane.

In 2022, John was named Employed Barrister of the Year in Commerce, Finance or Industry at the Bar Council Employed Bar Awards. He was also the Chair of the Media Lawyers Association (the industry body for in-house lawyers working in new companies) from 2012 to 2022. 

Below: John provides the keynote speech at the Alleyn's Law Networking Event in 2023.

Lisa was one of the early batch of girls to enter Alleyn's in the 1970s for the sixth form and is happy to say it was the best decision her parents ever made. Her greatest achievement, whilst at Alleyn's, was to be made the first female House Captain (albeit a joint position) and is proud to see her name on the Captains' Boards in the Great Hall.

Lisa went on to study law at Southampton University, practicing as a solicitor in the City for a while, before changing direction and becoming a manager of barristers' chambers, a position she has held in various chambers for nearly 30 years.

As well as holding the post of Management Board representative on the EAC committee, Lisa is Chair of the Social sub-committee. She is also a Trustee for the Alleyn's Benevolent Fund. 

Lisa's particular interest is to see more events running for female alumnae, and we are delighted that she is also helping to develop the School and EAC's plans to celebrate 50 years of co-education in 2025/26. If you would like to help with that, do let us know. 

During his time at Alleyn's, Saif was heavily involved in all things academic, musical, dramatic and co-curricular. A proud Tysonite and a devoted singer, he was a tenor in the Chamber Choir and a founding member of a barbershop quartet.

When not in the music school (singing or frantically practising for his flute grade exams), Saif could be found on the stage acting, compering shows or fiercely debating. One of his core passions at Alleyn's was the CCF - having joined the Royal Navy section in 2009, he was appointed Head of the Royal Navy and a Senior NCO in 2014.

Saif went on to read Geology (Earth Science) at the University of Edinburgh. He graduated in 2018 and began his career in the City working at Lloyds Banking Group in Leveraged Finance. He is now a Vice President at Japanese bank MUFG working within capital markets and leveraged finance across the Europe, Middle East and African regions.

Saif has joined the EAC as a executive member of the management board and Deputy Chair of the Social sub-committee driving forward the Club's social agenda.