Governors as at 3rd July 2026
Master, Mr Charlie Birks (Grants), Mr Simon McConnell (Commercial & Residential Property), Mr Laurence King (Almshouse Property), Mrs Angharad Saunders (Residents-Interim), Mr Steve Workman (Park, Gardens and Roads), and Mrs Sarah Hardwick (Policies), Mr Simon Hills (Finance).
Revd Dr Jennifer Brown, Mayor Cllr. Andrew Skinner, Cllr. Gabby Barody, Cllr. Penny Clover, Cllr Elio Astone.
Mr Simon McConnell
Simon was born in Shropshire, but moved to Abingdon at the age of 10 to attend Abingdon School, so feels his roots are really in the town. On leaving school, Simon joined a local firm of Estate Agents and Surveyors, working there for 10 years before leaving to set up Thomas Merrifield in Abingdon, he is now with Carter Jonas. Simon’s skills in this area serve him well in his role as Governor in Charge of Property. He lives close to Albert Park with his wife and can often be seen in the park with his dog. He has two adult children. In his spare time, Simon is a keen cyclist and his other interests include motor racing, travel, food and wine, architecture and buildings.
Mr Laurence King
Laurence was born in Surrey and moved to Abingdon with his wife Barbara in 1981.
Laurence’s career was spent working for some of the country’s major retailers; Debenhams, The Burton Group, The Arcadia Group, BHS and The Kingfisher Group. Initially as a Company Secretary and then moving through audit, finance and risk management, then in 2002 he became a director of B&Q. Before retiring from corporate life he spent time in France working for B&Q’s sister company Castorama. Then followed eight successful years as a consultant working for the Oris Group of companies based at Harwell and was also a non-executive director of a Manchester based facilities management company. Laurence’s experience within his various career roles and local interests will enable him to contribute his time as a Governor to the principal aims of Christ’s Hospital.
Laurence is a Trustee of The Abingdon Bridge a local charity which supports young people in challenging circumstances.
He is a member of St Michael’s and All Angels Church in Albert Park, previously a Churchwarden and currently a member of the choir.
A keen golfer. A theatre goer who also enjoys most forms of music, but particularly traditional English Folk and acoustic-roots music.
Laurence served as Master from January 2021 to December 2023 and as the Governor in Charge of Almshouse Property since August 2021.
Mrs Angharad Saunders
Angharad is a human geographer by training, which is someone with an interest in the relationship between people and place: what makes places special, why do we live where we do, how do we interact, knowingly and unknowingly, with the world around us and how can we make places thrive and flourish? This is why she was keen to be involved with Christ’s Hospital. She feels that it is a special place, integral to Abingdon’s past, present and future, and is excited to be involved in its evolution going forward.
Since moving to Abingdon in 2017, and leaving her academic career behind, Angharad has worked as a freelance researcher for a number of charities and cultural organisations. She has explored how they can address social need more effectively, engage wider communities and navigate organisational change, all of which shape her work as a Governor for Christ’s Hospital. With a young family, she is involved in several toddler groups, school groups and can be regularly spotted splashing her way through muddy puddles in Albert Park in order that she keeps up with her small charges.
Mr Steve Workman
Steve has lived in Abingdon for 30 years and is an experienced non-executive director/trustee. He is currently Chair of the Fundraising and Communications Committee at the Mental Health Foundation and a trustee of the environmental charity Trees for Cities. He previously sat on the Board of Soha, the Didcot based social housing provider, and was Chair of the Audit Committee for seven years. Providing people with good quality, affordable housing and providing communities with green open spaces for leisure are amongst the factors that attracted Steve to Christ’s Hospital.
His passion is transforming businesses to be sustainable and responsible, both socially and environmentally. Steve previously set up and led the Sustainability and Corporate Responsibility teams in major energy and facilities management businesses. He is now a consultant and academic focusing on sustainability, community and stakeholder engagement.
Steve’s first degree is in Geography and he still sees the world through a geographer’s lens. He has an MBA and is currently writing up his PhD in Sustainability and Responsible Business Reporting at Oxford Brookes Business School. His interests include hiking, rugby, the theatre and folk music.
Steve took over as Park, Gardens and Roads Governor in 2023.
Mrs Sarah Hardwick
Sarah has lived in Abingdon since she was 10 years old and is lawyer who is currently working as a Business Manager to a Legal Director for a large telecommunications company.
Having attended school and been brought up in the area, Sarah knows and understands the local community and is keen to put her skills and network to use in her governor role.
Sarah has two young children, who are schooled locally, and is involved in the parents and teacher association at their school. When she has time Sarah enjoys trips to the theatre, walking the family dog around Albert Park, trips to the gym and socialising with friends and family.
Mr Simon Hills
Simon became Finance Governor in July 2026. He grew up in Abingdon and after attending Abingdon School studied at Imperial College and London Business School.
He enjoyed a career in the City, initially as a project finance banker and then later working on a trading desk. Most recently, he focused on risk and governance. Since 2017 and until his recent retirement, he was the Director of UK Finance, the leading trade association for banks and other financial services firms.
He is a former court member of the Worshipful Company of International Bankers, Treasurer and Church Warden of a major London church and recently was the lay chair of the Abingdon Town Council Neighbourhood Plan steering group.
Simon learned to fly at RAF Abingdon and still has a private pilot’s licence more than 50 years later. He splits his time between London and Abingdon and as well as flying, he enjoys cooking, cocktail making and long-distance walking. He is also looking forward to creating a garden for his newly renovated Abingdon home.
Ex Officio Governors & Councillors
Revd Dr Jennifer Brown
Mayor Cllr. Andrew Skinner
Cllr. Gabby Barody
Cllr. Penny Clover
Cllr. Elio Astone