Malvern St James Girls’ School has announced the appointment of Dr Gareth Lloyd as its new head, taking up the post in January 2024.
He comes from Stoke College in Suffolk and succeeds Olivera Raraty, who retires at Christmas having been head since September 2016.
Dr Lloyd will be the first male head in the history of Malvern St James, which was formed from the merger of Malvern Girls’ College and St James’s School.
The school is one of the leading all-girls schools in the UK, with an international reputation for pioneering female education since its founding in the 1800s.
Dr Lloyd grew up in Bridgend, South Wales. He was educated at the universities of Exeter, Cambridge, London, Reading, Sheffield and Trinity Laban, in a range of academic disciplines including music, modern foreign languages, school management and philosophy.
MSJ will be Dr Lloyd’s fifth headship in schools in England, Wales and China.
Dr Lloyd is a passionate musician, playing piano and violin, singing and composing. His doctoral submission Requiem for the Fallen of 9/11 is due to be premiered in New York on the 25th anniversary of the Twin Towers tragedy.
He is also a passionate sportsman, having played numerous sports at a high level, including national representation in ultra-marathons, notching up 150 competitive marathon and ultra-marathon runs.
Dr Lloyd said: “From my very first discussion about the possibility of leading Malvern St James, to the final interview and meeting governors, staff and especially the girls, I cannot begin to describe how excited I am to be joining the school.
“It is both an immense privilege and great responsibility to assume this headship, not least as the first male head in the school’s history. I am committed to a new era of growth, building on MSJ’s impressive heritage as one of the UK’s leading girls’ schools and its reputation for academic breadth and rigour, enrichment, and pastoral care.”
Described by Muddy Stilettos as “charming, impressive, approachable and inspiring – just what you need in a head”, Dr Lloyd is pleased to be returning closer to his roots and his family in his new home in Malvern. He will be joined by his partner, Kieren Andrews, and their two dogs.
MSJ’s chair of governors, Gemma Bruce, said: “We are very excited about Dr Lloyd’s appointment. His experience gained over a lifelong career in education, his enthusiasm, focus and philosophy on education will make him a superb leader of our school, giving clarity and focus to our strategic direction over the next decade and beyond.”