The King's School in Gloucester has appointed six new governors to guide the strategy for the school in the years ahead.

The new governors all live in the county, and many are former pupils or parents. They have been appointed to strengthen support for the headmaster, Mr David Morton, and the school community.

The new chair of governors will be Mrs Debbie Innes-Turnill, the first female chair in the school's long history. She had her own successful first career in education as a teacher, deputy head and headteacher in local primary schools. Recently she has become a national expert in safeguarding, setting up her own consultancy.

Also joining the board of governors, and representing a wide variety of areas of expertise, are:

• Mr Russell Warner, a local businessman who runs a portfolio of industrial and commercial units

• Dr Phillip Smith, an associate professor in the School of Computer Science at University of Birmingham and a former King's pupil

• Mrs Melanie Green, an expert in cyber-security and compliance at Nationwide Building Society

• Mrs Kate Bedwell, the global lead for law enforcement assistance and human rights programmes at Vodafone Group

• Mrs Claire Thompson, an executive coach and development consultant

• Revd Craig Huxley-Jones, the new canon precentor at Gloucester Cathedral

The King's School currently has the largest school roll in its long history and has seen outstanding academic and co-curricular achievements in recent years, as well as considerable investment in the school campus and facilities.

The new-look governing body will bring fresh insight and support, as the school fulfils its aims of continuing to offer a first-class independent education whilst also broadening access to the school, developing local partnership projects and prioritising sustainability.

The King's School is one of the nation's oldest charities, having educated the children of Gloucestershire since the school was re-founded by King Henry VIII in 1541.