Governance

Roger Marks (71-82) is a technical entrepreneur who has established and led numerous software and electronics businesses, both in the UK and Europe. In recognition of his achievements, he was awarded the UK Digital Entrepreneur of the Year in 2013.

A proud Old Bedfordian and a former parent (2006-2017), in 2019, he was appointed as a Co-opted Trustee of Bedford School Trust and played a pivotal role as a member of the merger committee, which oversaw the joining together of the Bedford School Foundation and the Trust.

He became a member of the Investment Committee in 2023 and was appointed Chair of the new Bedford School Foundation Trust in July 2023.

Mark’s family has a long history of attendance at Bedford School. Mark attended Bedford School (86-91) and went on to study a degree in Agriculture and Land Management at the Royal Agricultural University. He started his career in farm management and agronomy, developing Strutt & Parker’s rural team looking after farming businesses for land owning clients.

On achieving an MBA from Cranfield School of Management,  Mark moved into corporate life in 2008 with a global biotechnology firm.  He now Heads the European Sustainable & Responsible Business Team, seeking to bring new technology to making food production and processing more sustainable. He also started his own farming and commercial property business with his wife in 2020. 

Nick is an Old Bedfordian music scholar (86-91) and one of nine other members of his wider family who have attended the school.

On leaving Bedford School he studied for a degree in Rural Estate Management at The Royal Agricultural University, Cirencester. He subsequently achieved professional membership to The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors and Central Association of Agricultural Valuers.  His career has predominately been focused on managing mixed use landed estates.

He currently manages a 2,430 ha privately owned estate in East Sussex where he lives with his wife and two sons. He is a Trustee of the Sussex Heritage Trust and a past Trustee of the Sussex Game and Wildlife Conservation Trust Committee. 

Ian Peck (65-76) attended Bedford School, as did his three sons.

On leaving school, Ian went to Cambridge University then returned to Bedford School from 1982-1986 where he taught Geography and Economics and was the Master in Charge of Rugby.

Ian left the school to become a Chartered Surveyor and worked at Bidwells LLP for 35 years, the last 15 years of which he was equity partner, the partner in charge of Valuation and Consultancy and was Head of the Milton Keynes and Northampton offices.

Ian retired from Bidwells in 2021 and now runs his family farming business along with his own property consultancy.

He is Trustee of a number of small family trusts and Director of the Northants County Cricket Club Holding Company.

Mark Sismey-Durrant is parent to two former Bedford School boys – James and George.  

On graduating from Loughborough University in 1983 with a BSc (Hons) in Banking and Finance and an MPhil for research into international banking and economics, Mark went on to have a long and successful career in the banking industry.  He has served as CEO of Sun Bank Plc, Heritable Bank Plc and Hampshire Trust Plc before commencing a portfolio career in 2018.  He is currently Chair of Cashplus Bank and GB Bank and Senior Independent Director at PCF Bank. 

Mark is also Chair of the Strategic Advisory Board of Loughborough Business School having served on the University Council for 9 years and as Pro Chancellor. He has served on the Boards of the UK Finance and British Banking Association and was Chair of the British Icelandic Chamber of Commerce.  

He is a Past Master of the Worshipful Company of International Bankers and is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Bankers and a Fellow of the RSA. 

James Hodgson has been the Head Master of Bedford School for ten years.  He served as Chairman on the Bedford School Trust, and was a a Trustee of the Bedford School Foundation before the entities merged to form the Bedford School Foundation Trust in 2022