Board of Trustees
James is a qualified accountant and has extensive experience in senior management roles both in New Zealand and overseas. His 40 year career has been primarily spent in the service sector, with the last 10 years based in Singapore with overview responsibility for Finance, HR, IT and Governance matters across 19 Asian countries.
Having returned to Christchurch as COVID spread across the globe, James now enjoys time with his children and grandchildren. His granddaughter started at Selwyn House School in Year 1 in 2023.
James is a strong believer in the benefits offered to parents and students through having an independent school option. In addition to his role Board Chair at Selwyn House School, he is a member of the Medbury School Foundation Board. He is also a director of several private companies.
Patrick Broadbent joined the Selwyn House School Board in 2024, bringing his expertise in business and strategic development to the role. He co-founded Snap Rentals, one of New Zealand’s leading rental car companies, where he focuses on innovation and operational excellence.
Patrick is a dedicated father of three children, including two daughters that attend Selwyn House. He is passionate about fostering a supportive and enriching educational environment for all students.
Dean joined the Selwyn House Board in 2016 and has remained a Trustee after his youngest daughter finished Year 8, and went to High School. He is the Managing Director of Golden Homes Christchurch, one of the largest group home building companies in Canterbury.
In his position on the Selwyn House Trust Board, Dean brings with him many practical business skills, and enjoys sharing his ideas and contributing. In turn, he has enjoyed seeing the positive changes and growth of the school and looks forward to watching the school thrive in the years to come.
Outside of work hours, you will find Dean either road cycling or as the ‘number one’ supporter of his wife and three children at rowing regattas throughout New Zealand.
Jo is a Chartered Accountant Fellow and Prince2 Practitioner. Since qualifying with Deloitte in London, she has gained experience across a wide range of industries including large multinational listed corporates, public sector, primary industry sector and big 4 professional practice. Jo’s career in Finance has included financial control, leading group management accounting functions, delivering commercial projects, and systems implementation.
Jo returned from London with her Cantabrian husband and newborn in 2014, seeking a better work-life balance and a good place to settle and raise their daughter. She has recently started a new role as Finance Lead at Sorted Logistics and is really enjoying the challenge of learning a totally new industry with a growing and dynamic company. Outside work Jo enjoys competing in half marathons, trail running, mountain biking, snowboarding as well as spending time with family.
Throughout her career she has engaged with a number of community projects and views this role as an opportunity to continue this, supporting the ongoing delivery of high-quality education and wellbeing to students of Selwyn House School and Pre-school.
Renata is an accomplished operations and project manager with a rich background in media, entertainment and business development.
Over the past 15 years, she has successfully post produced and delivered projects for major industry players, including Peter Rabbit 1 (Sony Pictures), the acclaimed Australian documentary 2040, which addresses climate change and sustainable solutions, and Deadline Gallipoli (NBCUniversal). Additionally, she has contributed to live broadcasts for SBS on significant events like the FIFA World Cup, Eurovision, and World News.
Her diverse skill set includes support technology and integrations, cybersecurity policies, business development both in Australia and internationally, as well as marketing and data analytics.
With a strong foundation in the performing arts, Renata has served as a dance educator in primary schools. As an advocate for well-being she is looking forward to supporting the board’s strategic vision and elevating the values of Selwyn House School. In her free time, she is a sought-after dance journalist, and conducts interviews with industry leaders across Australia, NZ, UK and USA and reviews major shows such as Disney Theatrical Productions ‘Beauty and The Beast’.
Tamara is an alumni of Selwyn House School and a parent to four children, three of whom have attended or currently enrolled at Selwyn House School. Tamara also serves as President of the Selwyn House School Alumni Association and loves connecting with past, present and future families about the benefits of a Selwyn House School education.
Todd joined the Board in 2024 and is an Associate Director at Johnstaff, a consulting practice specialising in client-side advisory and project management services for infrastructure investments. He is an experienced construction professional with a proven track record of delivering large-scale and complex projects. In 2015, he moved to Christchurch to help establish Johnstaff’s business in New Zealand.
Todd is a father of two daughters and joined the Selwyn House Board shortly after enrolling his older daughter in 2024. In his spare time, he enjoys playing golf, staying fit, and coaching and supporting nippers in surf lifesaving.
He looks forward to utilising his experience to support the Selwyn House Trust Board and contribute to the school’s strategic infrastructure plan.
Tom joined the Board in 2022. He has a keen interest in education and over the years has held various governance roles in different sectors. In his spare time, Tom enjoys relaxing with friends and family, sports, music, and the great outdoors.
Annabel Turley joined the Board in 2025 and is also an Alumni Committee member of the Selwyn House School Alumni Association. She is a pharmacist, business owner, and proud mother of Hugh and Harper. As a Selwyn House alumni, she credits the School with shaping her into the strong, independent woman she is today.
After studying at Milford Primary School, Selwyn House, Craighead Diocesan, and the University of Otago, Annabel went on to open two pharmacies in central Christchurch. Since 2019, she has also served as Chair of the Christchurch Central City Business Association. Annabel is passionate about giving back to Selwyn House and excited by the opportunity to contribute to its future as a member of the Board of Trustees.
