“The Teachers At Hymers Are Life-Changers” - Hymers College Welcomes New Chair of Governors

Hymers College is pleased to welcome a new Chair of Governors to the Board - alumnus Dr John Kittmer.

Having left Hymers in 1985, John went on to be educated at the University of Cambridge, the University of Oxford and King’s College London. He gained degrees in Classics and in Modern Greek, plus a PhD in modern Greek literature.

His professional career in the civil and diplomatic services saw him work for the Department for Education and Employment, the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs, the Cabinet Office and the Foreign Office. Over nearly 25 years, he held numerous positions, including as the British Ambassador to Greece (2013-2016). In 2021, he received an honours award from the Greek state.

When discussing why he had chosen to volunteer his time to support Hymers College, John shared that it was in large part because of his studies at the school. He said: “I am fully aware of everything that this school did for me… Hymers College takes the transmission of knowledge seriously, whether that is through academic knowledge, transferable skills or wider life skills, such as teamwork and public-speaking.

“Most importantly, Hymers inspires young people to learn and to be curious about the world, to be exploratory and ambitious, to enter adult life with the knowledge, skills and confidence to develop learning further and to make a real contribution: to the professions, to enterprise and to society. The teachers who inspired me directly influenced the course of my life, they opened my mind to possibilities I wouldn’t have dreamed of and changed my life for the better.”

John has worked in the private sector as a non-executive director of an international maritime business and has substantial experience in the voluntary sector. He spent four years as the chair of the Gilbert Murray Trust and was the chair of the Anglo-Hellenic League from 2018 to 2024. Speaking of the charitable nature of Hymers College, which supports 10% of its students through its bursary scheme, he said: “Hymers College was founded in the belief that the provision of high-quality education is a reasonable, achievable charitable objective. I am strongly committed to that belief. The teachers at Hymers are sources of inspiration, engines of possibility, life-changers.”

Dr Kittmer succeeds John Redman, who served as the Chair of Governors for six years and will remain on the Board until the end of the academic year.

Mr Justin Stanley, Headmaster at Hymers College, welcomed the appointment. “The commitment Mr Redman has shown to the role has been quite extraordinary. One of his great qualities is his deep understanding of education and empathy for everyone with a stake in school life: the pupils, the parents, the staff.

“Whilst we will miss John Redman, I know that the Board have found an excellent and experienced successor, and I look forward to working closely with Dr John Kittmer in the years ahead.”

Hymers College is an independent school in Hull, educating over 1,000 pupils from age three to 18. To find out more, explore the school’s website and book a tour.