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New Chair of Governors

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Following the retirement of Leo Coligan, who was former Chief Executive of the Trinity Newsgroup, Merchant Taylors' Schools has appointed a new Chair of Governors. Peter Batey is Professor of Town and Regional Planning at Liverpool University. Born in West Hartlepool in the North East, Peter grew up in the Manchester area and attended Bury Grammar School before going on to study geography at Sheffield University and planning at Liverpool University.

After working initially as a planner in local government here in the North West, Peter embarked on an academic career some 36 years ago. This has enabled him to pursue a wide range of activities including teaching, editing and research. A year spent in the early 1980s as a Fulbright Scholar at the University of Illinois in the United States opened up many opportunities to work with colleagues throughout the world. At Liverpool he spent six years as Dean of one of the Faculties.

Outside the University, Peter plays an active role in local and regional organisations. This has included a spell as government-appointed independent Chairman of the Mersey Basin Campaign. The Campaign was a pioneering, 25-year partnership initiative established in 1985 by Michael Heseltine in an attempt to repair the damage done to the North West's rivers by industrialisation, and to encourage waterside regeneration and community involvement.

Peter has been a Governor at Merchant Taylors' since 1997. He takes great pride in the achievements of the Schools and believes they are extremely well-placed to continue that success in the uncertain world we now face. He said ‘I am privileged to have this opportunity to provide leadership and strategic direction and I am really looking forward to my new role.'

Peter is married and lives in Hightown. His two children, now grown up, both attended Merchants'.

Peter Batey

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