Ashville College appoints former British Council director as Bursar

Published by Ashville College on Tuesday 15th of November 2022

A former director of the British Council has been appointed Bursar at Harrogate’s Ashville College.

Yorkshire born and educated Richard Rooze has taken on the key financial role at the 850-pupil co-educational independent school after spending two decades with the United Kingdom's international organisation for cultural relations and educational opportunities.

In his last posting to Bahrain, Cambridge University graduate Mr Rooze led all of the British Council’s activity within the Arab state, set a five-year strategy, led a full restructuring of teaching operations, invested in significant process improvements and managed the relationship with the country’s Ministry of Education and Higher Education sector.

Before his 20-year career with The British Council - which also saw him working within its Hungary, The Lebanon, Saudi Arabia and Spain bureaus - Mr Rooze taught English as a foreign language in the UK and Europe.

Ashville College Head Rhiannon Wilkinson said: “We are absolutely delighted to have Richard join us as our Bursar.

“This is an incredibly important role as a bursar is a school’s financial director. Having started his career as a teacher – and spending many years at a very high level within the British Council – he brings with him a wealth of experience within the education sector.

“With our pupils coming from a host of different countries, and having a nursery in Hong Kong, we are truly an international school, and Richard’s experiences in Europe and the Middle East will also prove invaluable.”

Mr Rooze said: “After more than 25 years working abroad, I was looking at both a career change and to move to the Harrogate area, so when I saw Ashville advertising for a Bursar I knew this was the perfect position for me.

“In my last two roles with the British Council in Bahrain and Barcelona, I was responsible for the annual multi-million-pound budgets as well managing large teams.

“My goal is to use my skills to deliver excellent outcome for students and partners, and to build the brand of UK education over the long term, which I believe sits well with the vision of Ashville to help pupils be ‘the best versions of themselves.’

“I’m personally committed to educational excellence and I’m excited to be helping develop and deliver Ashville’s strategy for the next five years, which will see the College celebrate its 150th anniversary in 2027.”

For more information about Ashville College, please visit www.ashville.co.uk or call 01423 566358.