Alan Taylor

Alan Taylor, Governor of Sidcot School, Headshot
Alan Taylor
Governor

What do you enjoy about being a governor of Sidcot?

I am looking forward to contributing to oversight and governance of this leading independent school. I am here to learn and to contribute in anyway that I can to add value to the school and the board of governors.

What do you do in everyday life?

I am a husband and father of two young adults in their twenties. I also have a 2 year old cocker spaniel called Koda. In work I am the Group HR Director for a global engineering and electronics manufacturer called Volex and I help the business by leading on their people agenda as well as leading on safety and sustainability topics. As a hobby and for fitness I am a keen all-year-round open water swimmer.

What’s most important to you about being a governor?

To be able to listen to the key stakeholders and then to bring in something useful from my 30 years of work experience.

What are you curious about?

As a reflector-theorist I am always keen to deepen my knowledge about the work that I am doing or am responsible for.  Since graduating I have completed a PE Diploma in Engineering and Business Management as well as two Masters’ level qualifications at Leicester and Salford Universities.

What surprises you about Sidcot?

Looking forward to finding out.

Do you think you would enjoy being a student at Sidcot? And if so, why?

I enjoyed most aspects of my time as a boarder at an independent school in Berkshire. My first impressions of Sidcot is that it must be a wonderful place to be a student.

What does Quakerism mean to you?

Quakerism for me defines a clear set of values and a uniquely purposeful approach to life.  Whilst many of these principles are often enshrined by schools and organisations through their mission, vision and value statements, the principles of Quakerism appear to me to be stronger and more substantive. This is of course partly because they have been evolving since the 17th Century.

What's the best piece of advice you've ever been given?

Don’t try and answer all the questions – try and ask the question that no one else has asked!

If you had one word to sum up Sidcot, what would it be?

Inspirational.