Stockport Grammar Schools' Chair of Governors, Mrs Hazel Tritschler, has stepped down from the role as she has recently accepted a new professional appointment as Chief People Officer at TCBC, based in Turks and Caicos. In December 2025, the Board appointed Mr Paul Brearley, JP, DL as Vice Chair (Elect) to become Chair of Governors from March 2026. 

This phased transition allows for a thoughtful handover and preserves the momentum of recent strategic initiatives. Mrs Tritschler wished to pass on her gratitude and best wishes to the school: 

“I am grateful for the opportunity to have served in this role and delighted to remain on the Governing Body after this time. It has been a privilege to witness the successes of our pupils, to share in their passion at events, and to see first‑hand the dedication of staff and parents who support them. I look forward to continuing this journey with you all as we go beyond together.” 

Our new Chair of Governors, Paul, has extensive experience in public service, having been a member of Salford Community Health Council from 1985 – 1995, serving five years as Chairman. In 1995 he was appointed as a Non-Executive Director of Manchester Children’s Hospitals NHS Trust, encompassing Royal Manchester Children’s and Booth Hall Children’s Hospitals, until the trust merger in 2001. He has been a trustee of the Citizens Advice Bureau for over 20 years and Chairman of the Combined Hospital CAB for 11 years. 

He was sworn in as a Magistrate at Salford Courthouse in 1997 where he served until transferring to Stockport Magistrates Court in 2001, where he was later elected Deputy Bench Chairman and the last Chairman of the Stockport Bench at the creation of the Greater Manchester Bench. Paul was Chairman of the GM Family Panel for six years before being elected as the Chair of the Greater Manchester Bench for the period April 2019 – March 2022. He is Vice Chair of the Greater Manchester Magistrates Association Branch, which has a very active Magistrates in the Community program, currently working in collaboration with other agencies to address violence prevention through virtual education.

Paul is a Director/Trustee of the Wellspring (Stockport) Ltd, where he is Chair of the Finance and Investment Committee, Trustee of David Lewis Centre (Alderley Edge), is the Chair of Vernon Charitable Foundation, Trustee of the Skelton Charity, Director of Hemsley House Limited and Patron of Beechwood Cancer Care.

He is clerk to his local Parish Council and Chair of the Management Committee of his local Parish Hall. Paul is also a carer for his former disabled partner.

Mrs Shazia Book will take up the role of Vice Chair (Elect) and Mr Paul Carr will continue in the role of Vice Chair (Non-Elect) through to March 2027, providing valuable continuity and support to our school. 

We wish Hazel the best in her new adventure and warmly welcome our Chair of Governers, Paul, into his new role from 1st March 2026.