Cheltenham College has announced the appointment of Chris Townsend as its new Head of College, effective from April 2026. Mr. Townsend currently serves as the headteacher at Felsted School in Essex and brings with him an impressive 30-year career in the independent school sector.
With a degree in Classics from Brasenose College, Oxford, Mr. Townsend has developed a distinguished career in education, spending the last 15 years in senior leadership roles—including deputy head and then head at Felsted School. His leadership is marked by a strong record of innovation across academic, pastoral, and co-curricular programs.
In addition to his educational roles, Mr. Townsend has contributed as a trustee in various educational and non-educational organizations, demonstrating his broad commitment to governance and community service.
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He succeeds Nicola Huggett, who has served as Head of Cheltenham College since 2018 and will depart at the end of the spring term in 2026 to pursue a new role overseas.
William Straker-Nesbit, President of the College Council, expressed enthusiasm about the appointment: “We warmly welcome Mr. Chris Townsend, our 23rd Head of Cheltenham College. His extensive leadership experience in prestigious UK boarding schools will be invaluable as he joins us in the Summer Term of 2026. We look forward to him, his wife Melanie, and their children David and Lydia joining the Cheltenham community.”
Mr. Townsend said, “It is a genuine honor to build upon the excellent work of Nicola Huggett. I am excited to engage with the entire college community in the coming months as I prepare to take on this role.”