In Rememberance of Mr Brian Philip Bamford
It was a very sad day for the Uplands community, and in particular, for the ISP Schools Association Board of Governors, when one of our long-serving Governors, Mr Brian Philip Bamford, passed away recently.
Brian had been a Board member since 1995, and was a representative of the Incorporated Society of Planters, the organisation responsible for establishing the School back in 1955. He was a retired planter, and was much esteemed within the plantation fraternity. The fact that he had lived and worked in Malaysia since he was a young man, meant that he brought a wealth of valuable and practical experience to the Board of Governors. During his time as a Patron Governor he served on various committees, and in spite of his advancing years remained an active Board member. Indeed, his current position was as Vice-chair of the Management Committee.
Brian was a highly respected Board member. Never one to toe-the-line, indeed no-one is likely to forget the candor of his speech, but this was part of what made him special. He was always willing to speak out and share his opinions, regardless of whether it was an opinion shared by the majority/minority of fellow Board members. Brian was passionate about Uplands, and that passion was reflected in the way he approached his position as a Board member. He took his position seriously and always endeavored to serve the Board and the School to the best of his ability.
Brian will be deeply missed by all his fellow Governors, and our sympathy and condolences go out to his family, most especially during the coming months when the reality of his passing begins to sink in and they, like us, have to come to terms with the loss. Board meetings will not be the same without him, but he will live on in the hearts and minds of everyone, and I am sure he will always be with us in spirit.
There are many adjectives which could be used to describe Brian – he was feisty, fun, meticulous, punctual, outspoken, and all-in-all, quite a character. He was however so much more than that. He was a wonderful man, a respected Governor, a gentleman and a great friend and supporter of Uplands. We are all the richer for having known him, and he will be deeply missed.
The School's governance framework is headed by a Board comprising patron governors and parent governors. This Board of Governors provides the strategic guidance and corporate oversight of Uplands School, and meets at regular intervals throughout the year. Supporting the Board are several committees that ensure the necessary stewardship of the School's finances and activities. The chief committee is the Management Committee and it meets on no less than a monthly basis. This committee works closely with the Principal by taking the Board's strategic guidance and applying it to the School's operations. The School Principal is supported by a Senior Management Team comprising Deputy Principals, a Director of Administration, Accountant and senior teaching staff. Other committees of the Board are the Finance Committee, the Trustee Committee, the Education Committee and the Development Committee. Committees are comprised of Board members; however, independent specialists are also invited to serve on the Finance Committee and the Education Committee. The School's finances are monitored by the Finance Committee and are audited by an independent external auditor.
Members of the Board of Governors
Mr. John Patrick Baskett Board member since September 2009
Chair of Governors since June 2010
Patron Member
Managing Director/Company Director
Mr. M R Chandran
Board member since 1982.
Member of Trustee Committee
Patron member.
The Company Director of IJM Plantations Berhad,
Eco Processors S/B, EcoChances S/B.
Director of the Incorporated Society of Planters (ISP) and ISP Management Sdn. Bhd.
Corporate Consultant Adviser to Agro-Commodity & Biofuel Industries.
Board of Commissioners of PT. Agro Indomas.
Former Director and Head of Plantations of Socfin Co. Bhd.
Formerly Chief Executive of Malaysian Palm Oil Association.
Mrs. Uta Malik
Board member since 1987.
Chair of Management Committee since 1995.
Patron member.
Housewife
Mrs. Susan Lee
Board member since 2006.
Member of the Trustee Committee.
Patron member.
Housewife
Dato. B.J. Yeang
Board member since 2007.
Former Board member (1993 – 2005)
Chair of Trustee Committee
Patron member.
Chairperson of Malaysian Red Crescent Society, Penang Branch
Former Chief Operating Officer of Invest-In Penang Bhd.
Former Deputy General Manager of PDC
Mrs. Leigh Pratt
Board member since Oct 2008
Chair of Development Committee
Member of Management and Finance Committees
Board Represenative in the Parent Teacher Association Committee
Parent member
PTA Chairperson for 4 years.
Housewife
Mr. Gary Hopkins
Board member since October 2008.
Chair of the Finance Committee
Member of Management & Development Committees
Parent member.
Advisor – Finance
Tan Sri Dato' Emeritus Professor Gajaraj Dhanarajan
Board member since September 2009
Chair of Education Committee
Member of Trustee Committee
Patron member
Former Vice Chancellor & CEO, Wawasan Open University
Mrs Cheryl Wee
Board member since October 2011
Member of Management, Development and Education Committees
Board Representative in the Parent Teacher Association Committee
Parent Member Housewife
Prof Amir Sharifuddin Bin Md Khir Board member since October 2011
Member of Finance and Education Committees
Parent Member
Dean & Professor of Medicine, Penang Medical College
Mr Thoralf Bauroth Board member since December 2011
Member of Management and Development Committees
Parent member
Project Manager
WGCDR Louis Nuttycombe Board member since August 2012
Member of the Trustee Committee
Patron member
Commanding Officer,
No. 324 Combat Support Squadron
Royal Australian Air Force,
RMAF Base Butterworth
Mr. Khoo Choon Keat (MIA 6839/CA)
Key Secretarial Services Sdn Bhd (276467-M)
Company Secretaries of The I.S.P. Schools Association (No.2597-V)
