William V. N. Philip Named Eighth Headmaster

The Board of Trustees of Westminster School announced today the appointment of William V.N. Philip, who has had a long and distinguished career serving in senior leadership capacities at the school, as Westminster’s eighth headmaster beginning July 1, 2010. His appointment follows a national search for a successor to Headmaster Graham Cole, who is retiring next June after 17 years at the school.

“Bill’s years of extraordinary service and accomplishment at Westminster encompass all of the qualities we were seeking in a new head of school,” said John Armour, chairman of the Westminster Board of Trustees. “With his broad academic and teaching experience and proven leadership success across many school programs, he has the record of accomplishment necessary to lead Westminster on the path of continued distinction in the independent school world.”

After Headmaster Cole announced in January his plans to retire in June 2010, the Westminster School Board of Trustees appointed an eight-member Head of School Search Committee composed of teachers, parents, alumni and trustees to identify his successor. The committee aided by consultants, Carney Sandoe & Associates, conducted a nationwide search that attracted more than 80 candidates for the school’s leadership position. They narrowed the list down to four semi-finalists. Members of the committee and the Westminster community then participated in rounds of candidate interviews that led to a finalist recommendation to the Board of Trustees, which unanimously approved Bill Philip as the next headmaster.

“Based on his intelligence, character, broad-based experience, work ethic, loyalty and passion to lead, the committee unanimously agreed that Bill Philip was just the right person to advance Westminster over the next decade,” said William Egan, chair of the Head of School Search Committee.

During his 26-year tenure at Westminster School, Bill has held a variety of teaching, administrative and coaching responsibilities, including associate headmaster for eight years and assistant headmaster for three years. He also has taught history for 25 years and served as director of studies, director of college counseling and senior development director. A graduate of Hotchkiss School, he earned a Bachelor of Arts in history at Yale University and a Master of Arts in Liberal Studies at Wesleyan University.

Bill and his wife, Jennifer, who serves as alumni coordinator and head field hockey coach at Renbrook School, have two daughters: Katherine and Rosalie, who are both Westminster graduates.

“Westminster School is my passion, and I am deeply honored to be selected as its next headmaster,” said Bill. “I look forward to the extraordinary opportunity to work with all members of the Westminster community and the surrounding community in building on the distinguished history of one of the finest independent schools in the nation.”

View the video of William V. N. Philip’s introduction as Westminster School’s Eighth Headmaster on Nov. 6.