University of Bath - Professor of Automotive Propulsion

Chris has seventeen years’ experience of teaching as a university academic, in posts ranging from lecturer to professor, and over twenty years as a chartered engineer, having practised in industry and university settings. He is a fellow of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers and have previously chaired the Automobile Division of the Institution.

This background gives him a good perspective on the importance of STEM subjects in schools and the crucial need to inspire children to take an interest in science and mathematics at an early age and to nurture this interest through innovative and effective education. 

Ed has worked in education for 30 years and works at the Diocese of Bath & Wells as Director of Education. He has worked extensively in Primary schools in Somerset from being a newly qualified teacher through to headship. In the past 19 years, Ed has held three headships; for a rural Community School of 60 pupils, a Church of England VC Primary of 230 children and most recently a school of 429 children near the centre of Taunton.

A practising Christian, Ed has represented church schools on Somerset’s Advisory Council for Religious Education (SACRE) and been a member of the Diocesan Board of Education. Ed is trained as a SIAMS (Statutory Inspection of Anglican and Methodist Schools) Inspector and has previously been involved in the delivery of number of national programmes including a Local Leader of Education.

Retiree

With an impressive four decades of experience in school environments, Jennifer has served in various leadership roles, such as Head of Subject and Head of Year. She advocates for every child to receive a "good" education, underlining her commitment to fostering academic excellence.

President of The Walt Disney Company Europe, Middle East and North Africa. (Now retired from this role and a pensions advisor and board member of a number of multinational companies).

Stuart has considerable experience in general leadership and management. He has an excellent understanding of business and finance. He brings significant experience to the Trust in all aspect of business leadership and leadership in general.

Kate oversees a local nursery in our community, contributing her invaluable expertise in the early years phase, with a focus on safeguarding, child well-being, and therapeutic play. Her adept handling of data and business management further enriches the Trust's operations

Sarah is an experienced commercial real estate solicitor previously having worked at an international law firm and been a partner in a local law firm.  She has dealt extensively with school and local authority land in her career and now works for the Department for Education leading on the free school acquisition programme.

Sarah has been a governor/trustee for 12 years including time as chair of governors of two secondary schools.  She brings a wealth of experience in legal, governance, commercial and management sectors.

University of Bath - Senior Research Fellow.

Annette has worked in education for most of her working life, most recently in the university sector with the explicit remit of connecting with schools and colleges to increase participation of groups underrepresented in higher education. This has provided Annette with a good understanding of the challenges facing schools aiming to improve outcomes for their more disadvantaged students. Her most recent role was at the University of Bath through which Annette became familiar with the schools in the MNSP area.

Annette was also the Chair of governors for Hayesfield Girls’ School in Bath and will use her wealth of experience to support the development of the Bath Hub.

School Organisation Advisor - Diocese of Bath & Wells.

Claire has significant education governance experience at primary, secondary and specialist school phases; she was a National Leader of Governance from 2016-2021. Claire currently works for the Diocese of Bath & Wells, in the Education team, where she delivers governance improvement training as well as having a role in the management of school property, school maintenance and environmental issues.  She is a trained ACAS investigator and has undertaken a number of independent HR investigations for LAs and MATs.

Claire is on the board of her local Citizens Advice; she served as a local authority councillor from 2003-2019 and remains politically active.

Retired Business Executive and Consultant for Unilever International.

Dennis had a successful career in corporate business and has been a long standing governor at another secondary school, he has a wealth of experience and a range of skills that will be of benefit to the board. Dennis is able to provide strategic direction, support change management, and has experience of being accountable to a range of stakeholders. He is a diocesan appointment and is charged with preserving the Christian distinctiveness of church schools in the Trust.

Eyetec Group - Managing Director.

Simon runs a large local business of opticians and IT consultancy. He is a start-up expert and has run a number of companies successfully for many years. His business employs 60 or so staff and he brings a local business perspective to the Trust. Simon has been a school governor in the past and understands education IT exceptionally well. Simon is also a GDPR expert.

Sun Chemical UK – Accountant and HR Manager, also Trustee of company pension scheme. (Retired)

Andrew brings experience of financial management to the Trust. He is a qualified accountant and holds a number of qualifications in relation to HR.

University of the West of England- Professor of Interactive Artificial Intelligence.

Jim has over 20 years experience as an academic, researching and teaching many aspects of artificial intelligence, computer science, and maths. He  is a Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy.  He has been a governor at a local primary school for over 12 years, chairing the finance committee and having responsibility for oversight of Maths and Science. These experiences, with those of  leading numerous collaborative research projects, have given him skills in working and communicating with different groups of stakeholders.

NatWest Group - Head of Competence and Evaluation.

Tony’s current & prior roles involve the monitoring & measuring of standards, using information to provide reassurance, the identification of the root causes of failures along with the planning and implementation of actions required to raise & improve standards. The principles applied in his professional life are transferable & helpful when providing oversight, support & challenge.

In addition, as a long standing Governor of an Outstanding Primary school his experience of Leadership & Management has enabled him to provide support, direction & rigour to the governing body & the school management team.

Midsomer Norton Schools’ Partnership - CEO

Currently in his 10th year as CEO of the Midsomer Norton Schools’ Partnership, OFSTED trained, has 12 years experience as a Headteacher and 17 years of experience as a senior leader in schools. This knowledge across all phases, means Alun has an excellent understanding about leadership structures and systems, which leads to first rate schools and education for young people.

Venturers Trust - Deputy CEO responsible for School Improvement

Trystan Williams is a collegiate leader working at all levels in the educational sector, from the primary and secondary phases to university level.

Trystan held his first position as Principal in Wiltshire for ten years, moving into an Executive Headteacher role and then Chief Executive Officer in Surrey, before returning to the South West to open a Specialist Free School for children and young people with a primary diagnosis of autism, in September 2016. He is also the Executive Lead for Venturers Trust, overseeing 5 Primary Schools and Academy Improvement across his Trust.

A graduate of Cardiff Metropolitan University, Trystan won Best School Professional UK in 2008. Four years later, under his leadership, his Academy won the TES Outstanding Special School Award and Overall Outstanding School of the Year.

Trystan has chaired national conferences, led on many ground breaking initiatives such as “The Extreme Classroom”, the subject of numerous documentaries filmed and aired by the BBC, both nationally and globally and achieved recognition at government level for his commitment to the highest standards of care and education for vulnerable young people.