The Board

Originally hailing from Manchester, I have worked as a teacher in education for 26 years, 17 as a senior leader as Headteacher, Executive Headteacher and chair of governors, I have led both secondary and primary schools out of special measures to achieve Ofsted outstanding and good grades. I am motivated by improving ‘cultures’ and providing ‘opportunities’ for all children to succeed, not just boosting examination outcomes.

I am proud to have been designated a National Leader of Education, as well as a trained and active lead Ofsted inspector at primary and secondary level, and enjoy working with others. As a level 7 executive coach and mentor with the Institute of Leadership and Management, I work closely with all who seek to make things better for children and staff in schools. I am a trustee of School Leadership Services, which offers support and challenge to heads and leaders across the south west.

Education is a force for change; I am passionate about the power of education for all and have many years’ experience as a governor and trustee.

Teachers and leaders should work together across educational settings for the good of all children; only by leading with humility will we truly help the children and young people we serve.

BA Hons English and American Literature, PGCE, PGDip, MA, NPQH, ILM Level 7

Graham Austin has retired from Barclays Bank after 37 years. His career started in Totnes. He moved around the country but returned to the area with his last role being the director in charge of Business Banking for the South West.

Throughout his working life, Barry has always been keen to get involved with the local community, been heavily involved with Chambers of commerce, Business improvement districts and school governorship.

He is married and has two grown up children – both attended Coombeshead, he has been a governor in various forms since children at Primary school, nearly 20 years in total.

David was the Chair of Teign School local governing body for 4 years and is currently a Trustee of ESW. He has been involved in Secondary education for a number of years both as a parent governor and also as a Director of TAST before the merger.

He is a Partner at EY, where he leads major improvement programmes across public and private sector. He believes in an inclusive workplace which welcomes talent from all backgrounds, vocations and academic achievement. To that end he believes the academy system should enable its students to develop both their skills and their attributes against a backdrop of high-expectations and encouragement.

Annelie has spent almost 25 years employed in financial services and investing. She started her career working as a research analyst for JP Morgan in London, subsequently working as a portfolio manager for Paris-based, institutional asset manager, Edmond de Rothschild, and latterly as an analyst and portfolio manager for alternative investment firm, Cheyne Capital Management.  Her core competency is in analysing the financial health of companies and institutions across all sectors and regions.   In addition to her professional responsibilities, Annelie sits on the Diversity and Inclusion Committee at Cheyne, seeking to address the gender bias in financial services and to advocate for disadvantaged children from rural and provincial backgrounds.

Annelie grew up and was educated in the South Hams.  She is married with three children and lives in Kingsbridge.

Barrie has a passion for providing the best possible opportunities for young people. He is Executive Director at Group Ltd – providing a secure online solution for voluntary organisations, local authorities and many other membership entities to deliver on the ground clubs and services UK wide.
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Barrie has worked in a range of consultancy environments with a focus on services for young people and the disabled community as well as being involved in a wide range of other voluntary projects.  His two boys have attended several of the Trust schools – with one still in Secondary.

Gail Brown is Chief Executive and Executive Headteacher of Ebor Academy Trust, which operates 23 primary schools in York, Selby, in the East Riding and The Humber and on the Yorkshire Coast. It is one of the largest multi-academy trusts in the country. Gail has been Chief Executive since February 2020 but formally joined the Trust in 2015 and has been Headteacher or Executive Headteacher of five Ebor Schools. Prior to this she was Regional Adviser for EYFS in Yorkshire and Humber and an Educational Consultant in City of York Local Authority.

In a 25-year educational career, she has been fortunate to have had a range of experiences which she says far outweighed her initial ambitions as a young graduate: “I always wanted to be a teacher and with an unwavering passion that all children are entitled to an excellent education, almost the first half of my career was spent teaching all phases of primary education,” she said.

Gail’s first teaching post was with Robert Wilkinson Primary School in Strensall, which later was to become the launchpad for Ebor Academy Trust.

Beth Brooks is an Executive at the South-West Social Mobility Commission, where she leads on various social mobility projects including the equity scorecard and university led tutoring. Before joining the commission, Beth worked in Widening Participation at the University of Exeter, and as a secondary school teacher in the South West. She holds a PGCE with distinction from the University of Exeter.