The Members
The first members are the original signatories of the Articles of Association which legally forms the charitable company that is the multi-academy Trust called Education South West. The members have only a minimal role in the day-to-day running of the Trust, but an important role in ensuring that the Trust fulfils its original objectives.
The members do this by holding the Board to account, forming an important function in the system of checks and balances. They ensure that the Board operates in accordance with the principles of charity governance. They appoint auditors as part of the process of ensuring financial probity. They hold the Board to account for the success of the Trust. In order to help do this, they can appoint and remove the trustees who serve on the Board.
All this can be summed-up in the concept that members are our “guardians of governance.”
John Pike
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I was born and live in Newton Abbot and am married with three teenage children. After taking a degree in economics and law at Cambridge I trained and practiced as a solicitor in the City of London. Before joining Watts, Blake, Bearne & Co PLC headquartered in Newton Abbot – a public company listed on the Stock Exchange. It was the world’s leading producer of ball clays for the ceramics industries with production operations in 10 countries. I was group managing director of the company from 1985 to 1995 and, following its takeover by SCR Sibelco, a non-executive director and deputy chairman until 2002.
I have been a governor of Coombeshead since 1999 – during difficult as well as good times – hoping to contribute to the raising of aspirations and achievement of the young people of our community. I was a director of TAST from 2011 to 2016.
I am a director or trustee of various organisations including Newton Abbot Community Interest Company, Newton Abbot Community Transport Association, the Stover Canal Trust, the Ball Clay Heritage Society, Manaton PCC, Exeter Cathedral Preservation Trust and Torbay Medical Research Fund. I am also trustee of the charitable trust responsible for developing the gardens and woodlands at Heathercombe, near Manaton, and opening them to the public.
Nick Grodhunce
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Nick was educated in London and attended the Art College and the London College of Fashion whilst also conducting an apprenticeship in Hairdressing. When he moved to Devon he opened his first salon in 1979, which has now expanded to 4 salons. He also started a property development business and has been a Director of a building development company in the South West for over 35 years.
With his interest in Art, Nick became a Trustee and eventually Vice Chair of The Lenkiewicz Foundation, a charity promoting the ideas and work of Artist R.O. Lenkiewicz.
His other business interests include Fine Art sales, property consultancy and property management.
He became a Governor of KCC in 2000, focusing specifically on Safeguarding, Art, Music and as a Responsible Officer (RO). Nick is also a member of the Audit Committee, working on projects including transitioning KCC to become a Trust, an Academy and eventually a Multi Academy Trust.
Nick’s hobbies include Sailing, Skiing and Art collecting.
Nick believes passionately that every child should be given the opportunity, through a broad education and inspirational teaching, to realise and fulfil their ambitions.
Sharon Marshall
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I was born in Liverpool where I attended school, until the age of 11. Following secondary school in Wiltshire, and university at Kings College London (History) and Bristol University (History and Physical Education) I entered the teaching profession. I have worked in education for over 30 years, teaching in schools in Peterborough and North Devon, in a variety of roles. I retired as Headteacher of a large secondary school in August 2020 having held leadership roles in schools for almost thirty years. I am currently Vice Chair of the Exeter Diocesan Board of Education Committee and Chair of the Committee’s Standards and Ethos Group. I am passionate about the right of every child to have access to an education which allows them to flourish in all aspects of life.
My leadership roles within schools, both community and church school, have given me experience of both the OFSTED and SIAMS inspection frameworks and processes, experience of managing large budgets, the challenges of staff recruitment and retention, HR and Health and Safety issues and of course the curriculum, safeguarding and pastoral support, and their centrality to school life. I am passionate about the right of every child to have access to an education which allows them to flourish in all aspects of life and recognise the challenges school staff and leaders face in securing this provision.
Beyond my career in education, I have a lifelong interest in sports, both as a participant and a spectator, and since my retirement have been able to follow my interest in art, by visiting exhibitions and galleries, and trying my hand at painting.
Margaret Turgoose
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I have been a Governor at Exmouth Community College (ECC) since January 2010; for 6 years as a Parent Governor and then a further 7 years as a Community Governor. I was also a Governor at Lympstone Church of England Primary School from 2006 until August 2015 and was Chair from 2012. I became Chair of Governors at ECC in September 2017. Prior to that I chaired the Human Resources committee, the Pay committee and the Principal’s Performance Management committee. I am standing down from the Board in September 2023.
I went to a fairly, large comprehensive school in Newquay in Cornwall and graduated from Southampton University with a degree in Business Economics and Accounting in 1985. I worked for over 20 years in the public sector, primarily for The Post Office, where I was fortunate to have the opportunity to experience a wide range of management roles. Amongst other things, I managed teams of people, was responsible for several million pound budgets, headed up customer service for Post Office Counters Ltd and led a number of major change programmes. I have done a lot of work in recruitment, training and performance management. I also worked in a management consultancy which had contracts with Local Authorities in different parts of the country and for the past 13 years, I have worked with my husband in our own small management consultancy business.
Jim Lodge