Audit, Risk and Finance Committee - Appointed

Term ends - 01/10/2023

I am a Chartered Manager and professionally I work for Babcock International within the Assurance Team providing advice and support with the Business Management System (BMS) Simplification Programme, enabling the organisation to deliver a rationalised set of arrangements that are simple and efficient to use.

I became a Parent Governor in 2007 to gain a better understanding of the educational landscape and to contribute in whatever way I could to the success of the school. I became Chair in 2009 and together with the DHSB Team managed the transition to achieve Academy status as well as an 'Outstanding' Ofsted in 2011.

The educational environment continues to experience unprecedented change and enormous challenge, and at DHSB, Staff and Trustees come together as one to meet these challenges and work tirelessly to ensure that every student realises their full potential.

I am very proud and honoured to have been given the opportunity to work with such a dedicated and committed body of Trustees and an excellent team of Staff who work over and above to support each and every member of the DHSB Community so that ‘Everyone Succeeds.’

Appointed 04/02/2025

Education and Outcomes Committee

I am a family law solicitor with Wolferstans LLP and I have specialised in the law surrounding child protection and safeguarding matters for nearly 25 years. Every day in work is different and presents with new challenges and problems to overcome. I like to think I can remain calm and measured under pressure and live by the principle that there is always a solution to any problem although it may not necessarily be the easiest or first solution to think of.

I am a strong believer in rising to challenges with positivity and creativity and I can see those values embedded throughout the DHSB environment. I feel really privileged and excited to be able to play a part in the school and contribute where I can.

Audit, Risk and Finance Committee - Appointed 6/09/2023, Chair from September 2025.

I am a qualified certified accountant and managing partner of Westcotts Chartered Accountants & Business Advisors; a regional accountancy practice with offices across Devon and Somerset and a team of 300 people.

I have detailed knowledge of accounting standards, corporate governance and all aspects of financial reporting, as well as extensive experience in assisting clients with reviews of their financial budgets and strategies, and implementation of financial systems and controls.

I am the Chair of our Audit, Risk and Finance Committee as well as being the Chair of the Audit, Risk, Finance and Operations Committee for the Theatre Royal Plymouth.

Audit, Risk and Finance Committee - Co-opt

Term Ends 06/02/2027

I am an experienced systems and software chartered engineer with a history in the design and integration of large and complex systems. These have included nuclear safety, naval control and navigation systems.

I am also a Lieutenant Commander in the Royal Naval Reserve with both formal training and practical experience of man management, leadership, task planning and execution. As a NATO subject matter expert on navigation safety I have served on both Royal Navy and international naval staffs.

Currently working in Devonport Dockyard I have a strong interest in the promotion of safe working practices at all levels.

I have been a Trustee since 2001 and have served on a range of trustee committees, starting with the Engineering Specialism Committee then the Specialisms Steering Group and currently the Audit, Risk and Finance Committee. This reflects the changing focus of DHSB as it has taken itself forward during this period.

I had a son at the school and becoming a trustee to help the school develop its chosen role as an engineering specialism seemed to be an obvious and rewarding way to support it, particularly with my background.

Having two family members involved in local primary education provides me with a wider perspective of education in the area.

I have also been involved with the training and development of Royal Naval Reserve personnel at a local and national level for some time; which also supplies a different perspective on education and training

Clerk to the Trustees - all committees

Appointed 04/02/2025

Education and Outcomes Committee

I relocated from the US to Plymouth in 2019 to take up a role as Head of the School of Arts + Media Arts at University Plymouth.

I am a former Director of the Cornell Council for the Arts (CCA) at the US Ivy League institution, Cornell University, and I am an interdisciplinary artist, creative researcher, and curator interested in the influence of digital networks on contemporary aesthetics and the production of subjectivity.

Staff Representative

Education and Outcomes Committee

No voting rights

Parent Trustee

Audit, Risk and Finance Committee

Term of office started 1.3.22

With my middle son joining DHSB in September 2021 and another working hard to join him, I am looking forward to working with and learning from the strong team of trustees and staff and helping students realise their potential wherever I can.

An apprentice trained, Chartered Mechanical Engineer with an MBA from Durham University Business School, I spent 30 years maintaining, operating, and helping corporations acquire, international passenger and freight railways.

It is a fact that a good education and hard work can take you anywhere.

Born in St Judes, raised in St Budeaux and educated at Victoria Road Primary and Widey Technical High School for Boys, I joined British Railways as an apprentice engineer, and with their support and sponsorship completed my formal engineering education at Kings Road CofE and Plymouth University.

This enabled me to work with talented people in different cultures across the world. With spells in Cardiff, East Anglia,

London, Melbourne, Glasgow, New York, and the Baltics I came to appreciate the value of collaboration when managing diversity.

I now have a property/consultancy business; am a Trustee of a local children’s preschool charity (0 to 5 years); an Advanced Motorcyclist; a rugby fan and am refurbishing a classic mini cooper.

Audit, Risk and Finance Committee - Appointed

Term Ends - 23/03/2027. Vice Chair from September 2025.

I am a Primary Head teacher and strategic partner for school improvement working with Plymouth Local Authority and Plymouth Teaching School Alliance. I am a strand lead for developing educational leaders across the city and a Local Leader of Education (LLE) through National College of School Leadership.

I initially became a parent trustee when my children were part of DHSB and I wanted to give something back to the school. I am very interested in all aspects of school life, particularly maintaining high standards, supporting students to achieve their full potential and the ethos of DHSB. I have always endeavoured to bring energy and challenge to the role.

Being part of the community of DHSB is a privilege and a responsibility. I am committed to offer educational support to the fantastic team who work above and beyond. I am committed to ensuring we strive to be the best we can be for the benefit of all students and staff.

Headteacher

Appointed

Education and Outcomes Committee

Term ends 06/02/2027

Vice Chair Trust Board from September 2025

My son joined DHSB in 2019 and becoming a parent trustee seemed an excellent opportunity to support and work with the school. As both a former primary school parent governor and clerk to the governing body at Marjon University, I gained experience and appreciation of the important role played by a governing body. A language graduate, with further economics study, I have worked for the European Commission in Brussels, Welsh Development Agency, South West Regional Development Agency and KPMG as an economic development consultant. I am a qualified hockey coach, coaching at Ivybridge Junior Hockey Club.

Awaiting image and information - Joined September 2025