Our Members and Trustees
A Trust is run by Members and Trustees. This is a voluntary role and we have been very fortunate to secure 15 people with a wide range of expertise in education, special educational needs, finance, legal, HR and construction to run our proposed Trust.
Our Members
Dame Marcia Twelftree
Leadership Governance – Chair (SEND and Education)
- Former headteacher of two schools for 16 years (one rated Outstanding),
- Chair of Governors at Parker EACT Academy and Burnham Park EACT Academy, and Chair of IEB at Wye Valley School.
- Former member of the Government Implementation Review Unit representing Headteachers from 2003-2009, closely advising government on policy implementation, and sat on the Board of the School Food Trust from 2007 to 2011.
- Headteacher for Charters School in Sunningdale who has chaired various school and trust boards (Berkshire based)
Fiona O’Donnell
Member - Finance
- A governor at Manor Green and former parent.
- A qualified accountant (CIMA)
- Head of Enterprise Risk Management at International Airlines Group, and has been instrumental in managing Manor Green’s finances.
Ted Stevens OBE
Member
Project Management, Construction & Estates
- Experienced with development, PR, and communications
- Former director of SEAFA Consulting for 17 years.
- Former chair of the National Custom and Self Build Association for 8 years. (Gloucester based)
Robert Posner
Member
Leadership / Governance, Law
- Former CEO and Legal Counsel for The Electoral Commission,
- Can ensure compliance with applicable law, Nolan Principles, and professional standards. (Legal, governance and regulatory specialist)
- Legal Consultant and Editor (London based)
Claire Denning
Member
HR
- Chartered FCIPD working in the public and commercial sector with well-developed communication, interpersonal, influencing and analytical skills.
- Employee Experience Manager at Gama Aviation.
- Previous experience as HR Manager at Airbus & The Electoral Commission (home-based in Cornwall)
Our Trustees
Mark Trepte
Chair of Trustees, Chair of Addington Local Governing Body
Leadership / Governance
- Chair of governors at Addington School
- A governor since 2003.
- Focused on ensuring the best education for pupils. by questioning how budget spend, curriculum changes, IT investments etc
- Created the role of Equity Governor to ensure Protected Characteristics are considered across operations.
- Supported the Head closely through COVID and has negotiated an agreement with the LA for the Farley Hill expansion, ensuring the main budget was protected.
- He also has twelve years of experience in the private sector as the Content and Operations Director of an SME with staff (250+) in 6 countries and global sales.
Richard Pelly
Trustee, Chair of Manor Green Local Governing Body
Finance, Leadership / Governance
- Chair of MGS’s Governing Board
- Chaired two other governing boards, at Waltham St. Lawrence Primary School and Holy Trinity CofE Primary School
- Planned school strategic direction, overseen school financial performance, and held Headteachers to account.
- Former Treasurer of a Charity supporting Ranelagh School in Bracknell for 10 years.
- Chair of Policies Committee (Business and Governance)
- He served 33 years as a Marine Engineer Officer in the Royal Navy and 12 years as a Company Secretary and Director for a company promoting UK skills and expertise internationally.
Rita Vasa
Trustee
SEND, School Improvement
- Former Senior Adviser for Early Years and Primary at the RBWM for 18 years,
- Former School Improvement Adviser at West Berkshire Council for two years, lending her expertise in educational planning and assessment.
- She has held two headship roles and has significant school improvement experience across a wide range of schools.
- Chair of the governing board of Frogmore Infant School in Surrey.
Chair of Quality of Education Committee
Julie-Ann Burger
Trustee - Law
- Partner at Reading-based E J Winter and Son LLP
- Qualified as a solicitor in 1990 and as a Mediator in 2011
- Accredited by the Family Mediation Council.
- Trained in inclusive child mediation and is qualified to supervise mediators as a Professional Practice Consultant.
Catherine Tissot PhD
Trustee - SEND
- Professor of Special Educational Needs at Reading University,
- Former Head of School of the university’s Institute of Education. She has been involved in several courses training primary and EY teachers, both delivering lectures and tutoring for placements in special and mainstream schools.
- She designed and delivered the compulsory training course for all SENCOs.
- She is our pedagogical expert and a renowned expert in research for professional development for specialist SEND teachers.
Julie Holland
Trustee - Finance
Finance, Audit and Risk Committee
- Fellow of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) since 2005.
- Nearly 20 years experience in Local Government Finance.
- A further 15 years of leadership experience in Audit and Risk across public and private sectors, with extensive experience in financial management and governance.
Corrina Gillard
Trustee
Quality of Education Committee
- Deputy Director of Education for The Circle Trust
- Former Headteacher for 11 years- school rated as Outstanding under her leadership.
- Led an outstanding resource base for deaf children
- Was a SENCo for 15 years
- Has served as school staff governor for more than 20 years
- Former member of the Wokingham Schools' Forum, West Berks & Wokingham Safeguarding Board and the Wokingham Strategic SEND Board.