Trust Directors

Graham is a Chartered Engineer, a Chartered Information Technology Professional and a Certified Management Consultant. He has worked in many management services roles throughout his thirty-five-year career with Royal Sun Alliance in Bristol, London, Horsham, and Liverpool, along with positions in the USA, Mexico and South Africa, encompassing many roles. Since retirement he has built up a portfolio of University, Further Education, Multi Academy Trusts and Awarding Body governance roles along with NED and Trustee roles with Housing Associations, University Students' Unions and various Charities.

Graham is the Trust's Whistleblowing Trustee and chairs the Audit and Risk committee.

Nigel worked in Banking for nearly 40 years, most recently in his home city of Bristol where he specialised in the not-for-profit sector; he was involved from the start of the Academy movement and engaged in establishing a number of Multi Academy Trusts. Since his retirement Nigel has become a Trustee of three Charities covering International Development, Animal Rescue and another Diocesan MAT.

Nigel is the Chair of the Board of Trustees.

Chris retired in December 2016, having worked in a variety of primary schools in North Somerset, Bristol and South Gloucestershire as a class teacher, Deputy Head and Head Teacher. As a Local Leader of Education, Chris served 2 terms of office as a Consultant Head Teacher developing and promoting the work of the Local Authority’s Leadership Academy and then between 2013 and 2015 she was seconded part time, to support a school in challenging circumstances. A committed Christian, Chris has always played an active part in the life of the church, leading Bible Study groups and Discipleship courses. She is a member of the PCC and Churchwarden of her local church and is also Lay Chair of South Bristol Deanery. Since 2015, Chris has also been a member of the Diocesan Board of Education.

Bradley has been working in schools as a teacher and leader for 25 years. His career has taken him through a variety of academic, pastoral and management positions in state and independent schools in the South West. He is currently serving as Headmaster of Dean Close School in Cheltenham, a school he has worked at since 2009. Working as part of the Dean Close Foundation, Bradley has responsibility for the strategic direction of the school, the overall education provision, the wellbeing of staff and pupils and the financial growth and stability of the school. As a residential boarding school, the role also involves significant engagement with parents from both the UK and overseas. Dean Close is an active member of the Cheltenham Education Partnership, which seeks to provide opportunities for pupils and teachers from across all of the secondary schools in Cheltenham to learn and benefit from new programmes and events. Outside of school, Bradley is married to Clare, who is a Head of Religious Studies, and together they have three teenage daughters. Bradley has been a member of St Matthew's church Cheltenham since 2009 where he contributes to the teaching team, the visuals and the music.

Bradley is the vice-Chair of the Board of Trustees.

Liz has wide experience of working with a range of schools, starting out as a teacher and senior leader in primary schools in England and abroad, before working with an LA in school improvement and professional development. She was an Ofsted inspector and NCTL trainer. As the Director of Education for the Bristol Diocese, Liz supports all CE schools in the diocese through many roles including developing leadership, safeguarding, academisation and the promotion of church school vision, helping schools to become places where children and staff experience life in all its fullness.

Paul Woolley is CEO of the London Institute for Contemporary Christianity (LICC), which helps people integrate the Christian faith with their everyday lives and work. He was previously Deputy Chief Executive at Bible Society and was the founder and director of Theos, the religion and society think tank. In addition to his background in theology, Paul has worked in parliament and in public affairs. He has served as a member (2017 - 2019) and Chair (2019 - 2023) of a DBAT Academy Council.