Board of Trustees

Chair

Rob is Vice Principal at Exeter College where he strategically leads on Schools, Partnerships & Curriculum. In addition to various governor roles he is a national expert panel member of the Education and Training Foundation, an honorary member of the City & Guilds London Institute and a director at Exeter City Football Club’s Charitable Trust. He also chairs the Greater Exeter Sports Strategy Board and is a member of EXIST.

Vice Chair

Professor David Hall moved to Exeter in 2017 to take up the role of Head of the Graduate School of Education at the University of Exeter. Previous to this he was the founding Head of the Manchester Institute of Education at the University of Manchester. David has an interest in large scale educational reform and its effects upon teachers and the wider workforce in education. As Chair of the Trust Performance and Standards Committee, David focuses upon ensuring that young people from all backgrounds are appropriately challenged and supported in their school based learning experiences.

Accounting Officer

Moira is the Chief Executive Officer of the Ted Wragg Multi Academy Trust having worked in Exeter since 2007 as Deputy and then as Headteacher of St James School. She has a track record of driving school improvement and a particular passion for inclusive education. Moira is a member of the Devon Association of Secondary Heads and is a National Leader of Education.

Principal Finance Officer

Alex is a chartered accountant and economics graduate and was for many years managing partner of a local accountancy practice. He is an experienced non-executive director and business advisor. He was appointed a Governor at St James School in 2013 and is keen to use his experience to help the Ted Wragg Multi-Academy Trust continue to thrive. Alex is Chair of First Federation MAT, Director of Genesis MAT, Chair of Devon Association of Governors and represents academies at Devon Education Forum and DAG at Devon's Heads Liaison Group.

Beccy is an experienced leader with a strong breadth of knowledge, having undertaken a range of roles within the public, private and higher education sector. She has particularly strong analytical skills, experience in providing strategic direction and advising on business change. Her current role at the University of Exeter is focussed on the development of partnerships and research impact within the Environment sector, having previously worked as Head of Emerging Markets at the Met Office. Beccy has been a governor at St James School for 3 years, a member of the Finance and Personnel Committee and Health & Safety Link Governor. She became a Trustee in July 2016, and now acts as Link Trustee for St James School.

Saxon has extensive experience of local government and education at local, regional and national level as an Exeter member of Devon County Council for 36 years, 29 as leader of the Labour Group. She continues to work as a school governor at Newtown Primary School and the Learn to Live Federation, which gives her a particular interest in Special Education. She is a co-opted member of Devon’s SACRE. Outside of education she is actively involved in the Co-operative and Labour Parties, the South West RSA, Fairtrade and the Devon & Cornwall Food Association.

Philip served as Chief Executive of Exeter City Council for 16 years until his retirement in 2013, following a long and wide ranging local government career. He became a governor at Exeter College in 2010 and was Chair of the Board between 2013 and 2017. He was appointed a Deputy Lieutenant of Devon in 2013 and received an Honorary Doctorate (LLD) from the University of Exeter in 2014.

Elaine's career has been dedicated to the NHS and after completing her nursing training she joined the RD&E hospital in Exeter where she achieved Board level status as Chief Operating Officer. During her time with the RD&E Elaine travelled the world gathering learning to apply to and improve services for patients, their families and carers. Elaine is passionate about the ability of education to transform lives and to expand the potential in people to realise their talents.

Richard Jacobs is an Exeter Business man, was a magistrate for 23 years and Chairman of the Youth Panel for nine. Richard's focus is on children from disadvantaged backgrounds. He was founder Chairman of the Marsh Barton Forum and the Exeter Business Forum, a member of the Exmouth Regeneration Board and supports the Development Campaign for Exeter Cathedral.

Sarah was born in Exeter and educated at schools that are now part of the Ted Wragg Trust. She graduated in 1997, became a primary school teacher and during her career has taught all primary school year groups. Sarah is currently a teacher at Willand Primary School (Ofsted ‘outstanding’). Sarah has been a school governor and Vice-Chair of the governing body of a local primary school. She has also served as a Director on the Board of a primary school Multi Academy Trust. Sarah believes strongly in optimising the educational experience of all young people but especially in the vital importance of a sound primary education as an essential precursor to effective secondary and higher level education.

Andy taught as a secondary school teacher for 8 years before becoming a youth worker in the voluntary sector. Andy is now a self-employed consultant leader with the Isca Church and Charity based in Exeter, supporting a small network of linked churches across Devon and Somerset. In addition, Andy is a director of South West Youth Ministries and serves on Exeter University's Multi-Faith Chaplaincy Sponsors Team. Andy has also been a school governor for 23 years in both primary and secondary education, including being Chair of the Local Governing Body for one of the Ted Wragg Trust's secondary schools.

Formerly Chief Executive of the Sutton Trust, education journalist and government advisor on Social Mobility, Lee is Britain's first Professor of Social Mobility. Appointed by the University of Exeter to be a global leader in the field, Lee's work is dedicated to improving the prospects of disadvantaged young people, working closely with schools, universities, employers and policy makers to develop and disseminate research. Lee is a founding trustee of the Education Endowment Foundation, a Visiting Fellow at the London School of Economics International Inequalities Institute, and an Honorary Professor at the UCL Institute of Education.

Crispin has worked in the field of Mental Health since 1980. He is currently Head of CAMHS for Devon & Torbay. Crispin is the Mental Health Lead Trustee and uses his extensive knowledge and experience to look at mental health in the context of the individual, the family, education and society. He is passionate about education for all children and young people and a key focus for Crispin will be to work with the Trust to ensure that all staff and students are mentally healthy.

Alison joined the Trust in November 2016 following a career both within the public and private sector. She has wide ranging experience in business management (strategic and operational) and customer relations and is a member of the Institute of Leadership and Management.