Trustees
Carl Atkinson
Carl Atkinson is the chair of Westcountry Schools Trust.
Carl is a practising holistic independent financial planner and has operated since 1988. He is Director of a limited company providing financial advice to private and corporate clientele together with Trusts and Charities.
Carl brings a wealth of experience in governance having initially been Chair of the Finance Committee for Hele's School for seven years followed by then Chairing the Local Governing Board. Carl Chairs the Finance Committee for WeST. Carls' knowledge and experience in governance is complimented with his strategic leadership and financial acumen within the private sector.
Business interests - Director at Millfield (SW) Ltd Plymouth
Date of appointment - 12 September 2017
Appointed by - Trustees
Zoe Briant-Evans
Zoe Briant-Evans is the vice chair of Westcountry Schools Trust.
Zoe is the mum of two very energetic primary school aged boys. She has a wealth of experience in governance at a variety of different settings including sitting as the Chair of an early years education charity, and holding Chair roles within both the maintained and academy sectors; having chaired a 5 school federation and co-chaired a local board within Westcountry Schools Trust. She has also governed as a trustee of a local Trust Port and Harbour Authority.
Zoe’s background in strategic leadership and management follows a 17-year career as an officer in the Royal Navy. During which time she held a variety of posts including command of her own warship, teaching at post graduate level, and serving on operations in the Middle East. Her final role in the navy saw her responsible for the training and education of future leaders at Britannia Royal Naval College. Following her military career, she has worked as a governance advisor with Devon Education Services, supporting schools across Devon and beyond in all governance matters and delivering training for governors and trustees.
As a trustee, Zoe is passionate about improving the outcomes for all children in our schools, but particularly those with disabilities and less advantaged. In her spare time she enjoys being out on the water and keeping the peace on the family boat.
Business interests: Employee at Devon Education Services
Date of appointment - 1 January 2023
Appointed by - Members
Andrew Flay
Andrew has served as a School Governor for more than 10 years, including roles as Vice Chair at Boringdon Primary School and Chair at Yealmpton Primary School. He has been a Trustee of WeST since 2017, and after serving on the Finance Committee, he became Chair in 2024. Two of his four children continue their education at Ivybridge Community College and Yealmpton Primary School, both part of the WeST family.
With over 30 years of experience in finance, Andrew currently holds the position of Head of Specialist Financial Operations at the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (DEFRA). He utilises his financial management expertise to assist the Trust Board and Finance Committee in making strategic decisions that benefit all schools within the Trust.
An engaged and active Trust Board member, Andrew frequently participates in Teaching (T) visits to schools and takes part in disciplinary hearings when needed. Andrew has extensive experience in managing high-profile meetings, effectively handling structured agendas, and driving solutions.
Business interests - None
Date of appointment - 4 October 2017
Appointed by - Trustees
Hannah Woodhouse
Hannah Woodhouse is the Director of Children's Services at Bristol City Council, a role she took on in February 2024. Born in Bristol and raised in the South West, she now lives in Monmouthshire, South Wales, with her family.
Career Highlights
With over 20 years of public service experience, Hannah has held key roles in education and children's services:
- Department for Education, London Challenge, and New Zealand Ministry of Education.
- Deputy Director, 14-19 Funding and Targets Policy, DfE.
- Service Director, Strategy and Commissioning, Cambridgeshire County Council.
- Managing Director, Central South Wales School Improvement Service.
- Regional Schools Commissioner (later Regional Director) for the South-West.
Regional Leadership
As Regional Schools Commissioner and later Regional Director, Hannah oversaw schools, trusts, social care, SEND, and area-based programmes, focusing on improving outcomes for children and families in the South-West.
Current Role
As Director of Children's Services, Hannah leads education and children's social care for Bristol City Council. Her responsibilities include services for vulnerable children, fostering, adoption, early help, and educational support. Her extensive experience positions her to drive improvements in safety, well-being, and education for children and young people in Bristol.
Date of appointment - 23 September 2024
Business interests - None
Appointed by - Trustees
Iain Grafton MBE
Iain retired as Detective Superintendent in the Police Force after completing thirty years' service. He is now the director of a company providing leadership and governance training and support services to schools, colleges and local academies.
Iain brings an extensive experience, developed over twenty years as a governor in educational institutions, at both primary and secondary levels. Iain brings a detailed understanding of the responsibilities of governance at both school and multi academy trust levels, and he is accredited by the Department for Education as a National Leader of Governance.
Business interests - Managing Director Foveo Consultancy Ltd
Date of appointment - 1 September 2011
Declared - Family member employed at a WeST school
Appointed by - Members
Lyn Davis
Date of appointment - 19 June 2024
Appointed by - Members
Sally Timmins
Sally is an auditor and serving National Leader of Governance, who has experience of governance covering over 15 years.
She is a trustee as Torquay Girls Grammar School in Torquay, and a Member of Ivy Education in Teignmouth.
She has worked with the DfE and ESFA to deliver training to schools around the country, and undertakes external reviews elsewhere, bringing that experience of primary and secondary education to add to our board’s skill base.
Sally is passionate about governance and committed to supporting all schools to raise standards.
Business interests
- NGA National leader of governance (consultant)
- Employee at Bishop Fleming
- Trustee at Torquay girls grammar school until 31 Aug 23.
Date of appointment - 27 March 2023
Appointed by - Members