The Members

Before joining Watts, Blake, Bearne & Co PLC headquartered in Newton Abbot – a public company listed on the Stock Exchange. It was the world’s leading producer of ball clays for the ceramics industries with production operations in 10 countries. I was group managing director of the company from 1985 to 1995 and, following its takeover by SCR Sibelco, a non-executive director and deputy chairman until 2002.

I have been a governor of Coombeshead since 1999 – during difficult as well as good times – hoping to contribute to the raising of aspirations and achievement of the young people of our community. I was a director of TAST from 2011 to 2016.

I am a director or trustee of various organisations including Newton Abbot Community Interest Company, Newton Abbot Community Transport Association, the Stover Canal Trust, the Ball Clay Heritage Society, Manaton PCC, Exeter Cathedral Preservation Trust and Torbay Medical Research Fund. I am also trustee of the charitable trust responsible for developing the gardens and woodlands at Heathercombe, near Manaton, and opening them to the public.

Appointed to the Cabinet Office as advisor and assessor for a quality scheme covering all parts of the public sector. This has included nation-wide visits to the full range of educational establishments, career services and behaviour support units.

He continues to give presentations to and assess universities on their management of customer focussed services. Past chair of governors of a Primary School, Devon Governors and Coombeshead Academy and vice chair of the Templer Academy Trust. At present a governor of Chances, a local authority pupil referral unit and a trustee of charities which support young people involved in the arts.

Comprehensive school. A Conservation Centre in Epping Forest, an FE college in Shrewsbury and several schools in Plymouth. My final post before retirement was at Kingsbridge Community College where I was Director of Science. A highlight included an Award from the Teacher Training Agency for Science Teaching in the South West and the designation of KCC as one of the first Science Colleges.
​
I was resident at the Field Studies Council Slapton Ley Field Centre for 15 years and am a keen environmentalist. I now live in Kingsbridge and continue to volunteer on the Nature Reserve at Slapton and help with Devon Wildlife Watch. I also volunteer for the National Trust at Overbecks. On retirement I worked as a Professional Tutor at Sir John Hunt Community Sports College in Plymouth and am now Vice Chairman of Governors at Whitleigh Primary and Sir John Hunt CSC Federation. I also work as a Visiting Tutor for Exeter University supporting and monitoring science trainee teachers during school-based work.
​
I recently returned to KCC as a science teacher for a term which gave me an overview of day to day life in the ESW Multi Academy Trust. I then spent 2 months in the mountains of Nepal volunteering at a school teaching Science.

and Bristol University (History and Physical Education) I entered the teaching profession. I have worked in education for over 30 years, teaching in schools in Peterborough and North Devon, in a variety of roles. I retired as Headteacher of a large secondary school in August 2020 having held leadership roles in schools for almost thirty years. I am currently Vice Chair of the Exeter Diocesan Board of Education Committee and Chair of the Committee’s Standards and Ethos Group. I am passionate about the right of every child to have access to an education which allows them to flourish in all aspects of life.

My leadership roles within schools, both community and church school, have given me experience of both the OFSTED and SIAMS inspection frameworks and processes, experience of managing large budgets, the challenges of staff recruitment and retention, HR and Health and Safety issues and of course the curriculum, safeguarding and pastoral support, and their centrality to school life. I am passionate about the right of every child to have access to an education which allows them to flourish in all aspects of life and recognise the challenges school staff and leaders face in securing this provision.

Beyond my career in education, I have a lifelong interest in sports, both as a participant and a spectator, and since my retirement have been able to follow my interest in art, by visiting exhibitions and galleries, and trying my hand at painting.

When he moved to Devon he opened his first salon in 1979, which has now expanded to 4 salons. He also started a property development business and has been a Director of a building development company in the South West for over 35 years.

With his interest in Art, Nick became a Trustee and eventually Vice Chair of The Lenkiewicz Foundation, a charity promoting the ideas and work of Artist R.O. Lenkiewicz.

His other business interests include Fine Art sales, property consultancy and property management.

He became a Governor of KCC in 2000, focusing specifically on Safeguarding, Art, Music and as a Responsible Officer (RO). Nick is also a member of the Audit Committee, working on projects including transitioning KCC to become a Trust, an Academy and eventually a Multi Academy Trust.

Nick’s hobbies include Sailing, Skiing and Art collecting.

Nick believes passionately that every child should be given the opportunity, through a broad education and inspirational teaching, to realise and fulfil their ambitions.

I was also a Governor at Lympstone Church of England Primary School from 2006 until August 2015 and was Chair from 2012.  I became Chair of Governors at ECC in September 2017.  Prior to that I chaired the Human Resources committee, the Pay committee and the Principal’s Performance Management committee. I am standing down from the Board in September 2023.

I went to a fairly, large comprehensive school in Newquay in Cornwall and graduated from Southampton University with a degree in Business Economics and Accounting in 1985. I worked for over 20 years in the public sector, primarily for The Post Office, where I was fortunate to have the opportunity to experience a wide range of management roles. Amongst other things, I managed teams of people, was responsible for several million pound budgets, headed up customer service for Post Office Counters Ltd and led a number of major change programmes. I have done a lot of work in recruitment, training and performance management. I also worked in a management consultancy which had contracts with Local Authorities in different parts of the country and for the past 13 years, I have worked with my husband in our own small management consultancy business.