Trustees and Directors
Matthew Dixon, Chair of Trustees
A Chartered Global Management Accountant by profession. Matt is an experienced finance professional and is currently Head of Finance for a large Telecommunications organisation. He has experience across a number of industries and has a passion for developing high performing teams. He is looking forward to putting these skills and experience to good use, to help enable young people to reach their potential.
Antony Purser, Trustee (Vice Chair of Trustees and Chair of the Finance, Risk and Audit Committee)
Commissioned Army Officer. Extensive experience in Leadership, Management and Strategic planning. Two years’ experience as a Governor. Understanding of the conversion process to an Academy as a Governor. Breadth of skills and experience within Risk Management and Resource Planning.
Mark Edwards, Trustee
A Fellow of the Royal Society of Chemistry, Mark is now Head of Packaging for a large corporation, with extensive knowledge of procurement and technical development globally. He has over 18 years’ experience of school governance at both primary and secondary level. A former councillor within Swindon, he has many links with the community including scouts and several other charitable organisations.
Catherine Dampney, Trustee (Chair of Education Performance and Standards Committee)
Catherine has over 20 years' experience in data and technology in both the Financial sector and NHS. Over her career she has been involved in the development of regional and national data and digital transformation programmes for the NHS as a CIO and Director of IT. Catherine is also a founding member of the National Digital Health CIO Network, and current Member of the National CIO Advisory Panel and sits on the Health Data Research workstream of The Elizabeth Blackwell Institute at the University of Bristol. Catherine started her career as a Primary School Teacher with an interest in using technology in the classroom and her current role focuses on reducing health inequalities.
Rebecca Fish, Trustee
Rebecca’s career background is within Public Sector Procurement on behalf of various Central Government bodies, this has mainly been in the Facilities and Construction sector however, in recent years branching out into the Energy, Climate and Carbon Net Zero space including several years' experience working on high profile and complex requirements. In her role as Head of Procurement, Rebecca oversees a team of people taking on a large amount of responsibility and associated risks when it comes to managing public money. A large part of Rebecca’s role involves reviewing and inputting into documentation of both Strategic and Commercial importance which is a transferable skill she will bring to the Park Academies Trust in terms of being able to assess, understand and challenge the wider picture and pressing questions to add value and promote continuous improvements.
Kim Wilson, Trustee
Kim Wilson has worked in state education for 20 years, she was the Head of the TDA Training School in their flagship secondary that has over 2500 pupils. She has a significant track record in supporting schools in challenging circumstances with a passion to serve disadvantaged communities and is extremely keen to develop those in the education profession and is an influential leader within the academy sector. Kim has also been an Executive Principal of 6 schools in Sheffield, became a FCCT Teaching fellow, a DfE coach for women in leadership and worked with the British Consulate on opening new schools as part of a visit to China in 2019. Kim has recently sat on the DfE Free School Advisory Panel, Qualification Reform panel for the RSC and undertakes coaching of new and aspiring leaders. Kim has now moved to the South West and has taken on a role as a CEO of an Academy Trust.
Wayne Orr, Trustee
Wayne is a qualified chartered accountant and an experienced COO and CFO, with a long career as a senior executive, building that career in both the private and public sector over the past 18 years. He has experience in the charity and educational sector, recently as COO of the British International School Riyadh, based in Saudi Arabia and currently as the Director of Finance for The Turing Institute. Wayne is particularly passionate about seeing young people succeed, particularly those with a challenging background, and being part of their journey to help them fulfil their potential. He is also Chair of Trustees for Its Okay, a mental health charity for young people in London.
Justin Robbins, Trustee
Justin worked as a communicator in the corporate sector for 20 years before co-founding a communication consultancy in 2015. He now works directly with schools seeking to make a difference to education through communication. He supported the roll-out of the National School Breakfast Program from 2018 to 2020 and has co-authored two books aimed at helping schools to communicate effectively with key audiences. Justin was awarded Fellowship of the Institute of Internal Communications as recognition for his contribution to the profession in 2017. He served on the Local Advisory Board for Lydiard Park Academy for six years, the last two as Chair. He is also a level 3 British Triathlon coach and is passionate about working with both people and organisations to help them to achieve their goals by unlocking the power of communication.
Mike Taylor, Trustee
Mike leads the UK Space Agency's strategy and planning function and is based at the Agency's HQ in Swindon. He has broad experience of policy and operational roles across the Civil Service including in the Ministry of Defence, Cabinet Office and Foreign & Commonwealth Office. In the Home Office he established WeProtect, a global coalition of governments, NGOs and technology firms, to prevent crimes against children online. At the Space Agency he has been responsible for writing the National Space Strategy and supporting the first space launches from the UK.
Nick Capstick, Trustee
A renowned education leader, Nick has been a driving force in the UK's educational landscape. Serving as CEO of The White Horse Federation from 2012 to 2023 and holding the position of National Leader of Education since 2012, his impact on educational standards is undeniable. Recognised for his contributions, he received the OBE in the 2015 Queen's Honours List. His leadership extended to roles such as Interim CEO of the ATOM Trust (2017-2019) and trustee positions in influential organisations like Avanti Schools Trust and UK Youth Charity. From 2015 to 2018, Nick played a pivotal role on the Board of the Department for Education's Executive Investment Board, SSIF Fund. His commitment to professional development was evident in leading the "Executive Educators Course" at Ambitions Institute during the same period.