The Improvement Board

Chair of the Improvement Board

Appointed by: The Trust

Term Dates: 01.09.22 - 01.01.25

Attendance 2023-24: 5/6

Registered Interests: Joint owner of Ditchen Farm, Chair of Parnall Group, Trelonk Ltd, Parnall Aircraft Company, Riverford Organic Trust, Plymouth Waterfront Partnership, St Petroc’s School Trust, SA Certification, HRC College and Shebbear College and Director of Talklight Ltd and TWSW Ltd. Trustee of Theatre Royal Plymouth, PML, PMF and Karst. Chair of Governors of UTC Plymouth, Millbay Academy & High Street Primary and Stoke Damerel Primary School. Fellow of IMA, RSA, IET, BCS and CMI. Member of IoD and RI. Spouse is a Quality Manager for Cornwall Adult Education

Eur Ing Nick Buckland OBE is the Chair of Governors for several Reach South Academy Trust schools. Originally a mathematician he spent many years in the IT industry working on high performance computers, the early years of virtual reality and the internet. From the mid 1990’s he has had a portfolio career as a Chair and director of organisations in the private, public and voluntary sectors. He has been a strong advocate of STEAM and its importance for the UK economy and is passionate about ensuring young people are given the opportunities to gain a good education that will ensure they can take up exciting and well paid jobs and careers. He was appointed OBE for services to Innovation and Technology in the 2009 New Year Honours List and is a Chartered Engineer, Information Technology Practitioner and Manager. He is a Fellow of a number of professional bodies.

 Chairman of the Trust Board

Appointed by: The Trust

Term Dates: 05.06.23 - 01.09.24

Attendance 2023-24: 4/6

Registered Interests: tbc

Marcus has significant corporate governance experience in the private and public sectors. He was previously Chairman of PA Consulting, Barclays, BAA and Lazards in London. He was the first Senior Independent Director on the Executive Board of The BBC and was the Chairman of the British Bankers Association. He was also Chairman of the Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

Marcus is the Chairman of Reach South Academy Trust, and also the Chairman of Exbury Gardens. He is a member of the Science Museum Advisory Board

Headteacher

Appointed : Ex-Officio by virtue of position as Headteacher

Term Dates: 05.06.23 - 01.09,25

Attendance 2023-24: 6/6

Registered Interests: tbc

Director of People, Reach South Academy Trust

Appointed by: Trust Board

Term Dates: 05.06.23 - 01.09.25

Attendance 2023-24: 0/6

Registered Interests: Daughter is a Trust Resourcing Co-ordinator 

Olivia is a Chartered Member of the Institute of Personnel Development as well as a trained Mediator and Coach. She has two Postgraduate Diplomas in HR and Management and a Master of Business Administration (MBA). She has 28 years’ experience working in HR and Business across the public sector of which 17 years has been in senior leadership roles which have involved the establishment of several organisations.

Parent Governor of former Avanti Hall Governance Committee

Appointed by: Trust Board

Term Dates: 05.06.23 - 01.09.25

Attendance 2023-24: 6/6

Registered Interests: tbc

Head of Inclusion and Deputy Director of Education, Reach South Academy Trust

Appointed by: Trust Board

Term Dates: 05.06.23 - 01.09.25

Attendance 2023-24: 4/6

Registered Interests: tbc

Polly is a member of the Executive Team and is also a STORM trainer and delivers suicide prevention and safety planning across the Trust.

Polly brings extensive expertise in employer engagement, apprenticeships and vocational education in KS4 and KS5 and is also a trained SENCo and has extensive experience of Safeguarding.

Trustee

Appointed by: Trust Board

Term Dates: 05.06.23 - 01.01.25

Attendance 2023-24: tbc/6

Registered Interests: tbc

Jairaj (JJ) Thakkar is a highly experienced global executive with more than 20 years’ experience in human capital management and organisational transformation at major multinationals across the world. He is currently Global Human Resources Director for TE Connectivity, where is he responsible for developing and delivering HR solutions to the Group's workforce. Previously, JJ held various international senior leadership positions at GE, Rolls-Royce plc., Equinor, Merrill Lynch/Bank of America and Aon based in the Americas, Europe and Asia.

JJ brings a deep understanding and experience in all aspects of human capital management and strategic consulting. With a distinct focus on leading large-scale complex change, JJ’s areas of expertise include developing top talent, succession planning for critical roles, and helping organisations thrive in dynamic conditions.

He currently serves as a lay member of the Council of Durham University and is a Fellow of The Royal Society for the encouragement of Arts, Manufactures and Commerce (RSA).

Deputy CEO, Reach South Academy Trust

Appointed by: Trust Board

Term Dates: 05.06.23 - 01.09.25

Attendance 2023-24: tbc/6

Registered Interests: tbc