Trustee Directors

Appointed: 16th January 2018. Re-appointed 4th December 2019.  Re-appointed 4th December 2023.  Chair of the Trust Board.  Director with responsibility for Governance.

Having completed a BEd (Hons), Yvonne worked in distribution and logistics management and latterly in change management. Yvonne became a governor when her children started school and became an Additional Skills Governor (ASG) for Surrey County Council, supporting many schools for eighteen years and then became a Local Leader of Governance (LLG) from September 2020 . Yvonne has led and developed governance in challenging circumstances and has helped governance committees to develop a strategic understanding of their role in school improvement which leads to a positive impact on the future life chances for every child. In 2013 Yvonne became a National Leader of Governance (NLG), was reappointed in October 2021 and has used her skills to support schools beyond Surrey. Yvonne continues to share her governance expertise across maintained schools and academies.

Appointed: 12th September 2025.  Vice Chair of the Board as well as Chair of the Finance & Resources committee, member of the People, Appointments and Remuneration committee and member of the Risk & Audit committee.  Director with responsibility for Whistleblowing.

Stewart is a Chartered Director and experienced Board Advisor. His professional focus has centred on corporate governance, risk and compliance, having worked with FTSE 250 companies, private equity-backed firms, and privately held institutions. He currently serves as a Non-Executive Director and as a Trustee of his firm's Pension Scheme.  He also supports the firm’s Audit Committee and Risk & Controls governance structures, offering challenge and assurance on internal controls, risk and client outcomes.

Stewart has a Masters Degree in Management Studies and is s Fellow of the Chartered Management Institute as well as the Chartered Institute for Securities & Investments, a  published author, speaker and DEI champion for accessibility (disability), neurodiversity and social mobility.

Appointed: 12th September 2025.  Chair of the Risk & Audit committee and member of the Finance & Resources committee.

Chris has spent his professional career as an Auditor and Forensic Accountant and is a Senior Advisor with Secretariat in their Global Investigations & Disputes practice in London.  Chris was previously the Partner leading Pinsent Masons LLP's Forensic Accounting Service team in London and a Partner at EY in their Fraud, Investigations & Dispute Services team in London and San Francisco.  Chris began his professional accounting career as an Auditor with Coopers & Lybrand (now PwC) in Toronto and San Francisco.  From 2017 - 2020, Chris was the Treasurer of the Governors’ Fund for St. Paul’s Primary School, Thames Ditton, and took on the role of Local Authority Governor’s role in 2018 as the school's Finance Governor.

Chris has a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science & French, Huron College at the University of Western Ontario, and a Masters of Business Administration, Roman School of Management, University of Toronto and holds a Diploma in Sustainable Finance, University of Cambridge, Institute for Sustainability Leadership.  Chris is a Chartered Accountant with the ICAEW and a Chartered Professional Accountant with CPA, Canada

Appointed: 27th September 2023. Chair of the Education Committee and Safeguarding Trustee.

Claire-Louise brings extensive experience of strategic leadership and school improvement from her recent work as a Regional Education Director for GLF schools, being a Local Leader of Education and from her current role as Director of Growth and Partnerships for Kings Academies.  

Appointed: 23rd May 2025.  Member of the Education Committee and Director with responsibility for Special Educational Needs and Disability (SEND)

Having worked as a teacher and leader in autism-specific schools for the past twenty years, Andy brings a wealth of knowledge and experience related to SEND education.  Currently Andy is Executive Head for Ambitious about Autism Schools Trust and holds an MA in Special and Inclusive Education, from the University of Roehampton and a NPQEL.  In addition to his working role, Andy is Chair of Trustees for Disability Africa, an NGO delivering inclusive play schemes in Sub-Saharan Africa and a visiting lecturer at the University of Roehampton on autism, disability perspectives and inclusive theory.  Andy lives in Surrey and has two primary-aged children.

Appointed: 14th September 2025.  Chair of PARC and member of the Finance & Resources committee and the Risk & Audit committee.  Director with responsibility for Estates Management including Health & Safety.

Dave is a Senior Director leading EMEA Engineering Operations for a Global Organisation.  He holds an MBA and is professionally recognised as a Chartered Manager.  He became a Governor 12 years ago at a school that his children were attending and was Chair of Governors for 6 years.  He has also been a governor in 2 other schools and is a Local Leader of Governance for Surrey County Council.  

Dave has led and improved governance in challenging circumstances and has had a positive impact on the long term outcomes for the children at these schools. He is also a Clinical Research Champion at his local NHS Trust and coaches his sons football team.

Appointed: 1st December 2025.  Member of the Education committee and the People, Appointments & Remuneration Committee.  Director with responsibility for Christian Character.

Jane was born and brought up in Guildford, attending Queen Eleanor's Primary School as a child. She has worked in education for over thirty years.  Starting as a class teacher in Portsmouth, she then returned to her roots in Guildford where she has taught in, and led, both community schools and church schools in the area.  Her headships have included two schools that are now part of GST!

Jane is passionate about church school education and the difference that a Christian vision and a partnership with the local church can make to the flourishing of the children and adults in the school community.   She works for the Diocese of Guildford as the School and Church Partnerships Advisor.

Jane is a member of Burpham Church where she is a member of the PCC and currently the Churchwarden. Jane is a Lay Canon of Guildford Cathedral.

Jane has a B.Ed Hons and an MA in Primary and Early Childhood Studies.  She will complete the Church of England Growing Faith Strategic Leaders Programme in December 2025.

Appointed: 4th September 2026.  Member of the Risk & Audit and Finance & Resources Committees.  Director with responsibility for Digital and AI.

Graham is Director of IT, Digital Transformation and Facilities at Phyllis Tuckwell, where he leads technology, cyber security, digital transformation, estates and facilities.  He has over 30 years' experience in technology and operational leadership across the charity, housing, healthcare and education sectors.  Graham brings particular experience in technology strategy, cyber security, digital transformation, operational resilience and organisational change.  He has a particular interest in the opportunities and risks presented by artificial intelligence, and in helping organisations use technology safely and effectively to support their wider purpose.

Graham lives in Guildford and has been a member of St Saviour's Church for many years, where he is part of the worship team. He is also actively involved in grassroots youth football.

Appointed: 27th October 2026.  Member of the Education Committee and the Risk and Audit Committee.  Director with responsibility for Careers. 

Ian was a Civil Servant for 31 years, including 10 years as a Director in the Department for Education. During that time, Ian had leadership responsibilities across Higher Education, Schools, Children’s Social Care and Skills.  Key achievements included implementing the Higher Education and Research Act 2017, including the creation of the Office for Students, and setting up DfE’s Regions Group, which is responsible for the flagship Regional Improvement for Standards and Excellence (RISE) programme.  Ian now has a portfolio of roles largely within the education sector, including a role as Strategic Adviser at GK Strategy. Ian is married with two children, and lives in Farnham.