A highly experienced educationalist, David's career to date has included headships in both Birmingham and Manchester. In parallel to this, he has held leader and director-level positions for national and regional educational bodies, as well as being an Ofsted inspector. His strong track record of success delivering positive impact at school, system, local, regional and national level, saw him awarded an OBE in the 2019 New Year's Honours List for services to education.
Throughout his career, David has successfully delivered sustained improvement in both pupil and Ofsted outcomes. He also has a keen interest in developing leadership programmes to encourage and nurture highly effective leaders and staff, alongside a values-led approach to driving strategy, where all stakeholders play their part.
Before joining Venturers Trust in 2020, David was the CEO and Executive Principal of Changing Lives in Collaboration Trust, based in Manchester.
Chair of Trustees
Gail Bragg
As Chair of Trustees, Gail provides leadership and direction for the operation and performance of the Trust.
Her background in the private sector includes specialising in operations, change management and financial services. She also brings to the role a considerable amount of experience in the education sector.
Gail has a clear vision for the future of Venturers Trust. She is determined to ensure that the Trust provides every school with the support to offer all children an excellent education and access to life changing opportunities, and that all staff feel valued and equipped to carry out their roles to the highest standard.
Executive Assistant
Alison Febry
Alison started her career in professional administration and secretarial services in the banking industry. She moved to work within the education sector in 1998 developing her knowledge and skills in administration management. She was PA to the Executive Principal of Merchants' Academy Trust and is now Executive Assistant to the Chief Executive Officer of Venturers Trust. Alison has been a participant in the NCTL Clerks' Development Programme to further support her role in Governance at Venturers Trust.
Director of Operations
Tara Phillis
After graduation, Tara's career started in promotion and executive search before moving into regional HR roles. Tara was Head of HR at a large multi academy trust in the south west for ten years before
joining Venturers Trust to lead the central HR team. Tara holds an MSc in HR Management and is a Chartered MCIPD.
Director of Finance
Stephanie Williams
Stephanie leads the Finance team in Venturers Trust. Having graduated from the University of Leicester in Chemistry and German Stephanie then qualified as a Chartered Management Accountant. She has worked as a management accountant in a range of organisations from the National Blood Service to being Head of Finance for AXA Technology Services in Japan and then Head of Finance at AXA Technology Services UK.
Deputy CEO
Trystan Williams
Executive Lead for the Trust and Principal for Venturers' Academy.
Trust Safeguarding Lead
Jennifer Winfield
Jenny joined Venturers Trust as Trust Safeguarding Lead from her role as Early Help Partnership Manager for Bristol. She has extensive experience in working across and with a range of agencies with children and young people at risk and their families from social services, CAMHS, DWP and adult mental health services and was a member of the Bristol Safeguarding Children Board. With 64 schools included within her scope of responsibility her role included primary, secondary and special together with children's centres, a PRU and a Higher Education College. Jenny's breadth of experience and expertise is key to ensuring safeguarding provision and practices are consistently adhered to at Venturers Trust.
Jenny has considerable experience of working with Governors and staff both leading safeguarding training and policy formulation, review and safeguarding audits as well as advising and managing a diverse portfolio of safeguarding and child protection cases. Jenny is also Chair of Governors at Sea Mills Primary School and Children's Centre.
Director for ICT & Innovation
Paul Farrell
Project Manager (Health & Safety)
Richard Clayton
Project Manager
Shaun Cockrell
Head of Facilities Management
Gary Tilzey
Trust Inclusion Lead
Tracy Jones
Tracy graduated from University of Wales College Gwent with a B.Ed (Hons) and has over 25 years of experience working successfully with a variety of young people and their families with SEND and additional needs within both special and mainstream schools across both primary and secondary phases.
Tracy was Vice Principal at Bannerman Road Community Academy prior to this role. She is passionate about Inclusion and providing the best opportunity for all. She has a deep understanding of what outstanding inclusive practice looks like, and setting up support, systems and procedures to meet the requirements of the SEND code of practice 2014 and to ensure every student is able to achieve their full potential.
Tracy has completed a wide variety of CPD including: NPQSL, mental health and wellbeing, Thrive and most recently becoming a lead practitioner in Attachment and Trauma. She is the chair of Bristolâs Inclusion in Education Group which has oversight of and makes recommendations related to inclusive practice in education across Bristol. She also sits on the SEND Partnership Board and Schools Forum.