Carl Atkinson is the chair of Westcountry Schools Trust and a Member. 

Carl is a practising holistic independent financial planner and has operated since 1988. He is Director of a limited company providing financial advice to private and corporate clientele together with Trusts and Charities. 

Carl brings a wealth of experience in governance having initially been Chair of the Finance Committee for Hele's School for seven years followed by then Chairing the Local Governing Board. Carl Chairs the Finance Committee for WeST. Carls' knowledge and experience in governance is complimented with his strategic leadership and financial acumen within the private sector.

Appointed by - Members

Appointed from - 23 September 2024 

David retired from HSBC Bank plc in 2014 after a career of over 40 years in banking. He has worked in locations throughout Devon and Cornwall and in his final role was a Relationship Manager based in the Commercial Centre in Plymouth. His responsibilities included the management of a portfolio of businesses with an annual sales turnover of up to £30 million. 

David first joined the Governing Body of Ivybridge Community College and then became a founding member of the Ivybridge Academy Trust. Following the growth of the Trust into WeST he stepped down from the board but has remained a member. 

David is a director of Plymouth Energy Community Renewables Ltd and Ernesettle Community Solar Limited both part of Plymouth Energy Community a charity aiming to alleviate energy poverty and provide community benefit in the Plymouth area.

Appointed by - Original (signatory) Members

Appointed from - 1 November 2011

Appointed by - Members 

Appointed from - 10 September 2018 

Michael Saltern has previously served in the WeST local tier of Governance and as a Trustee. 

Michael served as a Higher Executive Officer in the MOD and has now retired from the Civil Service. He was previously a District Councillor for 18 years and held major portfolios on the Council’s Executive. Michael is currently chair of the Overview and Scrutiny Panel. Michael has been a Director and Chair within the DCH Group. He is currently an advisor to the Police and Crime Commissioner. 

Michael brings a wealth of strategic leadership and governance experience from the public and private sector.

Appointed by - Members

Date of appointment - 3 January 2023

Carl Atkinson is the chair of Westcountry Schools Trust.  

Carl is a practising holistic independent financial planner and has operated since 1988. Carl retired as a Director of a limited company in July 2025, having provided financial advice to private and corporate clients, as well as to Trusts and Charities.

Carl brings a wealth of experience in governance having initially been Chair of the Finance Committee for Hele's School for seven years followed by then Chairing the Local Governing Board. Carl Chairs the Finance Committee for WeST. Carls' knowledge and experience in governance is complimented with his strategic leadership and financial acumen within the private sector.

Business interests - None 

Date of appointment - 12 September 2017

Declared - Family member employed at a WeST school

Appointed by - Members

Zoe Briant-Evans is the vice chair of Westcountry Schools Trust. 

Zoe is the mum of two very energetic primary school aged boys. She has a wealth of experience in governance at a variety of different settings including sitting as the Chair of an early years education charity, and holding Chair roles within both the maintained and academy sectors; having chaired a 5 school federation and co-chaired a local board within Westcountry Schools Trust. She has also governed as a trustee of a local Trust Port and Harbour Authority.

Zoe’s background in strategic leadership and management follows a 17-year career as an officer in the Royal Navy. During which time she held a variety of posts including command of her own warship, teaching at post graduate level, and serving on operations in the Middle East. Her final role in the navy saw her responsible for the training and education of future leaders at Britannia Royal Naval College. Following her military career, she has worked as a governance advisor with Devon Education Services, supporting schools across Devon and beyond in all governance matters and delivering training for governors and trustees.

As a trustee, Zoe is passionate about improving the outcomes for all children in our schools, but particularly those with disabilities and less advantaged. In her spare time she enjoys being out on the water and keeping the peace on the family boat.

Business interests: Employee at Devon Education Services

Date of appointment - 1 January 2023

Appointed by - Members

Iain retired as Detective Superintendent in the Police Force after completing thirty years' service. He is now the director of a company providing leadership and governance training and support services to schools, colleges and local academies.

Iain brings an extensive experience, developed over twenty years as a governor in educational institutions, at both primary and secondary levels. Iain brings a detailed understanding of the responsibilities of governance at both school and multi academy trust levels, and he is accredited by the Department for Education as a National Leader of Governance.

Business interests - Managing Director Foveo Consultancy Ltd

Date of appointment - 1 September 2011

Declared - Family member employed at a WeST school

Appointed by - Members

Recently retired, Isobel has spent the past forty-four years working in education. After graduating from London University in 1981, she began her career as an English teacher in Inner London—an experience that shaped her educational philosophy and fostered a lifelong commitment to inclusion, SEND provision, and the vital role of extra-curricular opportunities.

She later taught and held leadership positions in schools across Outer London, Hertfordshire, and Plymouth. Having grown up in Cornwall, Isobel was especially proud to be appointed headteacher of a large 11 - 18 secondary school with an Area Resource Base (ARB) in South East Cornwall in 2003. Over fourteen years in post, she remained dedicated to “improving the life chances of all children in her care” (Ofsted, 2014). Strong partnerships with local primary schools were central to her leadership, culminating in the establishment of a Multi Academy Trust comprising several local primary and secondary schools.

In recent years, Isobel has worked as a leadership coach and mentor for senior leaders across a range of primary and secondary schools in Devon. She has also served as a School Improvement Partner for an Alternative Provision School, supporting senior leaders and trustees to provide vulnerable young people with vital second chances.

Previously, Isobel was a local governor at a primary school in Hertfordshire. She now looks forward to building on that experience in her new role at WeST, working alongside her fellow trustees and the executive leadership team to continue making a difference in education.

Date of appointment - 29 September 2025 

Declared - Family member employed at a WeST school

Appointed by - Members

Sally is an auditor and serving National Leader of Governance, who has experience of governance covering over 15 years.

She has worked with the DfE and ESFA to deliver training to schools around the country, and undertakes external reviews elsewhere, bringing that experience of primary and secondary education to add to our board’s skill base.

Sally is passionate about governance and committed to supporting all schools to raise standards.

Business interests: 

• NGA National leader of governance (consultant)
• Employee at Bishop Fleming
• Trustee at Torquay girls grammar school until 31 Aug 23.

Date of appointment - 27 March 2023

Appointed by - Members

As a Chartered IT Professional (CITP), Richard offers twenty years of experience in enterprise security architecture and technology. This expertise is crucial for ensuring the Trust’s digital resilience and compliance.

His professional background includes significant experience in strategic risk management and compliance, successfully governing solutions against high-level standards such as ISO27001, NIST, NCSC, and Cyber Essentials. Having operated in highly regulated sectors, including Defence and Government, he can efficiently set appropriate risk appetite and tolerance for the Trust.

Richard is currently a Security Solution Consultant for a major technology company, where he operates as a full portfolio expert in Network Security, Cloud, and Security Operations. His earlier roles included specialised expertise in Data Security Protection, Zero Trust Network Architecture, and Security Architecture leadership.

Richard is a former student of Ivybridge Community College and has strong ties to the WeST community. His long-standing connection to Ivybridge gives him valuable insight into the educational landscape and the opportunities and challenges within the Trust.

Richard is committed to ensuring that schools across WeST have the resources and understanding needed to help every child succeed.

Date of Appointment - 28 November 2025

Appointed by - Members 

Term of Office - 4 years

Adam is a Partner at Westcotts Chartered Accountants & Business Advisors, where he works with businesses teams across the South West on all aspects of finance, accounting, and tax.  Adam also advises on governance, strategy, risk management, and performance improvement. He has extensive experience in audit, assurance, and advisory work, and brings strong financial and commercial insight to the Trust Board, alongside a practical focus on translating plans into measurable outcomes.

Adam has a particular interest in digital transformation and the responsible adoption of AI and is keen to support WeST in using technology to improve efficiency, decision-making and – most importantly – outcomes for pupils and staff.

A parent of four school-age children, all of whom are currently in (or will, during their education, attend) a WeST school, Adam is deeply invested in the Trust’s continued success. Having previously served as a Trustee, he is delighted to rejoin the Board and to support WeST in the next chapter of its development.

Business interests – Senior Partner, Westcotts Chartered Accountants & Business Advisors

Date of appointment – 2 Feb 2026

Appointed by Members

Tim is a RIBA Chartered Architect and Director of Threshold Architects with over 20 years of experience in design and sustainability. Having attended Ivybridge Community College, he has a deep-rooted connection to the Trust as both a former student and current parent.

Educated at the University of Cambridge and Cardiff University, Tim’s professional career includes delivering award-winning educational projects at firms such as Foster + Partners and Nicholas Hare Architects. As a qualified Passivhaus designer, he is focused on how sustainable, high-quality environments can enhance the learning experience while supporting strategic oversight of the Trust’s estate and long-term sustainability goals.

Tim also teaches professional standards at the University of Plymouth. His background as a former parish councillor and member of the Southwest Design Review Panel informs his approach to robust governance and community-led development. In his spare time, Tim is a keen cyclist and coaches junior rugby.

Date of appointment – 3 Feb 2026

Appointed by Members

Declared – Family member employed at a WeST school