Bob was elected to the Chair of Trustees and Director of the former Gippeswyk Community Educational Trust (GCET) in July, 2019 having served as a Director and Trustee since the Trust was formed.  He is now the elected Chair of Trustees and Director of the Oxlip Learning Partnership’s (OLP)Trust Board. He also Chairs the Trust’s Finance, Audit & Risk Committee and is also a member of the Education & Standards, and Human Resources / Health & Safety Committees.

He is also the Lead Trustee for Safeguarding across the Trust and has a particular interest in driving forward Equality, Diversity and Inclusion.

Bob became a Community Governor on the Copleston High School, Local Governing Body in March 2013 and resigned in September, 2019 to become Chair of the Rose Hill Primary School Local Governing Body until July 2022. During his service as a Governor at Copleston he chaired the Education and Standards Committee and amongst other responsibilities he monitored Equality and GDPR on behalf of the GCE Trust.

Bob is a retired Police Superintendent having served 27 years with the Suffolk Constabulary.

Following a 2-year Home Office secondment as a Director of Studies at The Police Staff College, Hampshire, he returned to Suffolk to become the Head of Career Development and then the Force Training Officer, responsible for all aspects of police training. On retirement, he completed a Master’s Degree at Leicester University before becoming a Management Development Consultant.  Bob has worked with a wide range of public sector organisations including Fire Services, Ambulance Trusts, Police, Local Authorities and The Prison Service.  He also spent six years working on Department for International Development (DFiD) projects in India (Senior Leadership Development - Indian Police Service), Bosnia (Community Policing) and Turkey (Child Protection).

 He is an avid birdwatcher and enjoys photography and travel.

Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Oxlip Learning Partnership.

He has been a senior leader in 3 large secondary schools. He was the Principal at Copleston High School for 10 years, having previously been the Headteacher of another Suffolk High School.

Mishal completed her education in Law from King's College University London and is currently a Solicitor at Attwells Solicitors LLP. Her work at Attwells covers a wide range of Corporate and Commercial Property matters. Her previous seats included Residential Property and Private Client.

She also participates as a mentor in the firm's mentorship programme aimed at helping solicitor apprentices develop their careers.

Prior to this, her legal background included working for organisations such as Citibank, Hogan Lovells, Suffolk County Council and local high street firms.

Mishal enjoys helping to support and make a difference to the future of young people and their education.

Andrew has recently retired from Headship following 34 years in schools; 14 years of those as a Secondary Headteacher and, prior to that, working as a Special Needs Teacher in mainstream and in special schools.

Andrew is currently working as a School Improvement Executive for a Multi-Academy Trust in Norfolk and is a consultant for Curriculum and Leadership.

Outside his professional life, Andrew has 3 grown-up sons who he and his wife visit as much as possible and take the opportunity to make the most of being outside in the countryside in Suffolk; walking, swimming and fishing.

Donald was appointed as a Trustee on the 18 September 2024. He is a member of the Education & Standards Committee and the Finance, Audit & Risk Committee.  As a Trustee, Donald also has a specific responsibility for Special Educational Needs and Disability (SEND) and Vulnerable Groups.

Donald became a community governor for Copleston High School in 2016.  During his time as a Governor, he held the role of Vice Chair of Governors for one year and Chair of Governors for three years.  Donald also chaired the Education & Standards Committee and was a member of the Finance & HR Committee.

Donald retired from BT after 40 years working for the company.  Donald had a very successful career holding a wide range of senior management positions in sales and marketing and BT’s wholesale business.  On retiring from BT, Donald worked in the Social Care Sector for 8 years' managing a number of services across Suffolk looking after adults with complex health and educational needs.

Donald holds a Batchelor of Arts Degree and a Master’s Degree in Business Administration focussing on business strategy, obtained through the Open University.

Donald is keen on travelling and photography and is a committee member of the local camera club.

Val is a Trustee and Vice-Chair of the Oxlip Learning Partnership.

She was previously a Governor of Copleston High School.

She is a member of both the Finance Committee and the HR and H&S Committee.

Val is committed to ensuring that all pupils have an equal opportunity to achieve their best in their time at school.

Val enjoys exploring the countryside of Suffolk in her spare time.

Phil is a trustee and chair of Oxlip’s Education and Standards committee. He was previously a trustee of the John Milton Academy Trust and chair of its Learning and Performance committee, a Further Education College Governor and a Director of Gateway Qualifications.

Born into a North Suffolk farming family, Phil studied at Essex University as a mature student. He then worked in Further Education, originally teaching Business Studies and retiring as Vice Principal for Curriculum and Quality at West Suffolk College in 2013. He also worked for the Open University as a Social Sciences Tutor and Examiner from 1984 to 2014.

Phil has 2 children and 2 grandchildren. He is actively involved in the local politics of his hometown of 38 years, Diss. He and his family are all season ticket holders at Norwich City FC and share a love of the outdoors and live music.

‘It has always been, and still is, a privilege to work in Education doing my utmost to help everyone achieve their ambitions and full potential’.

Coming from a family with strong ties to education, Martin is a seasoned ex-Banker with 40 years' experience in supporting SME businesses, academies and multi-national corporations. Having studied for appropriate professional qualifications, he developed his career to Director level with a focus on hard work, personal development, collaboration and coaching of others to achieve their goals. 

Father of 4 boys, he has previously served 8 years as a governor for Gusford Junior School in Ipswich and other voluntary roles for New Anglia Local Enterprise Partnership where he focused on investments to maximise skills enhancement and business growth.

His strong financial acumen and determination to ensure funds are maximised for the benefit of the students makes him a key member of the Finance, Audit & Risk Committee, providing support, rigour and oversight to the Trust’s excellent finance team.

Outline of the Remit and Responsibilities of the Committee
To contribute to the Academy Trust Development Plan.  Monitor and evaluate the impact of quality of teaching on rates of progress and standards of achievement in each Trust school.  Monitor the attainment and progress of pupils and ensure that the requirements of children with special needs are met.  Review and approve policies delegated to the committee by the Trust Board.

Committee:
Phil Thirkettle - Chair
Shaun Common
Donald Jinks
Andrew Fell
Robert Wade
Martin Williams

Outline of the Remit and Responsibilities of the Committee
Ensure risks are being adequately identified and managed, with regular risk reviews and a programme of work to address or mitigate those risks.  Review the Trust’s system of internal financial control and risk management.  Oversee the Trust’s relations with the external auditor and ensure appropriate cooperation and coordination of the work of the external auditor and Accounting Officer.  Oversee the financial controls and risks of the Trust and its constituent academies.  Make recommendations regarding areas of expenditure to be adopted each year in line with improvement plans and priorities.

Committee:
Mishal Fawad
Donald Jinks
Val Lamond-Mattocks
Robert Wade
Martin Williams

Outline of the Remit and Responsibilities of the Committee
Provide guidance to the Trust Board and CEO on all matters relating to HR issues and make recommendations to the Trust Board regarding the staffing structure.  Ensure the constituent academies are sufficiently and appropriately staffed to fulfil the Trust development plan.  Establish and oversee the operation of the appraisal policy, including arrangements for the performance management of the CEO.  Approve changes to employee terms and conditions.

Establish and monitor an estate management policy (Building Development Plan) and plan and make recommendations to the Trust Board regarding premises related expenditure.  Review premises related funding bids and ensure that an annual inspection of the premises and grounds takes place and a report received identifying any issues.  Receive reports and information from the Local Advisory Boards and use this information to set out priorities for maintenance and development.

Committee:
Andrew Fell - Chair
Mishal Fawad
Val Lamond-Mattocks
Alan Ridealgh
Phil Thirkettle
Robert Wade