NATIONAL STAR - Key Persons
Andrea Lewis has extensive experience supporting young people with disabilities leaving school and making decisions about life choices including college and work. She was Head of Student Services in a large FE college, responsible for providing support to disabled students and lead manager for Equality and Diversity. She managed the RNIB education and employment service in London and the South East and was Policy Director at Skill: National Bureau for Students with Disabilities. She is an advocate for ensuring the voices of young people with disabilities are heard and is link Governor with the National Star Advisory Board.
Job Titles:
- Trustee ( Finance and Investment Committee Member )
Brian believes that every student, regardless of their background or ability, should be encouraged to reach their potential through education.
That is why he has held various trustee roles in the education sector, while also volunteering as a magistrate and undertaking various senior corporate roles.
Job Titles:
- Trustee ( Member of the Finance and Investment Committee )
Chas Howes has worked for a number of multi-national companies and held the role of Chief Finance Officer at Superdry Plc. His commercial and financial acumen has been invaluable to our charity throughout the eight years that he has been a trustee of the National Star Foundation.
Living in Gloucestershire Chas is a proactive ambassador of our work. As well as volunteering with our charity Chas also mentors young businesses and entrepreneurs.
Job Titles:
- Trustee
- Trustee ( Chair of the Finance and Investment Committee )
Chris Hallam is a trustee at National Star. Chris' 42-year banking career saw him work in Oxford, London and Toronto before putting roots down in Worcestershire 22 years ago. He is experienced in all aspects of banking, business development and general management having led both large and small functional teams across multiple locations.
As well as being a trustee of National Star, Chris is also a Governor of Heart of Worcestershire College and Grimley & Holt CoE Primary School.
Chief Executive of Boccia England Chris Ratcliffe is an experienced disabled leader with a successful track record in inspiring and leading teams to deliver outstanding results. A strategic thinker, Chris has held director level posts at a number of leading national disability charities as well as holding the position of Chief Officer at The Children and Young People's Commissioner Scotland (CYPCS).
Chris has been deaf since birth and attended a special school where he believes this experience gave him the necessary skills, self-belief and confidence leading to his achievements to date. Having grown up in nearby Woodmancote, Chris visited National Star as a teenager and was inspired from this experience where he has continued to follow the success of the organisation over the years. Through his experience of working in the disability sector Chris is keen to share the benefit of his knowlwedge to ensure that the organisation continues to enable young disabled people to realise their potential through their experience as students and residents.
As a former sportsman who competed at international level in deaf Rugby, Water Polo and Swimming, Chris now enjoys coaching at his local rugby club.
Claire has over 20 years' experience in finance management, leading the National Star finance team since 2019. She ensures the charity uses its resources efficiently and effectively, as well as supporting overall financial decision-making. Claire is a Chartered Management Accountant and holds a Master's Degree in Business and Management.
Job Titles:
- Director of Funding and Management Information Systems
For over 30 years David has worked in specialist education and long-term living for people with disabilities. David and his teams have close working relationships with families, stakeholders and commissioners. This is to ensure the best interests of students and residents.
Frances brings a wide range of skills to her role as trustee. She has supported many national organisations manage change and improve their staff management processes and procedures.
Job Titles:
- Governor
- Trustee
- Deputy Chair of Governors
Jane Matheson is a Governor and a member of the Risk and Assurance Committee, she has considerable experience of the public sector having worked for local government and at a special school. She worked for the Audit Commission for many years reviewing client performance and improvement. Jane's son was a day student at National Star for four years, leaving in 2019. She knows what it's like to be a carer and navigating complex systems to try and get the best for your young person.
John oversees the operations of long-term living at National Star. He managed the opening of National Star in Wales and introduced Team Teach to help staff support students with behaviours that challenge. John also represents Wales' specialist further education colleges as regional director on the board of Natspec.
Job Titles:
- Director of Learning and Support
Jojo Kingsbury-Elia joined National Star more than a decade ago as a member of the personalised learning team. She has over 20 years' experience of working with young adults in a variety of education setting in the UK and abroad.
Parent Governor Kim Anderson, now living in Gloucestershire, returned to the UK after living overseas for many years so that her daughter could attend National Star as a day student. From Hong Kong she brings experience as a parent plus a background in setting up and running a support network for families of young people with disabilities including supporting Special Employment Needs. As an active member of the Parent Support Forum Kim is looking forward to communicating between the college and other parents.
Kim is known for her creativity and solutions-driven approach. When not supporting her daughter to make the most of her life, and time at National Star, Kim enjoys staying fit, yoga, hiking, reading and travel.
GP Lara Rowlands has a daughter with cerebral palsy, bringing experience as a parent as well as a background of medical experience. She is an active member of the Parent Support Forum and enjoys communicating between the college and other parents.
Lara qualified as a GP before moving to London. She has worked in international research focusing on osteoporosis, women's health and gastroenterology. She now works as a locum GP in the NHS and for Nuffield Health. Outside work, Lara enjoys singing, tennis and running.
Job Titles:
- Trustee ( Chair of the Risk and Audit Committee )
Liz has charitable experience working as Head of Operational Services at the National Trust. She leads a team responsible for membership, fundraising and commercial. Her role also involves owning the business critical IT systems and processes that enable the National Trust to grow in a sustainable way.
Job Titles:
- Governor
- CEO of SAND Academies Trust
Lyn has worked in education for nearly 40 years. Her experience spans teaching and forging bright futures for those in her care. She has held deputy and head teacher roles at special education schools in Gloucestershire, Surrey, and Hounslow.
Lyn is CEO of SAND Academies Trust (of Special Schools) in Gloucestershire. She supports special schools with their leadership and Ofsted training through her role as a School Improvement Partner. Her work also has international reach, having advised on special education in South Africa and Belarus.
In October 2021, she received the Order of the British Empire (OBE) for services to special education.
Lynette was originally a care and support worker and has never lost sight of this. She has moved through the ranks at National Star and gained many qualifications along the way, including an MBA. Lynette was previously Chief Operations Officer before becoming Chief Executive in 2022. She is also Chair of Natspec.
Margaret Goldie worked in the public sector throughout her career, initially within the NHS but primarily within local authorities. As Director of Social Services for West Berkshire Council, a post she held for 13 years, she oversaw services for both adults and children, as well as schools and housing. Margaret now works part-time as a psychodynamic therapist, both in private practice and in the voluntary sector in Swindon.
Margaret Sheather was a Governor at National Star for more than 10 years, having previously been a member of the Education and Student Welfare Committee. As a former Director of Social Services / Group Director Community & Adult Care at Gloucestershire County Council she has extensive experience to support National Star in achieving its mission and goals. Margaret is also a school governor and when not volunteering is an active member of the Chapter of Gloucester Cathedral.
Matt Shayle is a private wealth solicitor with over 15 years' experience. Gloucestershire born, Matt cares deeply about inclusion in society and is proud of National Star's work giving its students the opportunity to fulfil their potential. He is passionate about the trustees' role ensuring that staff and students have the long-term environment to achieve their goals.
Megan joined National Star in 2018 as Head of Community and Work Programmes and appointed Director of Services in 2019. She has experience working with young people with disabilities and learning difficulties in care and educational settings.
Job Titles:
- Chairman of Governors
- Trustee
Nikki Richardson has extensive knowledge of multi-disciplinary working, safeguarding and quality improvement having held Executive roles in the NHS including responsibility for the delivery of services to people with learning disabilities and mental health problems. As a Non Executive, she led on holding the NHS Trust she worked with to account for the quality and safety of their service provision. Now, as Chair of Healthwatch Gloucestershire she has a role in ensuring local people are able to express their views about health and social care locally. She has had a long standing interest in National Star and was keen to be part of the team to further develop much needed services to individuals to help them maximise their opportunities and lead rich and rewarding lives.
Job Titles:
- Trustee ( Chair of Trustees, Member of the Finance and Investment Committee )
Paul Styles has experience of running small and medium size enterprises, particularly in the international business arena.
He has supported various charities and as Chair of Trustees, uses his network to raise the profile of the National Star Foundation.
Former Round Tabler Peter understands the role that community fundraising plays in supporting a charity like ours.
He uses his property industry knowledge to support National Star with capital development projects.
Peter worked in fundraising, finance and management with national charities before joining National Star. He handles the financial, facilities and infrastructure aspects of the charity. Peter holds a Master's Degree in Charity Accounting and Financial Management. Outside work, he's a trustee and finance committee Chair of a local multi-academy trust.
Job Titles:
- Chief People Officer
- Fellow of the CIPD
Rachel Harber is a Fellow of the CIPD with a professional passion for strategy. She loves nothing more than a problem to solve, or a process to improve. Rachel supported National Star as a consultant over many years before taking on the role of Chief People Officer.
Job Titles:
- Governor
- Trustee
- Retired Marketing and Communications Director
Robert Haymon-Collins is a retired marketing and communications director with particular experience in digital technology. He believes that education transforms lives and that technology can transform education. Committed to coaching leadership approaches that inspire and motivate individuals and teams to be the best they can be, Robert sees this philosophy in action daily at National Star.
Job Titles:
- Director of Business Improvement
Simon Bridgnell has worked in the education sector since 1996 focusing on technology services, strategy and leadership. His vision is for National Star to embrace change and use all aspects of technology to benefit students, residents and staff.
Job Titles:
- Chief Operating Officer
- Principal
Simon joined National Star in 2008, working with the Personalised Learning team, becoming Principal in 2019 and Chief Operating Officer in 2022. He's passionate about putting young people at the centre of everything National Star does. He believes multi-disciplinary teams should work to find the right solution for every learner.
Before joining National Star as a trustee, Steve has spent 40 years in the corporate world as the Chief Executive of a Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) regulated business for more than 20 years. Governance, regulation and compliance has been one of Steve's key responsibilities.
Zoe has worked at National Star for more than 20 years joining the charity as a care and support worker. Now as Director of Services Zoe liaises with the Care Quality Commission as she oversees Ullenwood residential services and the Ullenwood day team.