Senior Leadership Team

The Group Executive Board (GEB) is responsible for the day to day running of Shaw Trust.

Chris joined the Trust after a distinguished career in the armed forces. He brings lived experience, expertise and clear sense of purpose, along with a deep understanding of the human condition. Prior to joining Shaw Trust Chris was CEO of the Defence Academy of the UK and the Commandant of the Joint Services Command and Staff College, with responsibility for the education of the future commanders and staff officers of all the armed services from the UK and many countries around the world.

Jacqui joined Ixion Holdings in 2014 where she is currently Managing Director Learning and Skills for Shaw Trust. She is a highly experienced and strategic leader within the Learning and Skills sector with significant experience in the contribution to and development of policy and growth across apprenticeships, traineeships and wider skills and learning sectors including higher level qualifications. Jacqui is a highly experienced Ofsted nominee having led and managed 21 inspections and led Ixion, as their nominee, to achieve their Overall Outstanding Grade I inspection result in 2017.

Mark joined Careers Development Group in 2008 leading their Human Resources function. Mark now leads the Group HR, Organisational Development and Resources functions at Shaw Trust.

Richard is responsible for growth of new business across Shaw Trust and leads the business development, partnerships and research and development teams. He has over 20 years experience of business development within both charitable and commercial sectors.

Mike is an experienced Finance Director with 15 years of FTSE 100 experience who has supported chief executives in delivering strategic objectives for FTSE 100 companies, divisions, SMEs, start-ups and charitable organisations.

Austin joined Shaw Trust in in 2012 from Remploy and now leads Shaw Trust’s Charitable and Enterprise activities. Austin’s primary background has been spent in Social Enterprise, National Employment Programmes and Local Economic Development. Austin also has responsibility across Shaw Trust for our Health and Wellbeing activity which includes our Community Health and Wellbeing services, the development of our national IPS programme and our Wellbeing Practitioner activity.

Alison has more than 25 years' experience of delivering supportive and innovative services for children and young people to enable them to make successful transitions into adulthood. Alison’s experience gained from providing frontline services has led her to develop person-centred, holistic approaches to service delivery. On secondment, Alison previously served to Gloucestershire County Council as the Interim Director of Children’s Services.

Former prison governor Victoria Blakeman, joined Prospects as Director of Offender Management in June 2013. She previously advised the UK Government and UN on counter-terrorism measures in the rehabilitation of offenders. Victoria served as the Head of UK Corrections and Detentions in Afghanistan and was involved in the construction of and restructure of management at Lashkar Gar prison.

Brenda joined Prospects in 1997 in the early days, and has had a number of operational and corporate roles during that time, becoming a main Board member in 2015. She has extensive experience of managing large employability contracts and providing careers advice for adults and in-work progression.  As Operational Managing Director, Brenda leads the Employability Directorate with contracts across the UK including Work & Health Programme and National Careers Service.

Vanessa has extensive government and commercial experience in education and media industries as an advisor to the Department for Education in the development of the academies programme. With a substantive career in marketing in the communication industry including BT and Vodafone she led on commercial partnerships at Endemol Shine, one of the UK's largest media producers, before joining independent educational charity Edge, as Marketing Director. Vanessa was previously a Shaw Trust trustee and is a trustee of The Galileo Foundation and Director of Edspace, the co-working space for education start-ups.

Jo joined the Trust in 2015 from Ofsted where she worked as the Regional Director for the North West, and National Director for Initial Teacher Education. Prior to that, Jo held several secondary headships; was a National Leader of Education; led a National Support School, and Teaching School. Jo has also worked extensively in education strategy locally and nationally.

Andrew joined Prospects in April 2015. He has supplied services and solutions to the education industry for over 30 years, at commercial organisations demanding significant company growth and high profit expectations. Previously chair of several of the main trade associations representing companies supplying commercial services to education, Andrew is also a Trustee of the largest multi-academy chain in the country.

Andrew joined Prospects in 2005 setting up the events business before leading the sales and marketing division. Andrew was appointed Integration Director for Shaw Trust following the merger in December 2017 where he is responsible for bringing the four organisations closer together.

Alona joined Prospects in 2007 working in the events team before working in the corporate marketing and communications team. Seconded to the Employee Voice representative body, Alona as chair represents the interests of her colleagues across Shaw Trust.