Trustees (ID 1007)

• Sean Mackney
  Chair of Board
  Sean Mackney

  Dr Sean Mackney is an experienced education leader, bringing over 20 years' senior leadership across schools, colleges, universities, funders, and national agencies. As Chair of The Harbour Schools Partnership, he draws on considerable expertise in systems leadership, organisational transformation, and inclusive, place-based education. Formerly Principal of Petroc College and Pro Vice-Chancellor at Buckinghamshire New University, Sean has a track record in leading innovation, driving improvement, and championing social mobility. A visible advocate for equity and community partnerships, he combines strategic vision with a commitment to empowering learners, staff and communities to thrive across the South West.

• Caroline Thomas
  Trustee (EDEN)
  Caroline Thomas

  As a seasoned Chartered Accountant, Caroline’s experience as both a forensic accountant and internal auditor make her ideally suited to help ensure effective oversight and monitoring of the Trust's financial activities and internal controls. Caroline’s small accountancy practice also offers tailored solutions to her clients across a variety of financial tasks, which keeps her up to date with the realities of day to day commercial financial operations.

  Caroline is also a keen musician, and both playing music with other local musicians and teaching the next generation of oboists is a hugely important part of her week. Alongside this, Caroline volunteers with a small charity that offers financial support to students pursuing music and the arts, reflecting her deep belief in the transformative power of education and the importance of providing opportunities for young people to thrive, regardless of their financial background.

• Chris Rice
  Trustee
  Chris Rice

• David Edwards
  Trustee (EDEN)
  David Edwards

  David's career in education started by teaching primary aged pupils in a regional school for blind and partially sighted children. After nine years he returned to mainstream education and quickly become a deputy and then headteacher in rural and urban settings. The last ten years of his career were spent as one of Her Majesty’s Inspectors, working for Ofsted. He will support The Harbour Schools Partnership by supporting the senior trust leaders in monitoring pupil outcomes, leadership and management (including governance), teaching learning and assessment, safeguarding, behaviour and pupils’ well-being.

• Gary Chown
  CEO (ex-officio Trustee)
  Gary Chown

  Gary is one of the most experienced trust leaders in the southwest, having been a Trust CEO for the last 14 years. Gary is committed to partnership working and system leadership; he has worked across the South-West of England as an Education Advisor for the Department of Education and also as an OFSTED inspector. Gary works in a range of partnerships beyond the Trust, locally, regionally and nationally. He has extensive school leadership experience and a strong, proven track record of leading school improvement.

• Johnathon Hayward
  Trustee
  Johnathon Hayward

• Sharon Blyth
  Trustee
  Sharon Blyth