Staff

Committed to ensuring the best learning opportunities for all, Jez has been developing pedagogical innovation for over 20 years. As a SENCo, senior school leader, Headteacher, Inspector and School Improvement Officer, Jez has led on the development of curriculum and assessment change, inclusion and the creative curriculum at local and regional levels. He's passionate about ensuring the system meets the needs of all learners – and will always look for approaches outside of the ‘norm’ that will inspire school communities and learners in a lifelong love of learning. 

He is a husband, the father of two amazing daughters, a committed Christian, a worship leader, and a musician who loves nothing more than to sing and learn new instruments.

He sees being the CEO of DBAT as both an honour and greatly humbling – the opportunity to enable an amazing community of highly professional educators and staff to lead and develop the very best environment and opportunities for learning, in an organisation committed to values and the development of the individual is an incredible privilege.

Piera joined the DBAT team in January 2019 as Clerk to the Main Board and Sub Committees. She has several years’ experience working with governors as a clerk to Academy Schools in Bristol and Gloucester and prior to this worked in a variety of senior administrative roles in the NHS and in Health at the Welsh Assembly Government.

Nicki joined DBAT in September 2019 as a School Improvement Partner. She studied in Scotland, and moved to London to start her teaching career, before relocating to Bristol with her family. Nicki has worked in education for over 25 years. She is an experienced headteacher and is passionate about improving the life chances of all children through high quality teaching, learning and pastoral care.

Jane is a highly experienced Educator with a Master’s degree in Education from Oxford University, and she joined the DBAT team in September 2019. She had previously been a Headteacher for 16 years in Schools in the UK, Thailand, and Oman, and has worked as a Headteacher Support Advisor for Somerset County Council. Her role involves working with Academies to secure high-quality provision with a focus on outstanding progress for all pupils, so that each child can be the best that they can be.

Hannah has extensive HR experience, in both the private and public sector. Hannah joined DBAT in June 2020 after having specialised in HR within the education sector for a number of years. Hannah holds postgraduate qualifications in Human Resources Management and Employment Law and is a Chartered Member of the CIPD (MCPID).

At DBAT, Hannah will deliver strategies that support and develop our fantastic staff team and enable people to thrive. The value of DBAT’s team of people is immeasurable, and is at the heart of everything we do, as we work together to provide the best possible opportunities for the children in our schools.

Vicki joined the DBAT team in January 2020.Vicki has over 10 years experience of working in administrative roles in educational settings which has provided her with extensive knowledge and great organisational skills, she is very passionate about her work. Vicki is an active person and enjoys spending time with family and friends, her free time is usually spent exercising or in coffee shops.

Suzanna joined the DBAT central team in August 2020 with responsibility for further strengthening and resourcing governance across the trust, by supporting Local Boards and Clerks. This follows on from three years of balancing family life whilst Clerking at three DBAT schools. Prior to having children Suzanna worked in HR and Recruitment within the public sector.

Rachel joined DBAT in August 2020. Rachel has worked in both the private and public sectors for the last 5 years in programme planning and management roles. This has spanned efficiency planning on the Aircraft Carrier programme, change management at the UK Defence Academy and, most recently, operational delivery with an Oxford based education company. Before this, she was a logistics officer in the British Army for twenty years, and received an MBE in 2012 for her role in the logistic extraction from Iraq.

Rachel's contribution within DBAT is to ensure that the estate and the facilities within the Trust's schools and settings are the best they can be, so that teaching, learning and pastoral care can be given the greatest possible focus.