The members of our Board of Trustees are all volunteers from a variety of different backgrounds. They have ultimate responsibility for governing and setting the strategic direction of the charity, for ensuring that its resources are managed responsibly, for acting in its best interests and for ensuring that Novalis Trust is managed in accordance with its governing documents and relevant legal requirements. Day-to-day operational decisions are delegated to the Chief Executive who is supported by the Senior Management Team.
Liz Buckland
Liz joined the Board in 2021. She works part-time as a lecturer at the University of Westminster and has a background in health and education.
Daniel Walton
Daniel joined the Board in 2022. Dan works as a Deputy Head Teacher in South Gloucestershire. Daniel has a background in Education with over 20 years teaching experience. Daniel stopped working for the Trust a few years ago and therefore has a good background knowledge of the Trust and the work we undertake.
Daniel uses this knowledge to help support senior management in the area of education at the Trust. He acts as the chair of Cotswold Chine School.
Maureen Smith
Maureen joined the Board in 2023. Maureen has a background in education and previously worked at Cotswold Chine School as our Head Teacher in 2014. Maureen currently works on a self employed basis as an Independent Educational Consultant. She acts as the chair of William Morris School.
Martin Stern
Martin joined the Board in 2024. He has an extensive background in teaching, counselling, and child and adolescent psychotherapy. Having worked in a variety of settings, including Bath and Gloucestershire CAMHS, Martin worked with Novalis Trust on a part-time consultancy basis for 18 years. During this time, he has provided individual therapy and family work sessions for children at both Cotswold Chine School and William Morris School and for the adults who live at Paradise House. He has also provided reflective and clinical supervision for Trust staff.
Greg Moss
Greg joined the Board in 2024. He is a former solicitor with 31 years of experience. After working as a family lawyer dealing with all aspects of family matters, he developed a focus on public law children’s matters specialising in cases involving care, supervision and secure accommodation orders. Greg’s final decade as a solicitor was dedicated exclusively to working in this field, frequently acting on behalf of the child who was the subject of the proceedings. His deep understanding of the family, social and mental health issues underpinning the need for specialist care makes him a valuable addition to the Board.
Join our board of trustees
We’re always interested in hearing from people with relevant skills and experience who are interested in joining our Board of Trustees and playing a valuable role in guiding and overseeing Novalis Trust’s activities over the years ahead.
For further information please contact our Company Secretary (marcus.rowland@novalis-trust.org.uk) who will be happy to put you in touch with one of our existing Trustees for an initial informal discussion.