The Oak Partnership Trust
Trust Board
Paul Spencer (Chair of the Board of Trustees)
NHS Manager
Paul Spencer has held senior leadership roles for over 20 years across the NHS, Voluntary Sector, and Police Service, with a strong focus on patient experience, PALS, public participation, equalities, service improvement, and community engagement. Prior to his public service career, he spent a decade working in the banking sector before pursuing his passion for people-centred services and making a meaningful impact in communities.
Throughout his career, Paul has been dedicated to tackling inequalities and enhancing the experiences of patients and service users. He is deeply committed to driving positive change—both at an individual level through issue resolution and at a systemic level by leveraging qualitative data to inform robust decision-making. Within the NHS, he has led local, regional, and national programmes aimed at fostering effective engagement with patients, communities, and stakeholders.
Paul has collaborated closely with national teams to develop training initiatives, promote best practices in patient-centred care, and elevate the profile of positive patient experience across regions. He is particularly passionate about enabling supported self-management and ensuring that shared decision-making is embedded in every interaction within health and care services.
Based in Taunton, Paul lives with his partner, two adopted children, a French bulldog named Percy, three cats, chickens, and beehives. A qualified psychotherapist, he has called the West Country home for the past ten years, following a decade in Yorkshire and earlier years in Nottinghamshire. He firmly believes the Southwest is the best place to live.
Appointed on: 1 September 2023
Ian Robinson The Oak Partnership CEO
The Oak Partnership CEO
Ian Robinson has worked in education for over thirty years and has held senior leadership positions in schools for more than twenty years, including two headships. He first led a small rural primary school before becoming Headteacher at West Monkton Primary School, one of The Oak Partnership Trust’s founding schools.
Ian has been the Chief Executive Officer of The Oak Partnership Trust since its formation in January 2019. Throughout his career, he has been committed to school improvement, ensuring that schools make the very best use of their resources to provide high-quality education and enable every child to thrive.
A strong advocate for collaboration and partnership working, Ian has always sought opportunities to work alongside colleagues, schools, and wider organisations to improve outcomes for children and young people. This belief in the power of collective endeavour led him to work with like-minded leaders and governors to establish The Oak Partnership Trust.
Alongside his Trust leadership role, Ian has served as an Ofsted Inspector, contributing to primary school inspections across the South West. He is also a Trustee of the Salisbury Diocesan Board of Education, a Trustee of the Horizons Therapeutic Education Trust and has supported several Somerset Council education steering groups. These roles help him maintain a broad perspective on the regional and national educational landscape while remaining firmly grounded in his core values of service, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
Appointed on: 22 November 2018
Tina Emery OBE
Tina Emery OBE is a nationally recognised advocate for children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). With over 30 years of experience in education, social care, and youth work, she has played a pivotal role in shaping SEND policy and practice across England.
Her leadership began with the Somerset Parent Carer Forum in 2014, with her influence expanding nationally through her roles with the National Network of Parent Carer Forums (NNPCF), where she served as Southwest Regional Director and later Co-Chair, representing over 155,000 members. She has collaborated closely with the Department for Education, NHS England, and Ofsted, and contributed to several high-level advisory boards.
In 2023, she was awarded an OBE for her services to children and young people with SEND. Following her term with the NNPCF, Tina continues her impactful work as a consultant, trustee, and chair across various SEND-focused organisations.
Appointed on: 1 September 2024
David Watson (Vice Chair of the Board of Directors)
Consultant
David Watson is an experienced business owner with a background in developing and managing technology-focused companies. His work spans software development, operational strategy, and cybersecurity, with a focus on helping organisations use technology more effectively and securely. He has a practical, hands-on approach and a strong interest in how digital tools can support smarter, more resilient business operations.
Appointed on: 17 March 2021
Keith Ford
Education Professional
Keith Ford has over 25 years’ experience in primary teaching. As a class teacher, middle leader, senior leader, headteacher at both a small rural school and a large primary school, including the Autism Centre.
Across his career he has always supported Initial Teacher Training and Education, so to be leading on ITT and wider training for Somerset Council is a real privilege. Keith has been a governor of various primary and secondary schools alongside his professional roles, giving him an understanding of the strategic importance as well as the accountability of governance.
Being a trustee for The Oak Partnership Trust is a real honour.
Appointed on: 01 January 2025
Alison Wyatt (Chair of Audit and Risk Committee)
Finance Professional
Alison Wyatt is a qualified accountant who began her career in industry before transitioning to the education sector over 30 years ago. For the past 15 years, she has held the role of Chief Finance Officer across all phases of Multi Academy Trusts. She possesses extensive knowledge of governance requirements and is highly familiar with the Academy Trust Handbook.
Alison has worked closely with legal teams on a variety of matters, including academy conversions and transfers. Her experience also spans HR and property-related issues, with a strong focus on compliance. She served as a mentor in the Department for Education’s CFO pilot mentoring scheme, supporting the development of finance professionals in the sector.
In addition to her professional roles, Alison is a Governor at a large secondary school and has participated in Ofsted inspections in this capacity. She also serves on the Pension Board for the Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS) for both the Somerset and Bath and Northeast Somerset schemes. Her interest in pensions stems from her long-standing career in education and her understanding of the significant impact these schemes have on both members and employers.
Appointed on: 1st July 2025
Business, Personal & Pecuniary Interests for all Trustees are detailed in the Declarations of Interest folder under Key Information.
Meetings attended in the previous year by Trustees are detailed in the tables below.
Contact arrangements for the Trust Board are via Carole Buckhurst who is the Trust's Governance Professional: cbuckhurst@oak.education
Meeting minutes and agendas are available by request: please contact the Trust's Governance Professional via cbuckhurst@oak.education