Meet our Trustees

Richard Hayden

Chief Executive Officer (CEO)

Richard started his role as CEO on 31 August 2023, after six years with VIAT, most recently fulfilling the roles of Chief Operating Officer and Chief Financial Officer.

Matt Fletcher

Chair of the Trust Board

Matt joined the Trust in 2017 as a Trustee and has been an active member of the Board and various committees ever since. He brings significant international business and commercial experience to the Board with a practical and common sense approach.

Sheila Potipher

Vice Chair of the Trust Board

Sheila is now retired following a successful career in the insurance industry. Sheila started in the City of London with a large insurance company moving to broking a few years later.

Jeanette Batten

Jeanette is a Real Estate and Facilities Management Director with significant experience in the public sector.

Paul Holland

Paul is a Chartered Accountant with nearly 30 years' experience in the public sector.  He is currently a financial audit manager at the National Audit Office.

Catherine Daw

Chair, Pay Committee

Catherine joined Brachers in 1999 and became a Partner in 2003. She now leads the Employment and HR team and has a reputation for providing clear, practical and client focussed advice.

Brendan Roodt

Brendan Roodt is a lawyer with significant experience of academies, actively working since June 2010 on all manner of legal projects arising from the Academies Act 2010.

John Moss

Chair, Standards and School Improvement Committees

John Moss has a first class honours degree in English from the University of Oxford where he also completed his doctorate and a Postgraduate Certificate in Education.

Helen Bonser-Wilton

Helen Bonser-Wilton joined VIAT as a Trustee in 2023 and is the Chief Executive of Leeds Castle Foundation.

John Llewellyn-Lloyd

John Llewellyn-Lloyd joined the Trust Board in March 2024.

Nicola Taylor

Nicola joined VIAT as a Trustee in April 2025. Having successfully completed a number of senior leadership roles across a range of different types of school, Nicola has established a strong and effective portfolio of knowledge and skills.