Meet the Trustees
Paul Styles
Trustee (Chair of Trustees, member of the Finance and Investment Committee)
As Chair of the board of trustees for more than seven years Paul Styles has a wide experience of running small and medium size enterprises particularly in the international business arena.
Based in the Cotswolds, Paul has supported various charities for the past 30 years and using his network to raise the profile of the National Star Foundation.
Frances Allcock
Trustee
Organisational development specialist Frances Allcock is a new trustee at National Star. Frances has worked with a number of national organisations helping them to manage change, formulate talent management strategies and introduce new approaches to performance management to increase accountability. She put herself forward to join the board because she has seen first hand the significant difference organisations such as National Star make to the lives of young people with special needs and their families. In her spare time Frances enjoys walking, travelling and pottery.
Peter Barefoot
Trustee
Retired Chartered Surveyor and senior business decision-maker, Peter Barefoot is one of our newest Trustees. He is very community-minded and has volunteered as a governor at an Oxfordshire school, as well as currently serving as a local Parish Councillor. As a former Round Tabler and member of his local Rotary Club Peter understands the role that community fundraising plays in supporting a charity like National Star.
Peter hopes his knowledge of estate and property management will support National Star as it embarks upon its latest development appeal project, Building a Brighter Future.
Liz Cadman
Trustee (Chair of the Risk and Audit Committee)
Liz Cadman joined the National Star board of trustees after a friend had a life-changing accident which made Liz appreciate first-hand the value of the work undertaken by our charity.
She has charitable experience working as Head of Operational Services at the National Trust. This role sees Liz lead a team responsible for membership, fundraising and commercial. Her role also involves owning the business critical IT systems and processes that enable the National Trust to grow in a sustainable way.
Brian Chatfield
Trustee (Finance and Investment Committee member)
Brian Chatfield is one of National Star’s longest serving trustees. He believes that every student, regardless of their background or ability, should be encouraged to reach their potential through education.
That is why he has held various trustee roles in the education sector, while also volunteering as a magistrate and undertaking various senior corporate roles in a multi-national metals and mining corporation.
Tim Cooper
Trustee (Deputy Chair)
Tim Cooper is a National Star trustee and Chief Executive of United Response, a UK charity supporting people with learning disabilities, autism, mental or physical support needs.
Tim, who has been deaf since birth and was educated at a special school began his career in disability services, volunteering in schools for disabled children while travelling in Australia.
During his career, Tim has worked in senior roles across social care, employment and skills and supported housing, as well as advising ministers on disability strategy.
Chris Hallam
Trustee
Chris Hallam is a trustee at National Star. Chris’ 42-year banking career saw him work in Oxford, London and Toronto before putting roots down in Worcestershire 22 years ago. He is experienced in all aspects of banking, business development and general management having led both large and small functional teams across multiple locations.
As well as being a trustee of National Star, Chris is also a Governor of Heart of Worcestershire College and Grimley & Holt CoE Primary School.
Robert Haymon-Collins
Trustee
Robert Haymon-Collins is a retired marketing and communications director with particular experience in digital technology. He believes that education transforms lives and that technology can transform education. Committed to coaching leadership approaches that inspire and motivate individuals and teams to be the best they can be, Robert sees this philosophy in action daily at National Star.
Chas Howes
Trustee (Member of the Finance and Investment Committee and the Risk and Audit Committee)
Chas Howes has worked for a number of multi-national companies and held the role of Chief Finance Officer at Superdry Plc. His commercial and financial acumen has been invaluable to our charity throughout the eight years that he has been a trustee of the National Star Foundation.
Living in Gloucestershire Chas is a proactive ambassador of our work. As well as volunteering with our charity Chas also mentors young businesses and entrepreneurs.
Matt Shayle
Trustee
Matt Shayle is a private wealth solicitor with over 15 years’ experience. Gloucestershire born, Matt cares deeply about inclusion in society and is proud of National Star’s work giving its students the opportunity to fulfil their potential. He is passionate about the trustees’ role ensuring that staff and students have the long-term environment to achieve their goals.
Margaret Sheather
Trustee
Margaret Sheather was a Governor at National Star for more than 10 years, having previously been a member of the Education and Student Welfare Committee. As a former Director of Social Services / Group Director Community & Adult Care at Gloucestershire County Council she has extensive experience to support National Star in achieving its mission and goals. Margaret is also a school governor and when not volunteering is an active member of the Chapter of Gloucester Cathedral.
