Chris Barrett DL – Chair of Trustees Expand Chris has spent his entire professional career working in the Advertising and Marketing sector. His early career was spent in leading international advertising agencies, latterly as a creative director. In 1977 he co-founded his own agency, Barrett Howe, which became a leading UK Business-to-Business and Brand Development Agency. In 2013 he founded Rapport Marketing, a Brand and Marketing Consultancy that advises organisations on the development of Strategic marketing communications, Brand Creation and Development, and Public and Press relations. In 2001 Chris was part of a small group of business people who came together to form the Slough Business Community Partnership and was its Vice Chairman from 2007 - 2012. In 2007 he was appointed a trustee of Berkshire Community Foundation and was elected Chair of Trustees in 2010, a post he held for five years. In 2019 he founded Charity Mentors Berkshire to provide leaders of the voluntary sector in Berkshire with effective mentoring and support to facilitate strategic thinking and skilful leadership. In 2020 he was appointed a trustee of Thames Valley Adventure Playground. In January 2018 he was appointed a Deputy Lieutenant of The Royal County of Berkshire. Chris was appointed Chair of Trustees of Prior’s Court Foundation in September 2018.
Rachel Childs - Safeguarding Trustee Expand Rachel is a former headteacher with experience of working across the primary and secondary phases. Her most recent post in education (2014-2018) was as Head of English for the Medical Tuition Service in West Berkshire, working with children who were out of mainstream provision due to a variety of physical and mental health needs. Since 2011, Rachel has pursued a portfolio career in regulation. She was a non-executive director for the Advertising Standards Authority between 2011 and 2018 (serving as Deputy Chair between 2015 and 2018). She currently works for a number of different regulators, including the Nursing and Midwifery Council, the Architects Registration Board, The Portman Group and Health Education England. Rachel joined the Board of Trustees at Prior’s Court in July 2020.
Buchan Scott Expand Buchan is a qualified solicitor. He started his career working in corporate finance before moving in-house with the FI Group, the business founded by Dame Stephanie Shirley. He then spent 15 years as a partner in a private equity firm with responsibility for legal and compliance and latterly fundraising. Since retiring in 2015, he has been working part time as in house counsel and is a member of his children's school's fundraising and overseas development committees and the United Nations Association Finance Committee. He joined the board of Prior's Court in March 2017.
Dr Charlotte Wilson Expand Charlotte is an Executive Headteacher of a small Multi Academy Trust with three schools in both the primary and secondary phases. All three schools host specialist units for children with special needs. In her role as Headteacher she represents Secondary Heads on the Local Authority Funding Forum and is part of the SEND Strategic Partnership Board. Charlotte is also a serving Ofsted Inspector specialising in both primary and secondary inspections.
Carol Unwin Expand A qualified engineer, Carol has spent her career in IT and Business Process Services. She now pursues a portfolio career, combining voluntary, study, consulting and small business activities. In addition to Prior’s Court she supports students at the University of Bath through their Gold Scholars programme. Carol is interested in how IT and the data it is generating can improve life experience.
Dr Stefan Fafinski JP DL Expand Stefan spent the first 15 years of his career in the IT industry before commencing his legal education, culminating in a PhD in technology law. He is now heavily involved with prison law and public law matters. He is a Past Master of the Worshipful Company of Information Technologists (WCIT) where he chairs its Charitable Trust. Stefan also sits as a Thames Valley Family Magistrate and is a trustee of The Inside Out Trust, supporting the rehabilitation of ex-offenders in Berkshire. Stefan was appointed as a Deputy Lieutenant of the Royal County of Berkshire in 2023. He is a keen amateur pilot and member of West London Aero Club, White Waltham. He enjoys music and most sports.
Debbie Fulton Expand Debbie is a Registered Nurse working within the NHS, with 32 years of experience and a broad range of managerial and leadership positions. She is currently an Executive Director of Nursing in a Mental Health and Community Trust. Debbie is also a specialist advisor for the Care Quality Commission (CQC). Debbie holds a BA from the University of Reading and an MA in Health and Social Care management from University of West London.
Mary Robertson Expand Mary is an experienced HR Director with a particular expertise in employee pay and benefits. She started her career about 30 years ago at Marks & Spencer, and since then has worked for a broad range of organisations. In 2006 Mary set up Reward Matters Ltd. With a team of associates she provides consultancy and interim management support to a range of clients. In late 2021 Mary decreased her commercial commitments to enable her to join our Board of Trustees.
Colin Hayfield Expand Colin Hayfield is a chartered accountant and a director of Keen & Toms Holdings Limited, the Hypnos bed group. He acts as treasurer to a number of charities, including the Pace Centre in Aylesbury. Colin is a governor of three schools: High March School in Beaconsfield, where he has been chairman since 2011; Orley Farm School in Harrow, where he was chairman for fifteen years until 2022; and Licensed Victuallers’ School in Ascot.