Bath & Wells Diocesan Academies Trust (BWMAT) seeks two Trustees to further strengthen oversight, stewardship and accountability across a diverse family of 45+ schools.
Bath & Wells Diocesan Multi Academy Trust is recruiting two new Trustees to join its Board: one with a strong finance background and one with professional expertise in audit and risk. With more than 45 Church and non‑Church schools across the South West, BWMAT is a large, inclusive and values‑driven trust committed to ensuring every child experiences “life in all its fullness.”
These roles offer the opportunity to shape strategic direction, strengthen governance, and support the CEO and senior leaders in delivering excellent education across diverse communities. Whether your background is in financial management, audit, compliance, risk oversight or assurance, this is a chance to use your professional skills to make a meaningful difference to thousands of children.
Who we are
Bath & Wells Multi Academy Trust is a family of over 45 schools serving rural, coastal and urban communities across Somerset and the wider South West. Rooted in the Christian vision of John 10:10, “That they may have life, life in all its fullness”, the Trust is proudly inclusive, welcoming both Church and non‑Church schools and placing children at the heart of every decision.
The Trust Board provides strategic leadership, clarity of vision and robust governance. Trustees work closely with the CEO and senior leaders across education, finance, operations and HR, ensuring the Trust remains financially sustainable, educationally ambitious and grounded in its values.
About the role
BWMAT is seeking two Trustees who will strengthen the Board’s collective expertise in financial oversight, audit, compliance and risk management.
Finance Trustee
The Trustee with a background in finance will help oversee the Trust’s financial performance, ensuring public funds are used wisely, transparently and in direct support of children’s education. You will scrutinise budgets, forecasts and management accounts, support value‑for‑money decisions, and contribute to long‑term financial planning and risk mitigation. Your insight will help ensure the Trust remains solvent, sustainable and able to invest confidently in its priorities.
You will bring:
- Experience in finance, accounting, investment, commercial management or financial governance
- Ability to analyse complex financial information and ask constructive, probing questions
- Understanding of financial controls, compliance and value‑for‑money principles
- Confidence contributing to strategic financial planning and oversight
Audit & Risk Trustee
The Trustee with an audit and risk background and experience will help to provide rigorous oversight of internal controls, compliance and risk management. You will review risk registers, audit reports and assurance processes, ensuring the Trust operates safely, legally and effectively. Working closely with auditors and senior leaders, you will help strengthen governance, safeguard public funds and ensure risks are understood, monitored and mitigated.
You will bring:
- Experience in audit (internal or external), risk management, compliance or regulatory oversight
- Ability to interpret audit findings, identify gaps and strengthen assurance systems
- Understanding of risk frameworks, statutory requirements and governance expectations
- Confidence chairing or contributing to audit/risk discussions at Board level
For both roles, we’d like to hear from candidates with:
- Alignment with the Nolan Principles and the Trust’s Christian ethos
- Professional expertise, strategic thinking and a commitment to public service
- Strong communication skills and the ability to work collaboratively
- Analytical thinking, professional curiosity and objective judgement
- Digital literacy and comfort with hybrid/remote meetings
- A commitment to fairness, inclusion and keeping children at the centre of decision‑making
Experience in education is welcome but not essential.
Time commitment
- Approximately 12 meetings per year (Board + committee), typically 3–4 hours each
- Reading papers, preparing questions and reviewing reports
- Occasional school visits, training sessions and stakeholder meetings
- Taking a lead portfolio linked to either Resources (Finance) or Audit & Risk
- Optional involvement in temporary support for Local Governing Committees
Meetings are a mix of in‑person (daytime) and online (evenings), with flexibility around other commitments.
To view the role description and person specification, please go to the ‘How to Apply’ tab above, fill in your details and download the candidate pack.
For further information or to arrange a confidential discussion, please contact our advising consultants at Peridot Partners:
Phil Gifford | philg@peridotpartners.co.uk | 07904 814273
Eddie Caviezel Cox | eddiec@peridotpartners.co.uk | 07951 920768
About Bath & Wells Diocesan Academies Trust
Bath & Wells Diocesan Academies Trust is a large, inclusive and values‑driven organisation serving more than 45 Church and non‑Church schools across Somerset and neighbouring counties. Our schools reflect the diversity of the region; rural, coastal and urban and each brings its own strengths, character and community identity.
We are committed to ensuring every child receives an excellent education and experiences “life in all its fullness.” Our Christian distinctiveness shapes our ethos, but we welcome Trustees from all backgrounds who share our commitment to fairness, integrity and the flourishing of children.
The Trust Board provides strategic leadership, ensuring clarity of vision, strong governance and effective oversight of educational, financial and operational performance. Trustees work closely with the CEO and senior leaders to monitor outcomes, manage risk, set budgets and ensure compliance with ESFA, charity law and statutory requirements.
We invest heavily in training, development and governance support, ensuring Trustees feel confident, informed and able to contribute meaningfully. With continued growth, a strong central team and a clear strategic vision, this is an exciting time to join BWMAT and help shape the next chapter of our development.
Thank you for your interest in this role. Please download the Role Description and Person Specification and Application Form.
To formally apply, please submit the above application form to response@peridotpartners.co.uk, inserting “Application: Bath & Wells Diocesan Academies Trust—Trustee” into the subject field. You will receive an acknowledgement of receipt within 2-3 days. If you do not receive an acknowledgement, please contact our admin team.
For further information or to arrange a confidential discussion, please contact our advising consultants at Peridot Partners:
Phil Gifford | philg@peridotpartners.co.uk | 07904 814273
Eddie Caviezel Cox | eddiec@peridotpartners.co.uk | 07951 920768
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Timetable
Closing date: 9 a.m. Monday 26th October 2026
Candidates informed of outcome: by COB Friday 30th October
Bath & Wells Diocesan Academies Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. All appointments are subject to appropriate pre-employment checks, including an enhanced DBS check.
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