Meet the Trustees

Vaughan Collier (Chair) Contact at chair@heartsacademy.uk 

Vaughan was born and educated in Essex until he was 13 when his family moved to Hertfordshire. He gained the Certificate of Education from London University and the BA Open University then a Masters in Educational Research from Anglia Ruskin University.  He was admitted as a Fellow of the Chartered College of Teaching in March 2020.

Vaughan taught for 8 years in Stevenage and then as Deputy Head of a new primary school in Rushden, Northants. His first headship was in Havering and then he secured a second headship in Billericay, Essex. He was a member of the Billericay Community Trust and Head of a consistently outstanding school until his retirement from full time employment. He continues, on a part time basis, to be involved in Initial Teacher Training as a Primary Course Tutor and a lecturer on Inclusion / SEND. 

Vaughan is an assessor for the Chartered Teacher Programme. 

Vaughan is a Foundation Governor at Briscoe Primary School and Nursery and an active member of St Gabriel’s Church, Pitsea. 

Debbie Rogan OBE

Debbie Rogan, HEARTS Academy Trust CEO and Executive headteacher of two of our schools was awarded an OBE by the Queen in her 90th birthday honours’ list. This was for her services to Education over a 30 year career. She has led the Trust firstly as head of its founding school, The Wickford C of E School (A National Support School) through the growth to over 1000 pupils across 6 schools, two Alternative provision settings and a Teaching School. 

The HEARTS Academy trust was one of the first Multi Academy Trusts in the country to have both Church of England and community schools in its MAT. Debbie has been a National Leader of Education since 2008 and is a system leader through her work as an OFSTED inspector, SIAMS Church of England schools’ inspector and a Pupil Premium reviewer. She has been an elected member of the Eastern Region and North East London Regional School Commissioner’s Academy headteacher Board since 2014.

Aubrecia Nel

Aubrecia is a senior management consultant with a specialisation in Information and Technology consulting across industry sectors, including Public sector (Policing, Transport and Immigration and Citizenship) and Private sector (Financial Services, Telecommunications, Utilities, Nuclear Energy, Oil, Automotive and Airlines). Prior to moving into consulting, Aubrecia held Head of Department and Senior management roles in industry leading strategic change through technology programme delivery. Her early career was in software engineering, technology and information design and project management. She has experience working in Australia, South Africa and the UK and has awareness of global and strategic influences as well as the pragmatic, detailed operational aspects of technology, change management, quality and risk management, and governance.

In addition to qualifications in Information Technology and Business Management, Aubrecia has studied psychology and counselling to support people in achieving mental and emotional health and healing from trauma.

Sharon Wilson

After training and working in Primary education for 6 years, Sharon has worked in Alternative Provision for the majority of her career.

She was Headteacher of the Children’s Support Service in South and West Essex for 15 years, which was judged outstanding by Ofsted. CSS is a Pupil Referral unit and Alternative provision for young people aged 5-16 who have been excluded from school, at risk of exclusion, or have medical, social or mental health issues.

Since retiring from this post in 2015, Sharon has worked as an educational consultant and an Ofsted Inspector with speciality for special schools and AP. Sharon is also a trained Counsellor.

She is a volunteer at St. Luke’s Hospice and was a member of the Independent Executive Board for Oxford Hospital School, while it was in special measures until it was judged outstanding.

For many years Sharon was a member of the National Association for PRUs and AP, being President for two years..

In 2015 Sharon was awarded a Pearson Lifetime Achievement Award.

Becky Welton

Becky brings with her a wealth of experience from the world of Business and Education.  Most recently working for a Multi Academy Trust where she was responsible for all aspects of Finance and Operations.

Becky has an eye for detail and a specialism in process rationalisation, cost improvement, project management and technical accounting.

An ambitious, driven senior leader with a drive and passion for improving pupil outcomes.  A qualified Chartered Accountant with experience of influencing change across finance, risk, health and safety and governance.

In 2015 Becky was awarded Union Prize in recognition of her volunteering efforts.

Jennifer Gould

Jennifer is an established strategic leader who has worked across various local authorities in Essex and currently holds an executive leadership role in the west of the County. A well-respected and knowledgeable professional who has amassed experience across a breadth of local authority service delivery, health and well-being including mental health first aid, governance and risk, strategy and performance management.

Jennifer has a keen interest in safeguarding and trauma-informed practice and is an accredited Peer Reviewer for the Local Government Association.

Jennifer has a proven track record of robust governance, scrutinising performance and acting as a critical friend to drive continuous improvement.