Joan Dean, Chair Member

Joan Dean has a long career in education. After attending Manchester University Joan started her career as a teacher in Oldham. Joan then became a deputy headteacher in Moss Side Manchester followed by her next role as the headteacher of a large primary school in central Manchester. Joan was appointed to Her Majesty's Inspector of Schools (HMI). In addition to inspecting schools in England - both primary and secondary - Joan led many inspections of British Forces schools in Cyprus and Germany. From Ofsted Joan was seconded to the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister where she pursued her interest in schools in disadvantaged areas. As a result of this work Joan was appointed as a Director at the National College for School Leadership. More recently, Joan established a consultancy supporting local authorities and schools with school improvement strategies and leadership development. She has worked extensively in Manchester schools and has successfully run Manchester's Aspiring Leaders’ programme. Joan is married with one daughter and one granddaughter.

Sir Charles Dunstone, Sponsor Member

Sir Charles founded Carphone Warehouse and later became Chairman of both Dixons Carphone and TalkTalk. He has also devoted his time and money to charity and has been a member of the Prince’s Trust board for 15 years, six of those as Chairman. Charles was knighted in 2012 for his services to charity and the telecoms industry. He has been the Sponsor for the Dunstone Education Trust for 13 years.

Victoria Hornby, Member

Victoria Hornby is the CEO of Mental Health Innovations which was founded by The Royal Foundation of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge in 2017 with its largest ever grant. Victoria also launched Shout 85258, the UK’s first free text messaging support service. Previously, she worked with the CEOs of the Samaritans, Mind and Hospice UK, and with the support of The Royal Foundation of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, on the creation of Our Frontline. This pioneering coalition, launched in April 2020, brought together services from all four partners, enabling all frontline workers to access 24/7 emotional support by text, phone or online

Tim Morris, Member

Tim is currently Group General Counsel & Company Secretary at TalkTalk Telecom Group Limited, which was on the main list of the London Stock Exchange until March 2021 and where he joined prior to its IPO in 2010. He held similar positions at Carphone Warehouse Group PLC prior to its IPO in 2000 until 2015 during which time it merged with Dixons to create Dixons Carphone PLC. He is also a founding Partner of Freston Ventures Investments LLP, which invests in a number of private businesses including Five Guys Europe, in addition to various indirect private equity and investment funds. Tim is a Solicitor who worked in private practice before 2000, specialising in corporate finance. Tim was Secretary & General Counsel at Dixons Carphone, and Partner at DLA & Partners. Tim Morris joined TalkTalk Telecom Group in 2021. 

Tim Morris is currently Group General Counsel and Company Secretary at TalkTalk Telecom Group and joined the Board of Boohoo as Non-Executive Director in May 2021.