BET SLT
Bay Education Trust Senior Leadership Team – Academies


Stephen Kings
Chief Executive Officer

Derwyn Williams
Head of School at Paignton Academy
Derwyn Williams was appointed Principal of Paignton Academy in September 2021. Derwyn has worked in education since 1997 having taught in a large number of schools in London. and several outstanding schools. He was previously Deputy Headteacher of The King’s School in Ottery St Mary. Having completed his NPQH and a MA in Education Management, Derwyn is firmly committed to the Trust’s 2-22 vision and in providing an outstanding education for all of our students at Paignton Academy.

Jessica Humphrey
Executive Headteacher at Kings Ash and Curledge Street Academies
Bay Education Trust Senior Leadership Team – Operational


Lisa Finn
Chief Finance Officer
Lisa Finn was appointed to Chief Finance Officer for the Trust in April 2017, and is the Deputy CEO. Her background is working in Education Finance and Corporate Finance in local government for the last twenty years. She has worked in a number of London boroughs and more recently in Devon and Torbay.

Paul Garside
Human Resources Manager

Claire Blagdon
Chief Operations Officer
Claire Blagdon was appointed as Chief Operations Officer in May 2018. Claire was employed by Torbay Council before moving to Paignton Academy. Claire has been with the Academy for fifteen years in various roles including Out of Hours Co-ordinator. Her risk assessments are used as model of best practice for Devon and Torbay.