Meet our Trustees

William Wyldbore-Smith - Patron of Uplands Enterprise Trust

My name is William, I am the Patron of Uplands Enterprise Trust and a member and board chairman of Brunel Academies Trust & Brunel Education Board Trustee. A retired partner as of 2013 of Thrings LLP Solicitors and a High Sheriff of Wiltshire 2013-2014.

I am a Trustee of various charitable organisations including the Wiltshire Community Foundation, Marlborough College Foundation to which he retired in 2019 for both, Plum Layton Charitable Trust, Westcountry Rivers Trust, and Maud Health Trust to name a few.

In 2019, I was also appointed as Vice Lord Lieutenant of Wiltshire.

Jackie Fieldwick MBE - Principal Trustee

I am an experienced education leader with more than 40 years’ experience across mainstream and special education, working with and supporting Children and Young People with SEND. I started my career as an equine therapist before moving into education.

I am the Principal Trustee and founder of Uplands Enterprise Trust (UET), a charity founded in 2012, dedicated to supporting young adults with SEND to develop life skills, confidence and work-related experience as they transition from education into adulthood.

I also founded Brunel Academies Trust in 2016, which has since grown to include a specialist nursery, three mainstream primary schools and five special schools, and its subsidiary, Brunel Education, founded in 2018, which operates a Specialist Post-16 Institution, an Independent Special School, an Independent Alternative Provision, and a Respite Service.

My extensive experience in education and specialist provision has strengthened my commitment to ensuring that young people with SEND have the right support and opportunities not only throughout their education, but as they move into adult life.

As Principal Trustee of UET, I work closely with the Board of Trustees to ensure that young adults with SEND have meaningful opportunities, appropriate support and positive pathways beyond education. We are committed to helping young people develop their independence, build on their strengths and skills, and participate fully in their communities – helping young people to help themselves.

Derek Dinsey - Trustee

My name is Derek. I have been involved with UET since the start, as my son was a pupil at Uplands school in 2012.  It is great to be able to give something back to the community and to be able to help those who struggle to help themselves; it is fantastic to see the progress the Trust has achieved over the last 10+ years.

I started my career 40 years ago as a telephone engineer at BT and have worked for Virgin Media, Orange Communications and finished my career as a senior manager at Vodafone. As a trustee, I use my skills and experience gained in business to help contribute to decision making for the benefit of our people.

Sue Dinsey - Trustee

My name is Sue and I’m spending my retirement trying to see as much of the world as possible. When home, I like to spend time in my garden growing flowers, fruit and vegetables (and weeds!).  I also enjoy cooking, reading and crocheting things for my grandchildren. I've no idea how I used to find time to work.

I have been involved with UET for a number of years and have watched the service evolve, as it provides much needed opportunities for young people and adults, like my son, to blossom.

Alan Stone - Trustee

My name is Alan, I was was born in the UK and spent most of my childhood at school in Tanganyika, returning to the UK in 1961. My early engineering career was in London and Cirencester before setting up my own Consulting Engineering Practice in Swindon in 1988. I am a Chartered Engineer and a Fellow of the Institution of Structural Engineers; and I am also a member of the Rotary Club of Swindon.

I am now retired, I used to be a Governor of Uplands School from 1998 and Chair of Governors from 2010 until 2012. In 2012, I was one of the “start-up” Trustees of UET. I retired as a Governor of Uplands & Churchward in October 2021 and became a Trustee of UET in early 2022.

Chris Sims - Trustee

Chair of Brunel Education Board of Trustees, Trustee of Brunel Academy Trust. Chair of Melksham House LGC, Member of Connex LGC. Trustee of Uplands Enterprise Trust, Former Trustee of Swindon Carers Centre, Former Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Kennet and Avon Canal Trust. Retired Operations and IT specialist having held senior positions at Gartmore Investment Management and Ignis Asset Management.

Jeff Smith - Trustee

My name is Jeff Smith. I have a 30 year old son with Severe Learning Difficulties who attended Brimble Hill Special School, Uplands Special School and Horizons College who now attends the Bespoke course at Uplands Enterprise Trust. I was a full time carer for twenty years dealing with all aspects of my son’s well-being, gaining considerable experience in dealing with every support agency and service provider that has supported my son. I have been a Trustee of the UET since its inception in 2012. I was also a Governor at Brimble Hill Special School for twenty years being Chair for four. On a personal level I am now retired after working for BT for 44 years in IT & Systems. In my spare time I am a keen road cyclist and enjoy drinking red wine, but not necessarily at the same time.

Why UET? Having been through the difficult and stressful process of transitioning my son from Children’s to Adult Services, that continues to be an unacceptable cliff, UET provides much needed and deserved opportunities to young people with severe and complex needs. Being part of the UET organisation gives me the chance to work with a highly motivated and dedicated team that helps our young people develop in the way they want to. UET is also keen to have a more instrumental input in supporting parents and carers to get the best outcomes for their young people.   

Phil Helme - Trustee

I am currently the Chief Finance and Operations Officer at Brunel Academies Trust. I live just outside Liverpool and commute to Swindon.  Having started a career as a mechanical engineer in the 1980’s, I retrained as a secondary school teacher, I was a senior leader for 16 years.  I moved from teaching to supporting schools with their resource management and I am a DfE accredited lead School Resource Management Advisor (SRMA).  In my role as trustee, I enjoy sharing my knowledge and experiences and am always looking to learn something new. 

In my spare time I enjoy most sports but have a passion for Rugby League travelling across the world to watch it. I avidly follow Leigh Leopards rugby club.