Paul Lavis, Acting CEO
Paul is the Acting Chief Executive Officer of the trust, bringing more than three decades of educational leadership spanning primary, middle, and secondary phases across Sussex, Dorset, and Somerset. A former headteacher of 16 years and previous Director of Education, he has a proven record of leading meaningful school improvement—transforming school cultures, strengthening curriculum and inclusion, and securing strong, lasting inspection outcomes across diverse settings. Paul’s vision centres on the trust as an empowering ecosystem where shared infrastructure enables individual schools to flourish. Underpinned by a clear strategic framework and a leadership philosophy grounded in psychological safety, collaboration, and high expectations, he is dedicated to creating the conditions where staff thrive and every young person succeeds.
Georgina Spirrell, Chief Financial & Operations Officer
Georgina joined SAST in 2024 and leads our shared services including finance, HR, IT, Estates and Health and Safety.