Trustees

Springboard Opportunity Group is guided and supported by a dedicated board of trustees who help ensure the charity continues to thrive for children and families

Our trustees bring a wide range of professional experience — from education and early years to finance, business, community work and safeguarding. Together, they provide strategic oversight, safeguard our values, and make sure we remain financially secure, well‑governed, and focused on delivering the very best support for young children with additional needs.

The board works closely with the Springboard Senior Leadership Team to ensure accountability, strengthen our long‑term vision, and ensure that every decision we make puts children and families at the heart of what we do.

To learn more about the role and responsibilities of charity trustees, visit the Charity Commission website.

If you’re interested in becoming a Trustee for Springboard Opportunity Group, please contact the Chair of Trustees, Jenie Eastman, at info@springboardweb.org.uk or visit this page for current roles and more information – thank you!

Below, you can meet each of our trustees and learn more about the skills, experience, and passion they bring to Springboard.

Jenie Eastman

Chair of Trustees

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Jenie Eastman

Chair of Trustees

Expertise

Early years, play, youth work, governance, & strategic planning.

Background

Jenie has over 30 years of experience in public sector leadership, specialising in education, social care & SEND. Jenie has also worked in the co-operative sector and in a voluntary capacity as school governor and on the management committee of a wide range of children’s charities.

Board responsibilities

Leads Full Board meetings, oversees governance, and supports the CEO. Jenie knows that responsibility for Springboard’s compliance and reputation sits with the role of the Chair, and that the experience and skills of a wide range of trustees is key to success.

Connection to Springboard

Jenie worked with Springboard as North Somerset Council’s link officer for 20 years and, on retirement, joined the charity as a Trustee because she is aware of the importance of Springboard’s work to so many children & families in North Somerset.

Personal note

“I’m passionate about every child being able to develop to be the very best they can be. I want all parents to be supported to be loving and confident, knowing what is right for their child. I work towards an ethos of honesty, trust, quality and care for all Springboard children, parents, staff and volunteers.

I am also a Town Councillor for Portishead; relax through green woodworking with Somerset Bodgers, and as an attempt to keep fit, have started learning to row with the Portishead Pilot Gig Club. All 3 activities are team sports!”

Anthony Keyworth

Trustee (Treasurer and Special Projects)

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Anthony Keyworth

Trustee & Treasurer

Expertise

Anthony brings a high-calibre background in leading complex business transformations and high-performing, cross-functional teams. His expertise is rooted in strong commercial management and financial oversight, ensuring that organisational strategy is paired with sound budgeting and sustainable planning. With a deep understanding of digital technology and product development, Anthony can help organisations navigate technical change and use data effectively.

Background

After serving 13 years as a Royal Naval officer and pilot, Anthony transitioned into senior business leadership roles across the UK and internationally. His career has spanned major global companies, such as PepsiCo, Orange, and EE, where he specialised in managing business operations and large-scale projects. He also led a software startup company through its growth phase and to its ultimate acquisition. This professional journey is underpinned by an MBA with Distinction from Durham University.

Board responsibilities

As Treasurer, Anthony oversees the charity’s financial health and reporting to ensure the organisation remains sustainable and effective. His role also involves providing strategic advisory support to the senior team, particularly in areas of business management, IT infrastructure, and digital development to help the organisation evolve and thrive.

Connection to Springboard

Since joining Springboard, Anthony finds it incredibly grounding and humbling to witness the direct, life-changing impact the staff have on young children and their parents. He believes that if he can contribute his professional experience to support that mission, he is truly happy to do so.

Personal note

I live in Wraxall and, as a recent retiree, I still enjoy keeping an eye on financial markets and anything involving a spreadsheet. However, I am now also exploring my creative side through baking and woodworking, and I am about to start learning watercolour painting.

Diane Scarborough

Trustee (Fundraising)

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Diane Scarborough

Trustee (Link Role – Safeguarding)

Expertise

Early Years Education, SEND, Safeguarding, Fundraising

Background

Diane has over 40 years working in Early Years Education. both in the Local Authority and Voluntary Sector. She has worked as an Early Years Practitioner, SENCO, Trainer and Ofsted Inspector.

Board responsibilities

Ensuring that the board of Trustees work towards and within our Articles of Association. Supporting the staff and volunteers at Springboard.

Connection to Springboard

Diane worked at Springboard for 30 years, initially as a volunteer then became part of the staff team as the Inclusion Manager. After retirement, she joined the joined the Board of Trustees.

Personal note

After working for many years with children under 5 and their families, I want to enable all children to fulfil their potential and help Practitioners to achieve this.

Liz Smith

Trustee (Grants and Health & Safety)

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Liz Smith

Trustees

Expertise

Early Years, SEND, Charity Management and Trust and Foundation grant fundraising.

Background

Liz has over 25 years of experience working at Springboard, as part of the team supporting children and families and more recently in the business team.

Board responsibilities

Attends Full Board and Finance and Resources sub- committee meetings.

Connection to Springboard

Liz joined the board in 2025 on retirement after a 25 year career at the organisation.

Personal note

“Over many years, I have witnessed the positive impact Springboard has had on children and families, and I would like to continue supporting its important work by using my skills and experience.”

Beth Manning

Trustee (Governance)

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Beth Manning

Trustee (Link Role – Governance)

Expertise

Education, SEND, Safeguarding

Background

Beth is an experienced primary teacher with twenty years in the sector. She has held a range of leadership roles – including SENCo – and has specialist knowledge in attachment and adverse childhood experiences. Her passion for working with young people and championing inclusive practice underpins everything she does.

Board responsibilities

Meeting minutes and administration, governance, brings both a parent perspective and professional educational insight to discussions and decision‑making.

Connection to Springboard

Beth joined the board in 2018 after her son attended the Clevedon setting for two years.

Personal note

“As a Springboard parent, I saw first‑hand the skill, warmth and magic the team brings to families at a challenging time. It’s a privilege to give something back.”

Andrea Curran

Trustee (Quality)

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Andrea Curran

Trustee (Link Trustee – Quality)

Expertise

Developing Leadership, Quality Assurance, strategic planning, risk management (in education) and coaching.

Background

Andrea has over 30 years’ experience in public sector leadership, specialising in Education, Leadership and Early Years.

Board responsibilities

Attends board meetings, supports governance and the CEO.

Connection to Springboard

Andrea joined the charity as a Trustee after semi-retiring following two school Headships. As the previous Head of Early Years for North Somerset, Andrea recognised the peerless work Springboard offered to children and families.

Personal note

“It is a privilege to be a Trustee of Springboard Opportunity Group. The immensely positive impact of the work of the charity was made very clear to me in my professional role. This charity believes, with a passion that brooks no denial, that every child is capable,”

Rachel Smith

Trustee

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Rachel Smith

Trustees

Background

Rachel is a Registered Dietitian with over seven years of experience in healthcare, specialising in both paediatric and adult enteral feeding, as well as early years nutrition and women’s health. She also has experience in charity fundraising, having worked with Weston Hospicecare for several years, and is a passionate advocate for her daughter, who has complex medical and special educational needs. In addition, Rachel serves on the patient participant panel for Genomics England.

Rachel’s professional expertise and personal experiences provide her with a broad understanding of the needs and lived experiences of children and families, underpinning her strong commitment to advocacy, inclusion, and meaningful change.

Board responsibilities

Representing the voice of Springboard parents at meetings and events, Rachel brings both a parent perspective and professional healthcare insight to discussions and decision-making. She is committed to championing the interests of families and ensuring their experiences and needs remain central to the organisation’s work.

Connection to Springboard

Rachel joined the Board in 2026 after her daughter attended the Ashcombe setting for three years.

Personal note

“Having experienced first-hand the devastation, confusion, fear, and uncertainty that can come with navigating complex needs, I have also seen the incredible support that Springboard provides to families like mine. It is a true honour to be able to give back and use my advocacy skills to support other families, both now and in the future.”

Helen Burge

Trustee

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Helen Burge

Trustees

Expertise

Helen brings expertise in governance, financial oversight, operational excellence and risk management, alongside specialist knowledge in sustainability and climate action within education.

Background

Helen is an experienced school business leadership professional, working nationally across the education sector as a consultant, mentor, tutor and assessor. She has a strong background in finance, operations, governance and risk management within schools and multi-academy trusts.

Board responsibilities

Serves as Treasurer, supporting oversight of financial sustainability, reporting and internal scrutiny. She works with the Board and senior leaders to ensure strong governance, value for money and effective use of resources.

Connection to Springboard Opportunity Group

Helen joined as a Trustee having previously worked within the education sector locally and recognises the vital role the organisation plays for children and families.

Personal note

She is keen to deepen her understanding of SEND in early years and to contribute to the charity’s work.

Mark Senior

Trustee

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Mark Senior

Trustees

Background

Mark has been working with children and young people with SEND for 30 years across many settings both mainstream and residential. He brings with him a large amount of experience from working with Great Ormond Street Hospital with supporting children with Epilepsy to working with The National Autism Society as an inspector of provision. Mark has been a teacher for the majority of his career working in North Somerset Bristol and Surrey. He is currently the Headteacher at Ravenswood School and also represents SEND at North Somerset Children Safeguarding Partnerships.

Board responsibilities

Safeguarding and Finance

Connection to Springboard Opportunity Group

Mark joined as a Trustee having worked within the education sector locally and recognises the vital role the organisation plays for children and families.

Personal note

He is keen to support in anyway he can to ensure pupils have the best possible start in life.