Our Trustees
Ashley Daniells – Chair of Trustees
Ash was born and raised in Bristol and has a real connection to the city. He is currently a Legal Director at Kennedys, working in the Professional Liability team. He was introduced to Ablaze after volunteering in our Career Mentoring programme. Ash’s work with us saw him ultimately win Mentor of the Year at the UK Social Mobility Awards. Ash is heavily involved in Diversity and Inclusion initiatives, most notably in relation to Social Mobility and LGBT+. Having attended a school that benefits from Ablaze, Ash is perfectly placed to help make a difference.
Ash became a Trustee of Ablaze in April 2019, stepping up as Chair in July 2024 and is excited to help make real change across the South-West.
Will Crameri
Will relocated to Bristol after graduating with a Masters in Law and a BSc in Business Management from Cardiff University. In his current role as Portfolio Manager and Analyst in the finance industry, he recognises the importance of mentoring young people early in their careers to help them achieve their full potential. Will has engaged in workshops in the Ablaze Employment & Skills Programme, encouraging young people to discover their interests and to provide them with a better understanding of the work environment, witnessing them gain confidence and key skills. He has also supervised work placements as individuals transition from the Ablaze programme to the workplace.
Will enjoys supporting professional development of young talents and has served Ablaze’ Board of Trustees since May 2023 with the aim of giving back to his community. Will is a Certified Banker and an Associate Member of the Institute of Directors (IoD).
Martin Jones
Born and raised in North Bristol, Martin has always had a very strong affinity with the city. In his current role as Head of Legal at the Unite Group PLC he is exposed to the challenges of working in a FTSE 100 business on a daily basis. Due to the nature of Unite’s work, he is often in contact with counterparties in the Higher Education sector giving him a close-up view of the issues facing education in the United Kingdom. Martin started his career with leading law firm Burges Salmon LLP before moving in-house and has been working with Unite for the past 8 and a half years.
Outside of his main role at Unite, Martin has been a governor at a leading independent school in Bristol since 2019. He has also been a volunteer with Ablaze at one of our reading programmes since early 2023, bringing a real “volunteers viewpoint” in his role on the board.
Shawnett Morgan
Shawnett was born and raised in Bristol and after a time studying and living in London, has now moved back to her home city. She has been a qualified primary school teacher for 21 years and feels fortunate to have worked in a wide range of settings in the Independent and State sector, including; Early Years/ Foundation Stage, Middle school, Secondary and Alternative provision (PRU). Shawnett is now doing a Masters degree in child development to continue her work with children and families..
Shawnett’s experience as a participant of the first Stepping Up programme, commissioned by Marvin Rees, Mayor of Bristol In 2018, wetted her appetite for becoming a Board member. Shawnett is delighted to be appointed as an Ablaze trustee, as she is looking forward to using her teaching experience to help local children to realise their potential.
Richard Stokes
Richard has significant experience in Diversity and Inclusion and is currently studying for a PG Cert in Promoting Equality and Managing Diversity. Richard has significant experience of working in Diversity and Inclusion: he has worked for Avon Fire & Rescue service as a Culture and Inclusion Manager; as a Diversity Adviser for the Environment Agency; and a Diversity Officer on the Race for Opportunity Campaign. Richard also spent five years in the Grenadier Guards, taking part in operational and ceremonial duties.
Richard took part in the Stepping Up programme run by Bristol City Council, which aims to unlock potential and develop talent while ensuring a fair representation of BAME, disabled people and women in positions of leadership. Richard joined Ablaze as a Trustee in April 2021 and is excited to help local children fulfil their potential.
Julia Thomas
Julia lives in South Bristol, she is originally from South Wales but has lived in Bristol for the past 22 years. She brings a wealth of knowledge to her role as a trustee, gained from various general management and leadership roles, as well as functional HR competence, from her broad, generalist HR background.
Julia has spent the majority of her working life in Financial Services in the Banking sector, undertaking a wide variety of roles in the branch network, centres of excellence and central functions – her most recent role was Senior HR Business Partner to the Retail Chief Operating Officer. She has also undertaken a number of volunteer and trustee roles in the charity and third sectors in South Wales and Bristol, and has done some volunteering work internationally. Julia now has her own HR Consultancy.
Julia joined Ablaze as a Trustee in April 2021 and is excited to bring her skills and knowledge to this exceptional organisation.
Simon Wilks
Simon arrived in Bristol to work in 1987 following a degree course in Computer Science and continues to work in the IT Sector as a Business Development Director. 30 years later Bristol is definitely in his DNA enjoying all the city offers and is regularly involved in community development activities. Simon is passionate about the development of young people and has been a school Governor at both Hotwells Primary and Cotham schools.
As a keen sports enthusiast Simon has coached youth football for over 10 years.
Simon joined Ablaze as a Trustee in July 2023 and is looking forward to ensuring as many local children as possible meet their full potential.