Ross Moon is the eighth generation of his family born in Braunton North Devon and is proud to serve the Foundation that his father Vivian founded in 1988. He was schooled at Heanton Braunton and then Taunton in Somerset. Moving to London working in the city in commodities and shipping from the age of 21 worked abroad. Running offices in Singapore, San Francisco, Kuala Lumpur and Geneva. Returning from many years trading in Switzerland, he started some twenty years ago on his own acquiring properties for development in the West Country and abroad. Over the last twelve years he has been operating Ross Moon Property Search covering most of the West Country. He is also chair of the Vivian Moon Braunton Community Trust Fund, a director of Fullabrook CIC, an honorary member of the Rotary Club of Braunton and a director of The Vivian Moon Community Centre. Ross’s hobbies are classic cars, game shooting with his spaniels Rocky and Raffles and surfing.

With 30 years of experience since qualifying as a Chartered Accountant Keith offers knowledgeable and supportive business planning and advice, tax planning and consultancy to all his clients. Keith enjoys working closely with business owners to bring out the best. Keith is a member of the ICAEW Tax and Finance and Management Faculties. Outside of work Keith is a member of Rotary, Finance Governor of a local charity and has the role of Treasurer at Royal North Devon Golf Club. When he has time, Keith likes to play golf and cricket. Keith enjoys being able to spend time with his son and daughter and especially teaching them how to play cricket in the back garden.

David Atton joined the Board in 2007, bringing with him an extensive experience of the world of Education. Until his retirement in 2015, he was the Head Teacher of The Park Community School in Barnstaple. During a teaching career of 42 years, he has taught in five Comprehensive Schools, first in Leicestershire and then across Devon. His knowledge of young people and the challenges they face enables him to offer an educational perspective upon the applications received. Helping to guide many young people over the years, he appreciates the realities of how they can benefit from support when seeking to move ahead in their lives and access both educational and employment opportunities.

George was Chief Executive of Westward Pathfinder for 22 years since setting up the charity in North Devon in 1994. He retired from the role in 2016. The Trust grew to be one of the largest and most successful third sector providers of skills training and back to work support in the South West, working with over 4,000 unemployed and disadvantaged customers a year to help them develop the vocational skills, confidence and job search techniques to enable them to gain and sustain employment. George’s love of music and his eclectic taste has passed down to two of his sons who run a recording and rehearsal studio in Bristol. His other son is currently a local GP. George also enjoys wildlife photography and walking on Exmoor with his wife Sara. 

Anna is the owner and manager of Springfield Nursery, an Ofsted Outstanding Children's Nursery just outside of Barnstaple. She grew up in North Devon and educated in Bideford before moving to America and completing a year at High School. On her return, she completed her NNEB at North Devon College and worked for several years on Caroline Thorpe Ward at North Devon District Hospital before building Springfield Nursery with her husband Richard on their farm. They have 6 children, keeping them very busy, along with 3 grandchildren! 

Lucy Rosenbaum is currently working as a GP partner at Caen Surgery in Braunton.  She was born in North Devon and educated locally.  She attended medical school in Cardiff and moved back to the area in 2008, having spent two years working as a junior doctor in South Wales.  After qualifying as a GP in 2012 she worked for a practice in Barnstaple before joining the team at Caen Surgery in 2017.  She loves the outdoors and is an active member of Woolacombe Surf Lifesaving Club where she coaches children in pool and beach disciplines.

David is a retired University Lecturer (University of Portsmouth), who previously worked in the NHS as a Biomedical Scientist. During his NHS career of more than twenty years, he also contributed extensively to the delivery of professional qualification courses. He also gained an MSc and PhD via part-time attendance/study (Brunel University) , while working fulltime. Since moving to Devon, from Hampshire, 18 years ago, David has been involved in Torridge u3a, running several groups and serving as Chairman for 3 years. He has two children: a daughter who is a GP in Australia and a son who is a Bioinformatics specialist in the USA.  David’s hobbies include shooting, fishing & walking.

Susi lives in West Down with her husband and has three grown children. Susi is a trained farm secretary and administrator with many years experience in running an organic farm and dairy business. She has previously worked in the Civil Service and local government and is an active supporter of alternative energy projects.

Paula has a background of NHS Administration having worked in various roles at the local hospital in Barnstaple since it opened in 1978. She joined the Vivian Moon Foundation as Administrator in 2014. Outside of work she is a Past President of Braunton Caen Rotary and is very active on club projects both in the local community and internationally particularly in the fight against Polio in Asia, and supporting UMOJA, a school for disadvantaged children in Tanzania.

What we do

The types of course that can be taken.

• The Foundation offers assistance for both full time and part time courses, as well as for sandwich and correspondence courses
• The course for which you enrol should normally offer formal qualifications at a higher level or a qualification with a recognised professional or vocational body.
• The course venue does not have to be in North Devon, but preference is given to those who intend to return to North Devon to work.

Foundation Administration

In 1988 Vivian Moon and Aubrey Loze, the then Chairman of North Devon Manufacturers Association Training, had a vision of keeping talent in North Devon.  The Vivian Moon Foundation was created by putting their own funding together. Their only other support has been from the Barnstaple Bridge Trust.

Ever evolving, the Foundation's board of governors consists of eight professional and non professional people who are involved with the local community in different ways through their businesses and practices. They are supported by a part-time administrator who sees to the day to day running of the Foundation.

The Foundation Governors meet three times yearly in February, May and September to scrutinise applications and by September 2023 the Foundation had given out more than 2,250 grants to deserving individuals, totalling over £440,000.

Professional Advisors to the Vivian Moon Foundation

SG Kleinwort Hambro Asset Management