Director of Operations

Mrs Laura Austen

Member (Chair) - HHJ David Fletcher CBE

I am a Circuit Judge since 2004, prior to my judicial appointment I was a solicitor working in North Staffordshire. I am the diversity and community relations judge for Stoke on Trent and Stafford. I have been a Governor serving as a chair during the last 12 years.

Member - Mr Eric Barbour CFIOSH, FInstLM, FIIRSM RSP, GCGI

I am a local business owner of EBB Limited, a Health, Safety and Fire Management Support consultancy. I have served as the Chairman of Newcastle under Lyme Homestart Borough. Also I served in the Royal Marines for 23 years, seeing active service around the world, while also having the honour to serve on the Royal Yacht Britannia. 

Member - Mr Tim Blackhurst

I am a successful business-man who runs both a local and national businesses. I am the MD of Ladymoor Foods LTD and have been since 1996. I am also the Executive Director of Hyland Crown LTD and NCB Food Service LTD. I employ over 80 people across Staffordshire and the surrounding area.

Trustee - Mr Samuel Compton (CEO and AO)

I am a National Leader of Education with extensive experience of School improvement. I have been a Headteacher with over 9 years of experience, been an Executive Headteacher and now the Chief Executive Officer of the Trust since January 2022. I have completed my NPQH, have a PGCE from Cheltenham and Gloucester University and a BA degree in Politics from Swansea University

Trustee and Chair of Trustees -

Mr Robert (Bob) Owen MBE

I am a Chartered Engineer and until retirement was a General Manager in Siemens, responsible for a number of Large Project Engineering Businesses mainly operating in the international market place.
A former Vice-Chair of UMIST and a Board Member of The University of Manchester I have recently been a member of an IEB helping restore a failed school on its journey to recovery.  

 Trustee and Chair of Remuneration Committee- Mr Bernard Kellett

Prior to my retirement I set up and ran my own Human Resources Consultancy business and prior to that was Director of HR at two Russell Group Universities. Before moving into higher education, I was employed by four Local Education authorities undertaking mainly HR roles.
Outside my employment I was a primary school governor for a number of years undertaking a wide range of roles including being Chair of Governors and chairing sub-committees. I was Parish Clerk to my local Parish Council for seven years and I am currently Secretary to the Patient Participation Group at my former GP surgery.
I hold a BA degree and an MSc. I am a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Secretaries and Administrators FCG and a Chartered Member of the Institute of Personnel and Development MCIPD.
I am a trained relationship counsellor and accredited in Alternative Disputes Resolution.

Trustee and Chair of Audit Committee -  Richard Huntley ACIB

I am a retired corporate banker, having spent nearly 40 years in banking, with the last 20 years being with Santander. I also spent 10 years on the board of Wulvern Housing from inception when the housing stock was transferred from the local council.

Trustee - Dr. Peter Ford

I am an experienced business leader who has built, led and transformed international information technology, consulting & digital organisations of up to 1,000+ people. I have a strong background in project delivery including managing multi-million pound programmes and have led senior teams creating change programmes that have included restructuring, growth and systems, process & culture change. I have a BSc (Chemistry) and PhD from the University of Manchester and an MBA from the Open University.

Trustee - Di Swift

Trustee - Mrs Jill Cheadle

I am a retired Headteacher with a vast experience of working in challenging schools. In addition I was a LA Consultant in Staffordshire LA and Stoke LA. I retired from Headship at Brookhouse Green Primary School, Wellfield Road Bucknall, Stoke-on-Trent December 1989 and joined Staffordshire LA as a District Inspector January 1990.

Trustee - Mrs Victoria Dalgarno

I am a business owner and Parent Trustee who also works in the independent education sector. I have a number of years experience working in various educational institutions. 

I have experience as a Company Director, and HR Specialist working with Senior Managers to improve business. 

 I hold various qualifications in Business, Management and HR, in addition to a BSc (Hons) degree.

Trustee (Chair) Mrs Laura Austen (Resigned 06/06/2022)

I graduated from University with a BA(hons) Law and Business in 1997 and have worked at senior manager level within marketing in several blue chip FCA regulated companies where I completed my Chartered Institute of Marketing qualification. I have worked within the education sector as a Company Secretary and Governance Manager and am a Director of our local family run bakery. In 2015, I attended and passed, the National Governor Leadership Programme with Edge Hill university.

Trustee - Mrs Lynne Bennett (CEO and AO - (Stepped down 31/12/2021)

I am a National Leader of Education with extensive experience of School to School Support and School Improvement; with over 12 years of Headship experience in challenging schools. I am also the Head of Hempstalls Teaching School Alliance, which is the only Primary teaching school in Staffordshire.

Trustee - Mrs Andrea Jones - (Resigned 05/04/2022)

I am currently the Head of Finance at Siemens plc, Congleton.  I am married and have 3 children and am passionate about Equality, diversity and Inclusion within the workplace, in particular encouraging females in to STEM careers.  I joined Siemens in 1988 as a Finance apprentice working across multiple departments and  Siemens sites across the UK.  Latterly spending 12 months on delegation in Germany, I returned as the Head of Finance at Congleton, back where my career started.