Directors

The trustees are responsible for the same three core governance functions performed by the governing body in a maintained school: setting the direction, holding the headteacher to account and ensuring financial probity.

As charity trustees, they must also ensure that they are complying with charity law requirements. Academy trusts are charitable companies and the trustees are company directors and must comply with company law requirements. This may sound daunting, but, in reality, the duties are largely the same as those of a governor of a maintained school, such as regularly attending meetings, managing conflicts of interest, seeking advice from the academy’s leadership team and ensuring the academy has appropriate procedures in place for reporting financial information.

Information about our trustees and their attendance records can be found below:

Director's Name	Term of Office - Appointed by	Role	Business, Financial Interests and other Governance Roles
Marcus Rea	11 May 2017 - 10 May 2025 Appointed by the Members	Finance & Chair	Marcus is a chartered qualified accountant and Senior Managing Director at Teneo. Marcus' wife is employed by the Trust as a part-time swimming teacher and was appointed prior to Marcus taking a seat on the Board. Marcus has no additional business or financial interests and has no governance roles elsewhere.
Victoria Lee	11 May 2017 - 10 May 2025 Appointed by the Members	Human Resources	Victoria is the Assistant Director for HR and Organisational Development at Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council. She is a member of the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development. Victoria is a freelance violinist and has her own business, Victoria Lee Music. She has no governance roles elsewhere.
Steve Salisbury	11 May 2017 - 10 May 2025 Appointed by the Members	Health & Safety	Steve runs his own architectural business - SJ Salisbury Designs. Steve has no additional business or financial interests and has no governance roles elsewhere.
Sarah Turner	2 October 2019 - 1 October 2023 Appointed by Trust Board	Quality Assurance	Sarah is Deputy Director of Operations within the College of Medical and Dental Sciences at Birmingham University. Sarah has no additional business or financial interests. Sarah is also a trustee for ADHD Adults UK, a small UK-based charity).
Kate Bailey	11 May 2017 - 10 May 2025 Appointed by the Members	Policy	Kate is a Strategic Housing Services Manager at Wyre Forest District Council. She is a member of the Chartered Institute of Housing. Kate has no additional business or financial interests and has no other governance roles.
Kay Kavanagh	29 Nov 2022 - 28 Nov 2026 Appointed by the Trust Board	Governance	Kay is Director of Governance at Stoke-on-Trent College. Kay has no additional business or financial interests.
Sue Duley	16 May 2023 - 15 May 2027 Appointed by the Trust Board	Risk Management and Compliance	Sue is a governance, risk and compliance specialist, and is currently a Conduct and Compliance Manager at Unity Trust Bank. Sue has no additional business or financial interests. Sue also serves in a voluntary capacity as a committee member of the Society of Malawi Scientific and Historical.
Phil Jackson	11 May 2017 - 10 May 2025 Appointed by the Members	CEO & Accounting Officer	Prior to becoming our CEO, Phil was a headteacher for 17 years, leading two primary schools; most recently he was head teacher at The Lyppard Grange Primary School. Phil has no additional business or financial interests and has no governance roles elsewhere.