Sue is a Freelance consultant providing training in Functional Skills to young people, through Apprenticeship Training Providers, delivering Barclays LifeSkills (People, Money and Work Skills) through Barclays’ charity partner and providing CEIAG to young people aged 14-19 at a University Technical College.  Sue has over 25 years’ experience in the education sector as a former lecturer in ICT, at Stoke-on-Trent College, and as a project manager for Education and IT projects across Staffordshire Colleges.  Sue is also a former Director of the Haywood City Learning Centre where she helped schools develop the use of ICT and innovative digital technologies in teaching and learning. Alongside education, Sue brings a wealth of Human Resource Management and great expertise of online technology to the trust.

 Sheela was a litigation and licensing solicitor for a local authority for 22 years before retiring 3 years ago. Before qualifying as a solicitor, Sheela worked in ceramic and then forensic science laboratories. She is now working as a Clerk to Governors for Stoke City Council. Sheela became Chair of Governors at Moorpark in November 2016 after being a parent governor there for 3 years. She brings legal, industry and governance skills to the board

Karen has been the CEO of The New Guild Trust since it formed in 2018 and a headteacher for 11 years, reported by Ofsted as being an outstanding leader (June 2016) in a school that is a special place to be (October 2022). She entered the teaching profession in 2001, awarded Science teacher of the year, 2004. She worked as an Advanced Skills Teacher from 2005 working with a range of professionals in school improvement across Stoke, Staffordshire and Cheshire until entering leadership in 2008 as a deputy head in a large primary school. Karen is a lifetime fellow of the Primary Science Teaching Trust , an Ogden Trust Partnership lead since 2018 and a chartered teacher of science with the ASE since 2020. Prior to teaching, Karen worked within a support role in a specialist provision for autistic children

Louise Eagle is the former Head of Volunteer Resources at Douglas Macmillan Hospice. She is currently on a 5-month secondment to support the smooth transition to create a Strategic Alliance with Approach Staffordshire, a charity support people living with dementia and their carers in Staffordshire. Previously Louise has been a Fundraiser for a National Children’s Charity and Volunteer Development Manager within a Children’s Hospice. Louise is also an Enterprise Advisor for Kemball School.

Helen is the Senior Programme Manager for the Artsmark Award in the West Midlands. The Award helps schools to deliver high-quality art and cultural education in their setting. She has Post Graduate Qualifications in both Museum Studies and Fine Arts and currently sits on the West Midlands Museums and Schools Board. Originally from Stoke-on-Trent, Helen worked with children in a specialist provision for 8 years in both India and New Zealand before moving back to the area in 2012. She is involved in the Stoke-on-Trent bid for the city of culture 2021, specifically supporting the strategy for children and young people. Helen is also trained to deliver Arts Awards, which inspires young people to grow their arts and leadership talents.

Helen brings a wealth of cultural and diverse experiences and skills to the board with an excellent knowledge of education on an international level.

Julian is father to Erin who is 11 and married to Helen. I grew up in Cheshire in an environment where it was unexpected to go on to Further Education. My Dad worked as a Joiner and my mum, a nurse but with the help of some great teachers and very supportive  parents I have achieved an honours  degree and a Masters in Business Administration.  I pursued a career in Retail.

In business I have worked for several household names including; Aldi, Shop Direct and Matalan. I started on graduate training scheme and worked in operational and commercial roles. I have been an Executive Board Director for over 15 years, leading large teams in UK and overseas. I have lived and worked in; the middle East, Hong Kong and Australia. I continue top work hard at improving  my working style which has been characterised as Engaging, inspiring, collaborating, Empowering and mentoring. Away from work I play golf, I cycle and run.

Being involved in the Trust gives me the opportunity to ” put a little bit back”, and I hope I can help to make a difference.

Sally was an accountant prior to working as a senior school business manager within a primary school. She has since been in post as the chief finance officer for a MAT of seven schools established for last three years. Sally brings a secure knowledge of school business management and finance within a MAT.

Damon is a highly experienced senior Manager with over 25 years’ experience in both the corporate and NHS sectors working for some of the largest blue chip organisations both outside the NHS and within the wider healthcare sector. I am currently studying my CILEX to qualify as a legal executive solicitor and and has recently obtained the Diploma in Clinical Claims and Risk Management.

Currently acting s a legal advisor at a large NHS Trust in London providing legal advice and advocacy on behalf of the Trust.

He has experience of working with and reporting to executive and non-executive Directors and holding significant responsibility within his organisations. Proven experience of working alongside and supporting senior management and executives at board level and having delegated responsibility for managing key projects, including business change and development. This includes the ability and experience to make recommendations and decisions fundamental to the success or direction of the business.