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 Peters B.A. (hons). N.P.Q.H.  CSciTeach.

Karen Peters is the Chief Executive Officer of The New Guild Trust, a role she has held since the Trust was established in 2018.

Karen served as Headteacher of Moorpark Junior School from 2012 to 2025, where her leadership was recognised by Ofsted as Outstanding (2016) and in the last inspection, the school was described as a special place to be (2022), reflecting a strong culture of inclusion, ambition and achievement.

Karen began her teaching career in 2001 and was awarded Science Teacher of the Year in 2004. She went on to work as an Advanced Skills Teacher (AST) and later as National Leader of Education (NLE), supporting school improvement in many schools and across a number of local authorities.

A passionate advocate for excellence in science and inclusive education, Karen is a Lifetime Fellow of the Primary Science Teaching Trust (PSTT) and a Chartered Science Teacher with the Association for Science Education (ASE).

She has a wealth of  experience and expertise in school and system leadership, alongside a proven commitment to improving outcomes for all pupils across the New Guild Trust and beyond.

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.

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.

Andrea worked for Moorpark Junior School from 2004 for almost 20 years before taking early retirement in 2023.  She
held the position of parent governor both at Jackfields Infant School and Moorpark Junior for almost 24 years and went onto Staff Governor when her children moved onto High School
Andrea started working at Moorpark as Administrative Assistant and then went onto become School Secretary.  After eight years in the office a position became available for a full time Family Support Worker and was successful in getting the job.
This involved working with all of the children and families in our school:
Facilitating parenting courses and emotional well-being courses
Working to Safeguard children
Mentoring children
Supporting and working with organisations who could help with children’s emotional mental health needs
Working to improve children’s attendance
Prior to working in school she worked as a Production Manger for 12 years in the pottery industry
Andrea hopes that being part of The New Guild Trust enables me to continue to give my time and support for all four schools in the Trust

Richard Sidley taught at Longton High School  for 31 years, retiring as senior Deputy Head in 2005. He was a school governor at Alexandra Infants and Alexandra Junior School from 1986-2017. An active trade unionist, he was the NASUWT City Secretary from 2005 and National Executive Member for Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire. He was a city councillor from 1988-1996 representing the Longton South ward. Richard was Chair/Vice Chair of Citizens Advice for almost 20 years and  a member of the Socialist Educational Association National Executive from 1992-2020. Richard is also the Vice Chair of Governors at Alexandra Junior and Alexandra Infants from Feb 26.