Our Trust

The Trust's Central Office Team

Simon Jones joined Fairfax Multi-Academy Trust as CEO in February 2020. Simon has a wide range of experience, having worked in and with several Multi-Academy Trusts in the Midlands.

As CEO, Simon is the overall lead for all Academies within our Trust and will work closely with the DfE, The Regional Schools Commissioner, the Heads of Academy and the Directors to ensure the Trust vision is realised.

Martyn joined the Trust in April 2021 and is an experienced and successful headteacher who has spent most of his career in the East Midlands; he is now using that expertise to ensure that all FMAT academies and their students achieve their full potential.

As Director of Education, Martyn works across all sites within the Trust. He is responsible for evaluating the quality of provision and standards in each Academy.

With a financial background, John was initially employed as a member of the Fairfax Finance Department. Upon conversion to a MAT in 2014, John became Director of Finance and in more recent years he was promoted to Chief Operating Officer (COO).

As COO, John works closely with other members of the FMAT Executive Team to map out the strategic direction of the Trust; he then works across all sites within the Trust to ensure that the strategic vision is implemented. He is responsible for line managing several business functions including HR, Payroll, Estates, IT, Finance and Design.

As Trust Pastoral Lead, Karen is committed to the Trust vision to enrich lives and transform futures so that all children are able to be the best they can be. Karen has dedicated the majority of her career to developing expertise in the key areas of safeguarding, behaviour and attitudes and all areas of pastoral care and she will utilise these skills to support and guide the schools within the trust so that they are able to safeguard and provide the best possible pastoral provision for our students.

Simone joined FMAT in its founding year – 2014. Prior to this, she had a career spanning over two decades managing events, sales and marketing in luxury brand hotels.

As Executive Assistant she supports the CEO’s Office and has embraced the necessary changes and development as the Trust has evolved.

Simone is been responsible for building and developing systems for all centralised information and documents including Trust governance, policies, website maintenance and the FMAT Intranet. The role also involves being the key communication link between the Central Office Team and all internal and external stakeholders.

Rachel joined the Trust in March 2021. Her role involves providing general administrative support to the Executive Team, primarily supporting the Director of Education and Trust Pastoral Lead. Working closely with Simone Gannon, Rachel’s role includes diary management, preparation of documents and actions for relevant Trust meetings.

Rob is the Information and Systems Manager & Data Protection Officer (DPO) of the Trust. His role involves providing business intelligence and educational information to a wide range of audiences, including the Board of Directors. He is also responsible for overseeing the data protection responsibilities of the Trust.

As Graphic Designer, Keeley is responsible for the production of high quality, creative graphic art work/web content material for use throughout all of the Academies. Her artwork ensures that the Trust’s ethos and vision is conveyed whilst continually maintaining and raising the profile of the Trust.

Prior to joining the Central Office Team, Brian was Premises Manager at Fairfax.

In his role as Trust Health and Safety Manager, Brian will manage all aspects of the day to day management of health and safety matters across the Trust.

As English and Literacy Trust Lead, Debbie is committed to supporting the Trust through working alongside the English departments in all of our schools. Through leaning on Literacy, it is Debbie’s aim to improve the literacy skills of all of our students so that they can access the whole curriculum and improve their life chances.

Having been an English teacher for twenty years, a Head of English in two schools and an Assistant Head Teacher for eight years, Debbie offers as much experience as she does passion for the subject.

Simon joined Fairfax Multi-Academy Trust in April 2019 when he was appointed as SENDCo and a member of the Senior Leadership Team at Smith’s Wood Academy. His career before this as an expert teacher, school leader, national trainer and local authority advisor has been dedicated to enriching children’s lives and transforming their futures. He became the SEND Trust Lead in September 2021. In this role he is responsible for providing advice, support, and challenge to school leaders in relation to special educational needs and disabilities. With wide ranging experience of improving outcomes for children, he is committed to inclusive education and the principle that no child should be left behind.

Previously Site Lead at Fairfax Academy, Oli joined the FMAT Central Team as Trust Estates Lead in January in 2022.

Working with Site Teams and Principals at each Academy, Oli is responsible for ensuring the delivery of the Core Offer, Asset Management Plan, and improvement of each Academy site, so as to maintain high standards across all sites for students, staff, and visitors; ultimately giving FMAT students the best possible learning environment.

In September 2016 , Gemma was employed as Finance Manager for Erdington Academy just as Erdington joined Fairfax Multi Academy Trust. With a long history of retail finance experience, Gemma was able to support the transition of Erdington into Academy status and then went on to support Fairfax Academy also. As part of the Trusts centralisation programme in 2020, Gemma secured her current role as Finance Business Partner.

Gemma’s role is predominantly to provide a proactive, forward-thinking, trust-minded, competent and consistent Finance service across the Trust and contribute to the overall success of the Finance department. To support the strategic development of each academy by working closely with the Academy and Trust Leadership to enable effective decision making and achievement of Academy aims.

Wendy joined FMAT officially in April 2022 as the HR Manager, heading up the HR Central Services function. She brings with her a wealth of experience across all aspects of HR with a specialist field in building and managing HR central services departments. She holds CIPD Advanced Level 7 and is a qualified Mediator, as well as currently studying for a NEBOSHH qualification.

In her role of HR Manager for the central function she provides support and guidance across all sites within the MAT along with her team.

She has developed a strong sense of devotion for the education sector and takes great pride in being part of contributing to the future of our children and championing the Trust Values and Vision

TBC

Safina Mahmood is a fully qualified member of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) and joined FMAT in April 2020 as a Trust Accountant when centralisation began. Safina has a wide range of experience as previously worked both as an internal and external Auditor.

As a Trust Accountant, Safina oversees and undertakes the key elements of financial administration of the Trust, produces monthly management accounts for all academies and the central function playing a key role in monitoring budgets within the Trust. Co-ordinates both internal and external financial audits and the preparation of statutory financial returns.

Our Trust

The Trust's Central Office Team

Simon Jones

Martyn Jobling

John Fitzgerald

Karen Cornell

Simone Gannon

Rachel Sullivan

Robert Fitzgerald

Keeley Clarke

Brian Fox

Debbie Tremble

Simon Lynch

Oliver Marsh

Gemma Wyle

Wendy Toon

Michelle Rabicano

Nicola Whitby

Safina Mahmood

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