Trust Directors and Governors

Qualified Charter Accountant and Corporate Treasurer, previously held Finance and IT director posts in HSBC and worked within a number of other financial institutions. Founding shareholder/director of school advisory business, which was contracted by the DfE to undertake the “Schools Facing Challenging Circumstances” programme and provided education consulting services to the BSF programme. Currently shareholder/director of school support organisation providing school improvement software and services in England and Wales. Former Chair of large “Outstanding” secondary school. Has been a school governor for nearly 20 years. FMAT director to support social mobility and future prospects of all our students.

Retired HR Executive for Marks and Spencer with 20 years responsibility for UK and European stores . Following relocation to the midlands, I became a Non Executive Director in the NHS taking Birmingham Community Healthcare Trust to Foundation Status .

I have been Chair of Governors for a local primary school of which I am still a Governor.  I joined Fairfax Governing body  in 2012 as  parent governor whilst my children attended the school and joined the Trust Board in 2016.

I am passionate about education and ensuring all students are able to access a balanced and fulfilling curriculum at the same time preparing them for the next stage of their lives.

I have more than 30 years’ experience working in strategic, advisory, and operational roles in the fields of education and governance in both local government and the private sector.

Since starting my own company, I have undertaken several interim / consultancy posts, working across Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND), Children’s Services, commissioning, education governance and school admissions.

I have significant experience as a Chair of Governors and Clerk to Governors within special and mainstream schools across the maintained and academy sectors. 

I was delighted to be asked to become a Director at FMAT and have taken on responsibilities for SEND and Safeguarding.

I am on a journey to retirement after life of working in varied fields of management, from engineering projects to senior management. I currently work as Director Operations and Resources for a large further education college. In fact, I led the development and building of the new Campus called Wisemore  for Walsall College.

I have an engineering background and worked for BT/Royal Mail from starting as an Apprentice to finishing as Head of Automation for Royal Mail Division over a time span of from 1972 to 2005. I have spent my last 19 years working for Walsall College with executive responsibility for HR, IT, Operational Services (Estates / Property) and Health and Safety.

I value the great education I received which led to a rewarding career and secure life and now look forward to being able to give something back to society via Fairfax MAT.

I have always been involved in schools as a Governor, Federation Board member and Trustee of an Academy. My keen interest in education is driven by values of believing in working hard  for the benefit of your family and the society you live in.

I am a qualified financial manager with more than 30 years’ experience in the financial services sector.  For the last seven years I have worked in finance within schools which provides me with an understanding of current issues and the financial operation of schools.  I first became a school governor in 1993 and was elected to the governing body at Fairfax as a parent governor after my daughter began at the school in 2006 and have subsequently served continuously as a director, a member and latterly as a trustee.

I am a qualified chartered accountant and an Audit Partner in practice with over 30 years experience at PwC, which provides a wealth of financial, strategic and management experience. 

I have had over 8 years experience within the Fairfax MAT having started in 2014 and held roles as an Associate and Board Member level. I have always lived locally and Fairfax has been involved in my life since my Grandfather became the first Head Teacher over 60 years ago.  

Recently retired after 38 years in Local Government, 19 of which were in Education. Andy spent the last 7 years as an Operations Director for a large Multi- Academy Trust delivering Finance, HR, Facilities, Health and Safety and IT support to 9 Secondary and Primary academies based in Birmingham and Walsall.  

Prior to that he spent 12 years as Business and Finance Director for a large Secondary school in challenging circumstances.

Andy has a  wide and eclectic set of experiences and skills  to support the Trusts Mission and Vision for the benefit of our students, families and communities.

I have over 30 year experience in working in financial services and consulting, mainly in learning and development and HR. In 2021 I became self employed as an executive coach working with middle and senior leaders across the globe. During this career I have worked in both the public and private sectors, including with Barclays, Learning & Skills Council, NHS, NSPCC, Phillips, PwC, Standard Life, and UK Borders Agency.

I have a track record of implementing projects that transform cultures and improve organisational performance. Through this I have developed an inherent passion for delivering success through people and for making a difference by facilitating growth in others, especially through inclusive leadership and talent development.

I am a widower with three adult daughters who have developed successful careers, in translating novels, project management and performing arts, after attending the local academy trust school. I have little direct experience of the education sector, apart from being the governor of my daughters primary school. However, I am a fervent believer in opportunity for all and wish to support the executive team in taking Fairfax MAT to the next stage of its journey towards achieving its vision and mission.

Having spent 25 years working in the education sector, I was delighted to be appointed as CEO of FMAT in February 2020.  Previously, I have held a wide range of senior MAT and school leadership positions, including Deputy CEO of a mixed phase MAT, Executive Head of a group of secondary academies and Principal of a secondary Church Academy.  During these roles, I have led on many areas including school improvement, quality assurance, curriculum development and finance.  Originally, I started out as a Chemistry teacher in Nottinghamshire, having previously honed my chemistry skills for a year at ICI.

I have always highly valued the opportunity to develop others and have also committed time and energy to coaching and delivering training sessions including some at national conferences.

It is only when we come together and combine our collective energy that we will genuinely benefit the communities we serve.