FMAT Members Statutory Information

Having graduated with a law degree, I then qualified as a chartered accountant, and, after a further six years’ employment with KPMG, I left to pursue a career in industry. I subsequently worked in a variety of large, complex organisations (including Tarmac , Experian and Rightmove, in senior roles.

A little over seven years ago, I joined the Ministry of Defence as Chief Financial Officer for its procurement  business and then, since February 2015, in a broader business management, governance & assurance and transformation role within the headquarters of the Director General of the Defence Medical Services (DMS). I am now CFO in a part MOD- owned joint venture repairing components for the F35 Lightning fighter aircraft.

I have been married to Penny for 28 years and am a father to 3 grown up children (two of whom attended Fairfax) and grandfather to 3. I live near Burton on Trent and in what spare time I have, I am an enthusiastic but distinctly average golfer and enjoy playing Sax and walking our young Boxer, Max.

I have acted as community governor at two local primary schools over the last 12 years, working with one maintained school and one academy that is part of a trust of over 30. My role as vice-chair at both has given me good experience of working alongside senior teams to provide challenge and support in quite different circumstances between the two schools.

My day job sees me working with schools in the development of software to support their quality assurance, staff development and school development processes. During this role I have gained experience working with senior staff in trusts, groups and schools to ensure the best for their staff and children.

Current role in Schools Support Software Development, project management, marketing, customer support and sales. Also previous experience as a SEN governor at Park Hill Junior School and Thorns Infant School in Kenilworth.

Richard Veys is an experienced technology leader whose career spans multiple industries, continents, and technical disciplines. Beginning in the 199s with British Airways Engineering, he travelled globally to support aircraft maintenance—an experience that sparked a lifelong passion for solving complex technical challenges.

After completing his MBA, Richard moved into consultancy with Bain & Co and Ernst & Young, where he broadened his expertise and deepened his interest in IT and digital transformation. For the past 15 years in the Midlands, he has helped build and lead technology functions across several organisations, including co‑founding a household removal software company and serving in multiple CTO and IT Director roles.

Today, Richard works as a fractional IT Director and CTO, providing strategic IT leadership to a portfolio of mid‑market businesses. He specialises in guiding organisations through technology strategy, governance, and board‑level decision‑making.

Richard holds a degree in Aeronautical Engineering with a specialism in Space Systems Engineering, earning him the affectionate nickname “Rocket Scientist”—as well as an MBA from Cranfield University.

Alongside his commercial work, Richard has contributed to the education sector, previously serving as a school governor before relocating to Qatar. He is currently the IT Director for a school in Surrey and a special needs FE college in Birmingham.

Debbie is a freelance Education Leadership Expert specialising in strategic risk, corporate governance, school improvement, people development, peer review and trust growth.

She has been the CEO of two large multi academy trusts. During her tenure, both saw significant improvement in educational outcomes, people development and financial/operational performance.

Debbie is a former HMI and was, before that, the Principal of Nunthorpe Academy, Middlesbrough – judged outstanding by Ofsted in all aspects. Debbie was invited to a 2014 Downing Street reception for ‘Inspirational Women Leaders’ in 2014 following her work at Nunthorpe.

Debbie has wide experience in leadership development and school improvement, and has supported national projects, conferences and working parties/groups/advisory boards for the DfE, the Institute of Education (London) and many others. Debbie was also a non-executive adviser for GovNet’s Education Advisory Board for several years.

Debbie is the Chair of Trustees for the Ebor Academy Trust. She is also an associate leadership expert for Forum Strategy UK.