Trustees (ID 1027)

• Neil Collins
  Chair
  Neil Collins

  Neil studied Engineering at Cambridge before going on to a career in Telecoms software working in the UK and US. He has always been passionate about education and in 2012 was one of the co-founders of GovernorHub - an online resource for school governors and trustees used by over 15,000 schools in England. He has been a school governor for twenty years and was the founding chair of trustees at Enrich Learning Trust where he is still a member. He is also a trustee at The Wherry School - a special school for autistic pupils.

• Lindsay Hanger
  Vice-Chair
  Lindsay Hanger

  Lindsay has worked in education for 35 years as a class teacher, SEN Specialist Teacher, SENDCO, Deputy Headteacher and Headteacher of both a Pupil Referral Unit and a primary school. Lindsay is passionate about creating the right opportunities for all children, ensuring that the “whole” child is at the centre of education and that the wellbeing of pupils and staff is always an important consideration when decisions are made. Lindsay has two children and four grandchildren, all of whom live locally.

• Chris Harrod
  Trustee
  Chris Harrod

  Chris has vast Business and Management Expertise as Chief Executive of Harrod UK Ltd and holder of the European Foundation for Quality Management (EFGM) training and PKF cost accounting and financial planning. In his spare time, Chris’ hobbies include keeping fit, travelling, off road driving and Formula 1.

• Oliver Drury
  Trustee
  Oliver Drury

  Oliver has been a School Governor for over 15 years. He has held leadership roles in communications, marketing and corporate affairs at the East of England Co-op, Adnams and Marshall. He is passionate about education and achieving success together.

• Katie Ward
  Trustee
  Katie Ward

  Katie has spent most of her career as a lawyer, working in various roles in financial services. Having recently retired, she is looking to use her skills in a different way and contribute to the success of Kingfisher Schools for the benefit of all concerned. Katie loves reading, walking, going to the theatre, keeping fit and travelling

• John Mitcheson
  Trustee
  John Mitcheson

  During his career in education John has taught in three different schools across the primary and secondary age ranges. He worked as an advisory teacher in Suffolk for five years. He then served as an adviser in County Durham for five years. In 2005 he joined Ofsted as one of Her Majesty’s Inspectors. He retired from Ofsted in May 2022. He is married and has two grown-up children. He has lived in Suffolk for many years and therefore has a good understanding of the issues faced by people in the East of England. He thoroughly enjoys retirement but feels he can use his knowledge and experience to aid school improvement.

• Elaine Glendinning
  Trustee
  Elaine Glendinning

  Elaine has been a teacher since 2003, quickly moving into leadership. She was the headteacher of Southtown Primary School for 12 years overseeing significant changes in the school including expansion in pupil numbers on roll and building to accommodate the expansion.

• Professor Claire Pike
  Trustee
  Professor Claire Pike

  Claire is Pro Vice-Chancellor (Education Enhancement) at ARU. In this role, she leads work on curriculum development and enhancement, academic quality, student achievement, and the student experience across a wide range of courses, disciplines and delivery modes. She is passionate about the power of education to positively transform people's lives.

• Ged Blake
  Trustee
  Ged Blake

  Ged is an experienced HR professional with extensive knowledge of supporting schools and academy trusts through her previous work with EPM. Ged has worked in a variety of sectors supporting HR systems, policy and casework, including retail and most recently the care sector.