David Harrison - COO

Member since December 2019

Current work role and responsibilities: Chief Operating Officer, St Teressa of Calcutta Catholic Academy Trust. Responsible for HR, Estates, Governance, and Growth/Onboarding.

Governance experience: Chair of Governing Bodies since 2003; Chair of intervention Boards since 2016; Trustee of large MAT in 2011-12; Trustee/Chair of Acorn Trust from 2019 till merger in 2021; Vice Chair/Chair of Epworth Education Trust, the religious responsible board for Methodist Education in England.

Why did you become a Member?: I was asked to join the members board by a Trustee. I accepted because I felt I could add value to the role with my previous governance experience. I also wanted to gain the experience from this role, as I had never served as a member before.

 

Paul Woodmancy - HR & Marketing Specialist 

Member since September 2022

Current work role: Retired

Previous work role: Human Resources Professional for Forward Trust

Governance experience: Links to the Central Trust/local school/area

Hobbies and interests:

Why did you become a Member? I was asked to join the members board by a Trustee. I accepted because I felt I could add value to the role with my previous HR and governance experience. I also wanted to gain the experience from this role, as I had never served as a member before.

 

Peter Wilson - Accountant

Board Member since February 2019

Current work role: Chartered Accountant for Whiston Corporate Services Ltd

Previous work role: Ran a large firm of Chartered Accountants for 30 years

Governance experience: Links to the Central Trust/local school/area

Hobbies and interests: Cycling in the Alps & Pyrenees, and playing the saxophone

Why did you become a Member? I became a Member to try and share some of my skills and life experiences with young people.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Martin Fleetwood (Chair) - Achievement Partner, School Leadership

Trustee since September 2021 

I am an achievement partner, executive coach, who works for Teach First in supporting headteachers and their teams over a two-year period for their teaching teams. I am a member of Teach First's trust board, which is a non-profit organisation that works to support headteachers and their teams over a two-year period for their teaching teams. I am also a member of Teach First's trust board, which is a non-profit organisation that works to support headteachers and their teams.

I am currently an Achievement Partner, Executive Coach at Teach First. In this role, I support headteachers and their leadership teams over a two-year period on the Leading Together Programme. I have worked with cohorts of schools across the Merseyside and West Yorkshire regions. In addition to this role, I deliver the NPQEL programme and support the National Teach First Headteacher Network.

Prior to being an Achievement Partner, I retired from permanent headship having been a middle leader and senior leader for 29 years. I was Executive Principal of Temple Moor High School, the Temple Learning Academy and Strategic Leader of the Temple Newsam Learning Partnership, a cooperative trust of nine schools in the East of Leeds. In January 2017 I undertook a nine-month interim Headship at Polar Hall School in Darlington. Polam Hall School is an all though Free School with a boarding facility that became part of the Woodard Academy Trust in April 2017. During my years of serving the wider Leeds learning community I was the Chair of the Schools Forum, a member of the Safeguarding Board, Vice Chair of the Yorkshire Inclusive Teaching School Alliance and chaired the Leeds Cooperative Schools Network I presented at BETT and the National Capita Conference on Children Missing Education and used my experience of leading research into teaching and learning with Newcastle University and the Learning to Learn Campaign to support an Action Research project with schools in Leeds and Stockholm.

I have a wealth of governance experience, having served as a governor of Temple Moor High School from 2007 to 2016, a trustee of Temple Newsam Learning Partnership from 2010 to 2016, and a director and trustee of Temple Learning Academy from 2014 to 2016. I was also a member of the Leeds Children's Trust Board from 2013 to 2016.

I have no historical direct links that connect me to the Central Trust or any of our schools, but I have worked as a Head in Darlington and therefore know directly of Wyvern's incredible successful journey. My link is more indirect in that I have spent a considerable amount of my career within education working passionately serving communities that face considerable challenges.

I am passionate about education and believe that all children deserve the best possible start in life. I am committed to working with the Central Trust to support our schools in providing high-quality education for all pupils.

Ben Peck (Vice Chair) - Marketing and Communications Specialist 

Trustee Since December 2020

Ben established Diddu Communications in 2017 after over ten years working for schools, trusts and universities across the country. During this time, Ben has:

• Helped schools move from having less than 100 first choice preferences to over 240
• Supported the development of free schools, ensuring there was both need and demand for them
• Worked with a MAT to help its growth from one school to over 30 academies
• Managed the internal and external communications for significant news and announcements

Ben has managed the media for almost every eventuality, from helping schools deal with some of the harsh realities they have to face to enabling them to champion and celebrate their successes.

Ben is a governor at a local authority primary school.

 

Rob Elvin - Solicitor 

Trustee since January 2021 

I am currently a Partner and Solicitor at Squire Patton Boggs, an international law firm. I am based in Manchester and have been with the firm since 1997. I specialise in Health and Safety and Environmental Law and have worked with clients in a variety of industries, including construction, real estate, and property. In addition to my legal expertise, I also hold senior management positions, including Office Managing Partner for the Manchester office.

I have extensive governance experience, having served on a number of boards and committees. I am a former member of the Legal Services Consultation Committee, a statutory committee that advised the Lord Chancellor on the governance of the legal professions and professional bodies. I am also the former vice-chair of Governors of a special school in Stockport and the Chair of the Squire Patton Boggs Charitable Trust. Additionally, I am a trustee of the Social Mobility Business Partnership, a registered charity.

I am committed to giving back to the community and have been involved in a number of local initiatives. I lived in Salford between 1998 and 2014, and my children attended Primary School there. My wife was also born and raised in Salford.

In my spare time, I enjoy watching football, having grown up in a family with close associations to the sport. I am a lifelong West Ham fan. I am also a keen angler and dedicate a lot of my time to Social Mobility initiatives, mentoring younger lawyers.

Elizabeth Whitifield - Assistant Academic Registrar

Trustee since February 2023

I am an experienced higher education professional with a passion for teaching and a commitment to providing students with the best possible learning experience. I am currently an Assistant Academic Registrar and University Lecturer at Liverpool John Moores University (LJMU), where I have been teaching for several years. I am also a published researcher with expertise in river system development in arid environments.

In addition to my teaching and research experience, I have a strong interest in governance and have served on a number of committees and boards, including the Governance of Degree Programmes in relation to aspects of quality assurance, validation and review of awards and examination boards. I am also a firm believer in the importance of community engagement and have been involved in a number of local initiatives, including the Postgraduate Certificate in Higher Education (PGCHE) programme.

Outside of my professional life, I enjoy spending time with my family and exploring the outdoors. I am an avid camper and hiker, and I love nothing more than spending time in nature with my dog. I am also a passionate advocate for education and believe that all children deserve access to a quality education.

I joined the Trust Board in September 2021 because I am passionate about education and believe that all children deserve the best possible start in life. I am committed to working with the Central Trust to support their schools in providing high-quality education for all pupils.

I believe that my experience and expertise in higher education, governance, and community engagement make me a valuable asset to the Trust Board. I am committed to working with the other trustees to ensure that the Central Trust continues to provide high-quality education for all children in our community.

Martin Vevers - Teacher 

Trustee since October 2020 

I am currently serving as an Executive Headteacher for the Laurus Trust. Prior to this role, I worked as a teacher for the same trust. I have actively participated in and collaborated with various local governing bodies. I am an avid sports enthusiast, holding a black belt in Taekwon Do. Most of my time outside of school is spent with my two children. I joined the Trust Board in October 2020. Since 1995, I have been residing in Manchester and its surrounding areas. I became a Trustee with the intention of contributing to the field of education in a voluntary and unconventional capacity.

 

Sarah Martin - Executive Headteacher for Adelaide Health Academy

Trustee since January 2024