The Trust Leadership Team

With 13 years of experience in education IT support, Joel Thornton has worked across all phases of mainstream and special education, from nursery through to sixth form, as well as within further education. Joel has led the creation and implementation of transformative IT strategies across five multi-academy trusts, consolidating complex IT systems to ensure they are secure, efficient, and tailored to the needs of students. Currently, Joel leads a team of 14 IT professionals across the North West, North East, and Yorkshire at Consilium Academies, where he has transformed IT provisions to support teaching, learning, and student achievement. In addition to his role at Consilium Academies, Joel serves as the Chair of Governors for two primary schools within the Liverpool Diocesan Schools Trust: St Paul’s Goose Green and St James Worsley Mesnes, where he supports governance and strategic direction. He is also the Interim Director of IT at Epworth Education Trust, where he has been driving IT transformation since August 2024.