David Rowntree

Interim Chair

David is a senior P&C insurance professional with international experience in developed and emerging markets. He is highly experienced in portfolio management, product development across personal, commercial and corporate segments, turning around unprofitable portfolios, corporate finance and strategy.
His skills include Management and leadership; Developing competitive strategy; Product development and portfolio management; Internal controlling & governance; Technical training and developing people; Leading change.

Nick Gill

Risk

Nick is an experienced Senior Manager, Risk Manager and Head of Safety, Health & Environment improving performance, reducing risks, increasing operational efficiencies and driving behavioural change across complex technical environments. A Chartered Electrical Engineer, evaluating risk, defining best practice, establishing standards and creating robust frameworks enabling the design and integration of business focussed processes to meet customer needs and an inclusive leader, building motivated teams and consulting with internal and external stakeholders to encourage knowledge transfer and information sharing to deliver best practice, cost effective solutions for the company, whilst influencing standard practices across industry bodies and regulators.

Stephanie Capon

HR

Stephanie holds a BA Honours in History from the University of Toronto, Canada.  She has lived in the UK since 2000 and went on to complete a Postgraduate Degree in Human Resource Management at the University of Salford.  She is an experienced HR professional who has worked in Human Resources for numerous years both in public and private sectors.  For the past 6 years she has held a position as HR manager in an independent educational setting and is passionate about staff engagement, wellbeing, staff performance and leading change.   She looks forward to bringing her expertise to the Board and to learning more about multi academy trusts.  Outside of work her interests include spending time with family, travel and dog-walking.

Ian McGrath

Estates 

Ian is the founder and MD of an Autism charity called Hearts And Minds Challenge which was set up in 2010.They have supported many families who have children with autism through various difficulties through the Hearts And Minds Challenge. Their mission is to raise the quality of life of individuals and their families affected by autism by ensuring the highest standards in education, care and support leading to employment and equality of living opportunities. He also works in the construction industry and manages plant hire companies with annual turnovers in excess of 3 million per year and employing over 40 staff. He has experience of negotiating contracts with major companies in the construction industry both in the UK and Ireland. Ian’s son attends Manor Academy.

Eddie Austin

Vice Chair/ Integration and Transition

Eddie has extensive experience and knowledge of the UK and International staffing sector. Founding Chair of APSCo (Association of Professional Staffing Companies) Education Sector 2013-15. Experienced advisor on the delivery of public and private sector business integration and operation.
He combines expert knowledge of the resourcing/recruitment and educational software/technology solutions sector with strong leadership, commercial skills and knowledge fast-moving and evolving/emerging markets to ensure first class stewardship of the business.

Mark Johnson

Company Secretary

Mark Johnson is a dual-qualified solicitor and chartered company secretary with over 23 years’ experience of advising on commercial arrangements in public services. He has advised on conversion of many schools to academy status, the establishment of free schools, formation of group structures, mergers and acquisitions. He serves as the Company Secretary to a community MAT in Cheshire and to several social enterprises providing youth and community services in Staffordshire.

John Lomas

Board Member
John has been in education for over 40 years. He spent the majority of those years in Special Education as teacher, deputy headteacher and as Headteacher at a residential/ day special school in Kent.
He was Senior Adviser for SEN and Head of SEN Support Services in Trafford Council for 7 years until 2011.
He is now an SEN Consultant (self-employed) 2011-date. Roles have included Acting Head of SEN (Rochdale) and Acting SEN Assessment Manager (Kirklees).
He was also the LA representative at SEN Tribunals 2001-2014.