Sue Gill

Chair of the Board

Sue has many years of experience as an academic, organisational psychology practitioner and operational manager. She has recently worked as deputy programme director of the MSc in Health Care Leadership at the Alliance Manchester Business School. She also led modules on the MSc in International Health Care Leadership and Clinical Doctorate in Health Care Sciences.

Before this, Sue lectured at Salford University Business School, leading modules on their MBA, MSc in HRM and MSc in Management Practice programmes. Sue also led consultancy and enterprise activities within the Universities, applying principles of evidence-based best practice and also the experience she gained as Director of SG Associates (UK) Ltd, an Organisational Psychology consultancy providing organisation and management development services to a wide range of organisations in both the public and private sector.

Sue’s academic and consultancy practice is informed by her experience as an operational manager in the NHS and pharmaceutical industry. In addition, she held senior management roles, including as Director of Quality Assurance and Human Resource Management on the Board of an NHS Trust.

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 completed 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 the 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, performance and leading change.   She looks forward to bringing her expertise to the Board and learning more about multi-academy trusts. Outside 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. Its 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, manages plant hire companies with annual turnovers in excess of 3 million per year, and employs over 40 staff. He has experience in 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 delivering 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 of fast-moving and evolving/emerging markets to ensure first-class business stewardship.

Mark Johnson

Company Secretary

Mark Johnson is a dual-qualified solicitor and chartered company secretary with over 23 years of experience advising on commercial arrangements in public services. He has advised on converting many schools to academy status, establishing free schools, forming group structures, and mergers and acquisitions. He serves as the Company Secretary to a community MAT in Cheshire and 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 most of those years in Special Education as a teacher, deputy headteacher and 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 from 2001-2014.