Anne began her working life in retail management before becoming an officer in the Royal Air Force serving in the UK and Hong Kong. She then joined the civil service where her roles included responsibility for transport policy in the West Midlands, running a college for senior fire service personnel, and a range of senior civil servant posts in the Department for Education. Anne retired from the civil service in June 2020 shortly after joining the MET Board. She was elected as Chair from 1 September 2020.

 

 

Drew Richardson-Walsh is a Partner of Peridot Partners Ltd, a London-based executive, and board-level search firm, where he leads the education practice. Prior to working for Peridot, he worked as a senior leader in both colleges and universities being responsible for student services, marketing, alternative (14-16) provision, and safeguarding. 

Drew has been a school governor and charity trustee for over ten years; namely as Vice-Chair of Nottinghamshire Clubs for Young People Ltd, a Governor of John Ferneley College, Governor of Brooksby Melton College and joined the Mowbray Education Trust Board as Vice Chair in 2018.
 

 

Marianne joined the Trust Board in November 2018, following a 32 year career in BT and Openreach.  Her main skills lie in Project Management, Business Improvement and Business Change and is currently a Project Manager for EXFO.  After joining the trust she also joined the sub committees of Audit, Finance and Risk and the Community Committee.  She is passionate about customer service in all its guises and by working with the Community Committee, hopes to help our parents, the public and our community understand the MET's goals, ambitions and achievements.

 

 

Wayne Hickling was appointed a Trustee in 2019. He grew up in the Black Country, but moved to Melton in 2002 and now lives locally with his wife and two children, both of whom went to Sherard Primary and John Fernley College. Wayne has worked in the engineering and construction industry for over 30 years and is currently a Director of a large UK contracting business.

Wayne was a school governor for over ten years and before becoming a Trustee was Chair of Governors at Sherard Primary School. He is keen to contribute to the local community by being part of the Mowbray Education Trust.

 

Ian Connerton was appointed a Trustee in May 2020. Ian is an experienced programme and portfolio manager, and is inspired by innovative technologies and revolutionary ways of working.

Throughout his career, he has always looked for roles that make a difference whether helping people ‘feel good’ through working at Boots through to transforming leadership in schools at the National College, or delivering strategic digital change in higher education at the University of Nottingham. Ian hopes his skills in delivering strategic programmes and projects, coupled with his experience working with technology, and his passion for collaborating to find innovative solutions, may be of benefit to the Mowbray Education Trust.

Debbie was appointed as a Trustee in September 2020. Debbie is the Deputy Chief Finance Officer at De Montfort University and has significant experience in senior finance roles in public sector and not for profit organisations. Debbie has developed expertise in identifying and managing financial risks, particularly in an environment where there are limited resources and a need to demonstrate value for money.

Debbie grew up in Melton Mowbray and attended Brownlow Primary School and John Ferneley High School, both of which are happy memories for her. Having spent her career working to improve public sector and educational organisations, Debbie is keen to bring that experience to the Board and contribute to make a difference to the educational experience of the children and young people attending the Trust’s schools. 

Kcarrie Valentine 

Kcarrie grew up in the east end of Glasgow and attended Glasgow University, studying theology. Kcarrie began his career teaching religious studies, followed by time spent as Head of Department and as Head of Year. Kcarrie has senior leadership experience spending seven years as Assistant Headteacher in Derbyshire, then as Head of School in Nottingham and achieved National Professional Qualification for Headship in 2012. He also led training and CPDL within and across schools and phases in the East Midlands and has had a range of articles published in the education press. Kcarrie joined the Association of School and College Leaders (ASCL) Professional Development at the start of 2015 and was appointed as Director in 2016. He leads on ASCL’s training and development, delivering a range of courses, conferences, consultancy and programmes for school, college and trust leaders around the UK.

Away from work, Kcarrie is a fully qualified football coach and coaches his daughters under 13 side who play in the Nottinghamshire County League. He is also a member of ABPCO, the Association of British Professional Conference Organisers and a Governor at a maintained secondary school in Nottinghamshire. 

Tendai is a graduate in Aerospace Engineering with up to 20 years working experience in aviation and aerospace. Having worked for iconic organisations such as easyJet, Boeing and Rolls-Royce, he specialises in risk management, auditing, investigation, and crisis management.

A career highlight for Tendai was being named easyJet employee of the year in 2017, which he was recognised for by having his name put on the side of one the easyJet aircraft (aircraft registration: OE-IJA).

Tendai became a Trustee to support his community and help make education the  best experience for children, teachers, and staff.

 

Natasha is a Christian, mother, grandmother, partner, aunt, friend, registered mental health nurse and is currently the General Manager of a medium secure Forensic Mental Health Hospital.  She was born and raised in Trinidad and Tobago, the home of Carnival and Calypso and comes from a proud West Indian heritage.  Outside of work, Natasha's favourite things to do at the moment include taking long country and canal walks, reading, cooking and eating. 

Natasha has been nursing for over 20 years and during that time has held a range of direct clinical and non-direct clinical roles as she has always wanted to contribute to change and enhanced patient care.  Natasha recognised early on in her career that she wanted to make a positive impact to care delivery and to the staff experience and in order to do this she needed to develop herself and gain a range of experiences.  She has worked in a range of services, including forensics, prison health, adult mental health, CAMHs and Neuro Developmental services.

Being a Trustee is one of the ways Natasha enjoys giving back to the community.  As a mother of two children Natasha values the role of education at both primary and secondary school, and the chance to contribute to make the experience better for pupils, parents and staff is therefore a natural fit.  If you see Natasha around school please say hello!

Ffyona Baker 

Ffyona is the Associate Chief Operating Officer (and Director of Organisational Development & Change) at Loughborough University which includes holding the post of Executive Board member. Ffyona joined Loughborough following two and a half years in Further Education as the Director of Organisational Development & HR for Nottingham College Group, having been part of the team that oversaw the merger of two Colleges. Prior to her role in HE, Ffyona worked for three years at Leicestershire County Council and had responsibility for overseeing a transformation portfolio that was delivering £42m savings through a complex programme of high-profile service redesign and change projects. Her career prior to those roles included 3 years in senior transformation/change/HR roles at another Higher Education Institution, Local Government and a Not-for-Profit Housing Association. In addition, she has worked in regulated industry (Royal Mail) and the Private Sector in Financial Services (Alliance & Leicester).

Ffyona has a Masters in Business Administration (MBA) and qualifications in Programme and Project Management as well as HR related qualifications. She has a passion for furthering the educational opportunities of young people and has chosen to work in the Education Sector for this reason.

 

Alison was appointed as a trustee in February 2023, and values this opportunity to continue to support local education. Alison has been a school governor since 2007, which includes 12 years as Chair of Governors and service as a National Leader of Governance. She is happily retired, and previously enjoyed working as a School Improvement Partner for Coventry City Council, a senior school leader, and a science teacher.

 

 

 

Formerly the Chair Of Governors at Iveshead School, Jo was appointed as a trustee in February 2023 and is keen to contribute to the local community by being part of the Mowbray Education Trust. Jo believes that a good education is a springboard to so many opportunities beyond our schools, so her passion is ensuring that all students are provided with a high-quality education that opens doors and offers good prospects.

Jo currently works for ThermoFisher Scientific as a software testing manager. Her business skills involve data analysis, process improvement, continuous improvement and measurements to evidence benefit of enhancements made. Along with project management and communication skills, these core business skills translate easily into the school environment and the Trustee role. 

Originally from Manchester, Jo moved to Leicestershire as a teenager, has lived in Shepshed for over 20 years and has three grown up children. Out of work you can ask Jo about what she’s making, reading or watching, and how her beloved Manchester City are currently faring.

 

Please click here for details on dates appointed, term of office and who appointed above Trustees.

Trustees retired from role in last 12 months; 

David Warden - appointed 1/4/2019 and resigned 23/7/2021

Bharvi Booton - appointed 20/9/2021 and resigned 3/10/2021 

Phil Smith - appointed for second term of office 1/9/2021  resigned 13/1/2022

Stuart Hill - appointed 14.2.22 resigned 7.9.22

Siobhan Connolly appointed 24.9.2020 resigned 28.9.22

Adam Brewster appointed 18.10.22 term of office ended 13.11.2022

Debbie Longley-Brown appointed 11.11.21 resigned 19.1.23

Andrew Harris appointed September 2021 resigned May 2023