Governance

Jo has been involved with Rail Transport for 24 years where she has enhanced the performance of large multi-site businesses which have multiple stakeholders. She has led many large and diverse teams through periods of change and has worked closely with government departments on matters of policy and strategy. She has managed large capital investment portfolios across the country and has gained considerable experience in risk management in a safety critical environment. New to the education sector, Jo brings her senior general management experience to Impact to provide a fresh perspective.

After completing a degree in Zoology at Liverpool University, Michael undertook a PGCE at Durham University. Michael has been a teacher, senior leader, local authority advisor, head teacher and executive headteacher in a career spanning over 25 years. He has always played a key role in school improvement in the authority. He has a particular interest in providing Resource Provision places for children with additional needs in mainstream provision. This is something reflected in Pennine Schools.

Tracy is an experienced finance professional, having worked in education finance roles since 1987. Tracy initially trained as an internal auditor, becoming a School Finance and Business Manager in 1998 and subsequently a CFO in the academies sector in 2011. She was designated as a Specialist Leader in Education (SLE) in 2012 and as well undertaking CFO roles, she coaches and mentors newly appointed CFOs in new and growing Trusts.

Phil is a qualified social worker and has had a successful career in children and adults social care. He was Head of Wellbeing and Social Care at Calderdale Council with responsibility for a staff team of over 1,000 people and revenue budgets in excess of £60m and took the service through major changes. Since 2013 Phil has undertaken a number of interim assignments throughout England, focusing on change management and the interface between health and social care. Phil has been a Trustee at Impact since 2016 and has a strong commitment to enhancing children’s wellbeing and life chances. He is helping to transform Castle Hall Academy, which joined the Trust in September 2018 and where he chairs the LGB. Phil is also a governor at South West Yorkshire Partnership NHS Foundation Trust.

John successfully managed in textile and manufacturing for 20 years. His managerial experience involved leading extensive business change and development into new markets.

John has been involved in school governance for over 20 years, first as a parent governor then as a community/co-opted governor and Chair of governors for 10 years. He had a leading role in the relaunch of the local governors’ association, Calderdale Governors’ Association and has been part of the following Local Authority groups: Calderdale Safeguarding Children’s Board, Calderdale Partnership School Improvement Board and The Schools’ Advisory Capital Group.

Sarah is the Director of Partnership at the University of Huddersfield and previously served as the Head of Division for Secondary Initial Teacher Education. With a Masters in Teaching and Learning from the University of Oxford, Sarah has over 13 years of teaching experience in the secondary and sixth form education sector and over 3 years of experience within the HE sector. Sarah has now dedicated her career to preparing future educators and improving educational outcomes. Currently, Sarah is pursuing a Doctorate in Education and is also an Ofsted Inspector where she demonstrates her commitment to addressing educational inequalities, promoting inclusion, and supporting the success of underrepresented groups within the education system.

Angie brings a wealth of operational skills and knowledge to the trust, with over 20 years’ senior leadership experience in the leisure and health sectors prior to her move into the education sector.

Angie has experience in the delivery and management of capital planning and projects, as well as contract management and health & safety.

Kash was appointed as Principal of Moor End Academy in April 2018, the school he attended as a teenager. During his time as Principal of MEA, he implemented and embedded the exciting direction of the academy over a 5-year period resulting in the academy becoming oversubscribed and one of the highest performing schools nationally with a Progress 8 score of +0.75. The academy was judged ‘outstanding’ in all areas in June 2024.

Kash was promoted to Executive Principal in February 2022 and now leads two other secondary schools. He was also a member of the Regional Headteachers advisory board for Yorkshire and Humberside which enabled him to share his professional expertise and experience to support and inform regional decisions.