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Trust Board

The Trustees have a four-year term of office. The main responsibilities of the Trustees are to

  • Set the strategic direction of the Trust
  • Hold senior school leadership to account
  • Oversee the Trust’s financial performance

Ben Stickley - SECAT Chief Executive Officer

Appointed 16th January 2023
 

Emma Hawker - Chair of the Trust Board; Chair of Curriculum & Pupil Matters Committee

Appointed 27th January 2023
  • Impact and Training Manager at education charity Governors for Schools
  • Previously Education Adviser specialising in assessment at Essex County Council
  • Former Key Stage 1 moderator for Essex County Council
  • PGSE in Primary Education
  • Former primary school teacher
  • BA History
  • Volunteer with local family support organisation A Better Start Southend
  • Former Chair of the YourFamily Partnership Group

Robin Knight - Curriculum & Pupil Matters Committee

Appointed 1st September 2016*
  • Employed in the IT service sector
  • Founding member of the Shoebury Educational Partnership
  • Local Governor supporting the Southend Schools Governors Association
 

Steve Churchyard - Audit, Risk & Resources Committee

Appointed 17th July 2025
  • Finance professional in the Civil Service with experience of working in various finance roles within government departments
  • Former private sector accountant and auditor with experience of working with academy schools
  • Qualified with the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW)
  • Coaching assistant for a junior athletics academy and volunteer for a Beavers group in the Southend area

Sildi Jasharaj - Audit, Risk & Resources Committee

Appointed 24th March 2023

 

Chris Loding - Audit, Risk & Resources Committee

Appointed 2nd October 2023

 

Harriet West - Vice Chair of Trust Board; Vice Chair of Curriculum & Pupil Matters Committee

Appointed 26th April 2024

 

Ross Legon - VIce Chair of Audit, Risk & Resources Committee

Appointed 14th February 2025

 

Andy Skulimowski - Chair of Audit, Risk & Resources Committee

Appointed 14th February 2025

 

Jacqueline Morris - Curriculum & Pupil Matters Committee

Appointed 17th March 2025

 

Former Trustees (Left in last 12 months)

William Lloyd - Appointed 26th November 2024, Resigned 30th January 2025
Dominic Fenton - Appointed 18th July 2022, Resigned 14th July 2025
Riz Malik - Appointed 20th September 2020, Resigned 23rd July 2025

 

*Reappointed for a further 4 year term