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