The Central Team (ID 1391)

• Ian Wilson
  Chief Executive Officer
  Ian Wilson

  Mr Wilson joined the Trust in April 2023 with a wide range of educational governance and school leadership experience. He supports and enables learners to believe in themselves, to succeed in life and to aspire to be all that they can be. In a teaching career from the classroom through to leading a Church of England High School, this experience of effective leadership underpins his work as Chief Executive Officer and Accounting Officer.

• Kim Bailey
  Chief Financial and Operational Officer
  Kim Bailey

  Mrs Bailey is AAT qualified and is the Chief Finance and Operations Officer of the Trust; working closely with the CEO in developing the successful strategic and operational direction of the Trust. She has been employed by the Trust since its formation as a School Business Manager supporting two of the high schools and has considerable experience in the public sector, including working for the police force and a large land based college.

• Liam McDaid-Jones
  Educational Consultant
  Liam McDaid-Jones

  Liam is an Educational Consultant currently supporting the Trust as Director of Secondary School Improvement and Executive Headteacher. He is passionate about Education and social justice.
  
  Fiercely ambitious and intrinsically motivated to ensure that every child, regardless of their background, has access to high quality learning and opportunities for successful futures.

• Liz Allbutt
  Director of Primary Learning and Governance
  Liz Allbutt

  With over 30 years of experience in primary education, Mrs. Allbutt has dedicated her career to teaching across all Key Stage 2 year groups. She spent 13 years as the headteacher of All Saints CofE First School, one of the Trust's schools. Mrs. Allbutt holds an NPQH and possesses extensive knowledge in primary education and technology.

  Outside of her professional life, she enjoys technology, playing golf, and spending time on the Isle of Wight.

• Julie Olver
  Trust HR and Contracts Manager
  Julie Olver

  Trust HR and Contracts Manager

  With over 10 years of experience in administrative and HR roles, Mrs Olver plays a key role in managing HR operations and contracts across the trust. Previously serving as the Office Manager at Leek First School, she brings extensive expertise in school administration and personnel management.

  Holding an AAT Level 2 certification and a Schools Administration Certificate, Mrs Olver ensures efficient HR processes and compliance within the trust. Outside of work, she enjoys skiing and walking.

• Ellie Thorpe
  Trust Accountant
  Ellie Thorpe

  Miss Thorpe is the Trust Accountant. She has a professional background having worked in audit within an accountancy practice, and joined the Trust in 2022. She finished her professional accountancy qualifications in 2022 when she became ACA qualified, following completion of her AAT in 2019. She works closely with our School Support Managers and supports the CFOO to ensure sound financial management across the Trust.

• Ben Butterworth
  Trust Assistant Finance Officer
  Ben Butterworth

  Mr Butterworth joined the Central Trust team in 2022 as Finance Assistant. He has a degree in Mathematics completed in 2014. Prior to joining the central team, he worked in one of the Trust’s first schools for 8 years.

• Tim Bonsall
  Trust IT Manager
  Tim Bonsall

  Mr Bonsall is the Trust's IT Manager. He joined the Trust in September 2024, bringing over 26 years of experience in the education sector. Previously, he served as ICT Manager at Westwood College for several years. His expertise spans Microsoft technologies, cyber security, cloud computing, networking, and the design and management of IT infrastructure. He is committed to delivering secure, reliable, and efficient IT systems that support the Trust’s operational and educational objectives.