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Claire Heald

Chair of Trustees

Claire is the Chief Executive of the Cam Academy Trust, a multi-academy trust in Cambridgeshire and Bedfordshire. Before that, she was National Director of Education at Lift Schools, one of the country’s largest MATs. She is a Trustee at educational charity, The Difference. She is a member of AQA's Curriculum and Assessment Quality Committee. She is passionate about educational equity and has expertise in MAT leadership and governance, school improvement, curriculum, reading and inclusion.

Jackie Cutchey

Jackie has been involved in education for more than 50 years. She started her career as a primary teacher in a London Borough ending in leadership roles in Suffolk. Jackie had a particular interest in special needs, gaining an Advanced Certificate in SEN. Having led four schools, including four years as executive head, she retired and became involved in school governance. She joined ALT as a trustee as well as a small trust in her local area. Jackie is committed to supporting all students to succeed.

Steve Purdy

Steve has had a successful career in business which included roles as UK Managing Director for a Fortune 500 company in the IT sector and UK Managing Director for a Global FTSE 250 company in the Services sector. Steve now runs his own business providing Performance Consulting, Executive Coaching and Leadership Development to clients looking to improve their performance within their professional and personal lives.

Toni Kittle

Toni is a Director of Education at Unity Schools Partnership and works within the executive team who support 33 schools, including primary, secondary and special. Toni has been a headteacher and executive headteacher within Suffolk and has a proven track record of transforming schools. Toni is a trustee for Essex and Suffolk Children's University, where she advocates for the most disadvantaged pupils. She has a particular interest in RSHE.

Indrajit Dey

Indrajit Dey is a chartered accountant with over 25 years’ experience in large InfoTech multinational corporations and has worked in several countries. He has expertise in Strategy Consulting, Finance Management and Mergers and Acquisition. He is passionate about making a difference in the field of education and has been on boards of education trusts since 2022.

John Irwin

David Hughes

Melanie Gardner

Claire Heald

Member

Claire is the Chief Executive of the Cam Academy Trust, a multi-academy trust in Cambridgeshire and Bedfordshire. Before that, she was National Director of Education at Lift Schools, one of the country’s largest MATs. She is a Trustee at educational charity, The Difference. She is a member of AQA's Curriculum and Assessment Quality Committee. She is passionate about educational equity and has expertise in MAT leadership and governance, school improvement, curriculum, reading and inclusion.

Helen Capron

Member

Helen Capron has explored education from a variety of angles: as a researcher, teacher, chair of governors and parent. She believes in high quality education for all and seeks to ensure this is being offered across all the ÖÆ·þÓÕ»ó Learning Trust schools.

Bob Crick

Member

Bob Crick has spent the past 27 years in education support and governance in the independent and maintained sectors, following a career in the Royal Navy as a logistician. He became a Member of the Trust in the Autumn of 2024 and brings a commitment to sound and pragmatic risk and resource management for the ongoing quality of education for each student and pupil.

Poppy Brown

Member

Poppy brings a strong legal and financial background to her role as a Member of the Board. As a qualified solicitor she specialises in banking and finance, advising in real estate finance lending transactions. Poppy was one of the first year 7 students to attend the first academy when it opened in 2002 and is committed to ensuring equitable access to quality education for all pupils.