Our Trustees
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
Mr M. Farmer
Mark has over 25 years' experience in (Essex) education. He is currently a Local Leader of Education (DFE approved), a member of The Leadership Council of Great Britain & NI, and is the CEO for Bridge Academy Trust where he has been since 2017.
He has also been an Executive Headteacher and a Headteacher for over 10 years and worked for Essex LA for 3 years as a School Improvement Advisor.
Mark has worked in a wide variety of schools and is passionate in seeing children have high quality provision to ensure they have the best life chances.
CHAIR OF TRUSTEES
Dr. M. Wilson CBE
Term of Office: 17/10/2024 - 16/10/2027
With over 40 years of educational experience, Dr Maggie Wilson has served as a secondary headteacher in London and Essex, leading her school to achieve outstanding ratings in every category. Her extensive career includes being the founding CEO of a Multi-Academy Trust (MAT) and an academy advisor to the Department for Education (DFE). Additionally, she has held prominent roles such as Vice Chair of Anglia Ruskin University (ARU) and Non-Executive Director of Pearson Education Ltd.
Currently, she serves on the board of Peterborough University and is actively involved with a local charity that supports the poorest and most vulnerable in society. In recognition of her services to education, she was awarded a CBE and serves as a Deputy Lieutenant to the Lord Lieutenant of Essex.
VICE CHAIR OF TRUSTEES
Mr P Aristides
Term of Office : 11/06/24 - 10/06/28
Paul spent his first seven years working in professional education, three years in higher education and for the last sixteen years Paul has worked in Executive Search and is a Partner at GatenbySanderson leading on all FE and Schools recruitment. Paul has significant experience working with boards of Colleges, Universities and multi-academy trusts recruiting senior leaders.
TRUSTEES
Mrs C. Root
Term of Office: 12/04/2021 - 13/04/2029
Cherie Root is currently a Director in local government and has worked in the public sector for over 23 years in various roles.
She has considerable experience of working with local communities and leadership of multidisciplinary teams.
Cherie has previously served as a trustee at a Multi Academy Trust and parent governor at her local secondary school, and is keen to support the delivery of an excellent learning environment for students, giving them the best opportunities to reach their potential.
Mrs S. Skinner
Term of Office: 13/12/2022 - 12/12/2026
I have been in education for 32 years. I started as a PE teacher in Thurrock, moved to Southend as Head of PE and then took up my first Senior Leadership post back in Thurrock. I moved on to a Deputy Head role at Farlingaye High School in 2002 and then Headship at Claydon High School in 2009.
I have supported governance by sitting on a local IEB and in 2018 I was appointed as the CEO of Penrose Learning Trust (then South Suffolk Learning Trust). I am a member for SEEAT, and sit on the Advisory Board.
I have a passion for developing school leaders to improve outcomes for children, and do this through my work as a PIXL Associate and NPQEL Coach.
Mrs T. Thompson
Term of Office: 07/09/2022 - 06/09/2026
Mr C. Todd
Term of Office: 09/11/2020 - 08/11/2028
Colin is a chartered accountant and chartered tax advisor with extensive experience of working in the finance industry.
He currently practices in the field of tax compliance and advisory.
Colin first became a governor in 2016, initially serving as a parent governor. He is currently also serving as a governor in a local primary school.
Ms H Harvey
SAFEGUARDING LINK
Term of Office: 11/02/2025 - 10/02/2029
Helena’s career has largely been based in financial services in London. She has a strong background in governance and board engagement with technical expertise in various corporate areas such as takeovers, mergers and corporate restructurings. Key skills include building strong, cohesive relationships to facilitate better board and business engagement with stakeholders, project management and best practice governance.
Dr A Perales
Term of Office: 04/06/2025 - 03/06/2029
Ana started her career in Strategy Consulting following the completion of a PhD in Strategy Development and Implementation. She has worked in the Financial Services Sector for more than 20 years and has proven track record in the successful delivery of new business development initiatives, complex, large scale projects and customer experience improvements.
In recent years Ana has applied her customer and commercial focus, combined with key skills of strategy development, analytical problem solving, and disciplined execution to initiatives in the not for profit sector through her involvement with Conception X (a leading PHD deeptech venture programme) and Pilotlight initiatives.