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

Mr K. Mogford

Term of Office:  01/09/2017 - 31/08/2025

Keith has over 25 years experience in senior roles in post-16

education and training, including FE colleges, awarding organisations and Sector Skills Councils.
He now works on a freelance basis supporting sixth form students with their progression choices and applications.

Keith has previously been a governor of two FE Colleges, 

and a parent governor and subsequently Chair of a successful

local secondary school.

VICE CHAIR OF TRUSTEES

Mrs N. Dunn

Term of Office: 01/09/2017 - 31/08/2025

Nikki Dunn has had a lengthy career in the civil service, undertaking a wide variety of roles including within Private Office, as a policy advisor and as a regulator. 
 

She currently leads a team of regulators and has a post graduate

diploma in Occupational Safety & Health. Through previous

roles she has developed a strong understanding of strategic

issues and has a sound knowledge of governance having undertaken CIPFA training in Corporate Governance and having provided secretariat support to a public sector board. 

Nikki has a life-long interest in education and has been a 

governor in both the primary and secondary sectors since 2003,

as a parent, community and foundation governor and, as a Trustee. 

She has served both as committee and governing body chairs.

TRUSTEE

Mr M. Fitzsimmons-Taylor

Term of Office:  24/05/2021 - 23/05/2025 

TRUSTEE

Mr S. Moore

Term of Office:  01/09/2017 - 31/08/2025

Stuart is a civil servant with over 30 years’ experience in central

government roles, mostly formulating,implementing and evaluating

policy in the justice sector. 
 

He has 14 years’ volunteer experience of governance in the

education sector.  He is currently a trustee of a multi-academy

trust where he brings constructive  challenge, objective analysis

and a focus on delivering best outcomes for students and value

for taxpayers.

Stuart has previously been a parent governor, community

governor and Chair of Governors at a small primary school

and a parent governor at a large secondary school.

TRUSTEE

Mrs C. Root

Term of Office:  12/04/2021 - 03/04/2025

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.

TRUSTEE

Mrs S. Skinner

Term of Office:   - 

TRUSTEE

Mrs T. Thompson

Term of Office:  07/09/2022 - 06/06/2026

TRUSTEE

Mr C. Todd

Term of Office:  09/11/2020 - 08/11/2024

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.