MEMBERS

Term of office 01/09/2016 - Present

Tony is one of four Members of Success Academy Trust. Previously he was the Chair of the Governing Board of Hallbrook Primary School. 

Tony served as a teacher in state schools for thirty years. A Community College Principal in Leicestershire for twenty years, he also worked in local authority administration and advisory services. He has undertaken university tutoring, international consultancies and worked for the Department for Education and the Cabinet Office, individual and groups of schools, local authorities and non-profit organisations. He is a published author on school leadership, pupil assessment and community education. He is an elected member of the Governing Board of a Leicestershire Special School that holds the leadership of a national Teaching School. He chairs a co-operative and friendly society promoting performing arts by and for young people.

Term of office 16/11/2017 - Present

After eight years working in the third sector, Di created EmployabilityUK – a new education charity.  In her previous role, Di was responsible for developing Career Academies UK’s regional strategy and delivering the national programme. Having built a team of regional managers and taken the programme to all parts of the UK she then went on to become Director of Business Development.

Di has more than 25 years of corporate business experience from BT and O2, including delivering BT’s education and community programme in the Midlands. Di has held a number of volunteering roles including 6 years as a Special Constable with West Midlands Police.

Term of office 12/04/2021 - Present

Chris Freeman has worked in Education for over 30 years and has always been passionate about lifelong learning and Community Education. Qualifications include Bachelor of Education (honours) and Master of Arts in Education.

Chris initially taught Physical Education and Biology. She has worked in four different schools and spent two years in Canada line managing seven Out of School Clubs and Nurseries, training Adult Fitness Instructors and as Youth Programme Director.

Positions of responsibility include Head of Girl’s Physical Education, Lead for Expressive Arts and Head of Year 11.

Chris was Vice Principal at Thomas Estley Community College for over 18 years. She was a Governor at Hallbrook Primary School, responsible for Extended Services across the family of schools and South Leicestershire lead for Community Cohesion. She spent a summer teaching in both a school and orphanage in Malawi.

Currently, Chris is trustee of Cadeby Community Trust and an Associate Rotarian.

Term of office 24/09/2016 - 23/09/2024

As Managing Director of Ace Cleaning Company, for over 30 years I am responsible for the employment of over 200 staff. During this time, I have developed skills that range from Business Development, Health & Safety, Human Resources and Finance. In addition, I have also developed a property management and development concern along with associated skills.

I joined the Governing Body of Cosby Primary School in 2002 as a Parent Governor, becoming Chair of Governors in 2007. Being re-elected on several occasions I became a co-opted Governor in 2014. During my time as a Governor I have been involved in all areas of Governance. Been responsible for a number of subject areas as well as specific roles such as Safeguarding Governor, Health and Safety and Chair of Finance.

Working closely with the Headteacher and Senior Leadership team I have been instrumental in taking Cosby Primary School from “special Measures” to the position of strength we currently enjoy, producing some really exciting results.

A prime concern over the years has been developing a proactive and involved Governing Body. Ensuring that Governors take an active role helps to secure their understanding of our schools position and really know what is going on within the school first hand and not just relying on reports and data analysis. The whole of the Governing Body as well as staff at Cosby can take ownership for our successes in all areas. Undertaking regular review of our own governance and carrying out a full SWOT analysis during the current year has helped to develop knowledge and provide useful input to the school development plan.

During the years as a Governor I have accessed numerous training opportunities that have helped me to develop my knowledge base to the benefit of the school. These include a number of courses on Safeguarding, Safer Recruitment, Head Teacher Performance Management, E Safety, several Ofsted courses, British Values and many more.

Other personal qualification includes a Business Studies degree and AAT diploma in accountancy. 

Term of office 11/07/2018 - 10/07/2022

A pragmatic, strategic and commercially minded Chartered MCIPD Senior HR professional with a breadth of experience in HR and Learning & Development spanning 15 years, having worked across numerous industries and internationally.  Areas of expertise include organisational / talent & leadership development, coaching, mentoring, engagement & recognition, complex change management and project management.    

Born in Leicester, one of four children with an older son and eight nephews and nieces.  Interests include travel, learning, reading, live music, salsa dancing and spontaneous days out / weekends away.

Keen interest in supporting charities and giving back, i.e. right to read, interview techniques, graduate recruitment & programmes and National Citizen Service.

Term of office 07/01/2021 - 06/01/2025

Sally has extensive experience in finance and school business management gained over 29 years. She first began working with primaries, high schools and upper schools when Local Management in Schools (LMS) was first introduced.

Prior to August 2020 she fulfilled the roles of Trust Business Manager for Success Academy Trust and Business Manager for Cosby Primary school. During this time, she was able to make a major contribution to the strategic development of Cosby and be part of the forming of Success Academy Trust. She worked closely with the Trust Chief Finance Officer on areas including due diligence, centralisation of services and consolidation of accounts.

Sally is a Specialist Leader in Education (SLE) for TELA providing School to School support and is Co-Chair for the TELA Business Mangers/Leaders Network, supporting and working on collaboration with peers. She was also granted Fellowship status with the Institute of School Business Leaders (ISBL) in 2019 and has gained qualifications in school business management and accounting to level 7.

This knowledge and expertise along with her current role as Director of Finance and Operations at Wigston Academies Trust will, she hopes, allow her to make a valued contribution as Trustee to the life of Success Academy Trust.

Term of office 23/09/2019 - 22/09/2023

Born in West London and attended the local Comprehensive School where I achieved 5 grade A ‘Levels and A Levels in Pure Maths Chemistry and Physics before going to Reading University where I obtained B.Sc. Hons (First Class); Food Technology and later an MBA (With Distinction) from Warwick Business School ; I maintain my Chartered Scientist (C.Sci) and am a Fellow of the Institute of Food Science and Technology (FIFST)

After graduating I have worked in the food industry for 40 years first in food technical roles then process and product development / innovation and latterly in business development and commercial roles. Institute of Food Science and Technology, Board Member And Hon Secretary 2002 – 2012.s

After growing up in London my jobs have taken me to Ashby, Warwick / Stratford upon Avon, Oxfordshire, South Yorkshire and final Northampton. Married for almost 40 years with 2 Children, a daughter 32 and a son 28.

I am a member of the Rotary Club of Northampton and sit on West Hunsbury Parish Council

In business terms I would describe myself as 

A creative and innovative leader with deep strategic and operational insight and a track record of driving margins and turnover, effective customer interface management and business development with key strengths in:

Strategy • Business Development • Commercial & Customer Management • Process Improvement • Change

A passionate food industry expert with analytical and project management skills and proven aptitude in delivering turnarounds for challenged teams and organisations.  An open, approachable and flexible manager, who drives outcomes through team and individual development, building consensus, constructive challenge, analysis and creative solutions.