MEMBERS

Term of office 01/09/2016 - 23/4/2023

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 undertook 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 04/07/2020  - Present

Tim was a Headteacher in Nottingham City before becoming Principal of Thomas Estley Community College in 2000.  He remained as Principal until his retirement in 2016.  During this period the College gained an "Outstanding" Ofsted judgement, became a founder member of the Thomas Estley Learning Alliance (TELA) and became an academy.  Tim is a National Leader of Education and has supported a number of schools, primary and secondary, nationally.  During recent years this work has included: supporting Primary and Secondary schools in South Yorkshire, developing leadership capabilities in senior and middle leaders and raising standards through lesson observation.  He is a CPD provider with particular focus on senior and middle leadership development, Governor training and strategies to improve the quality of teaching and learning.  In particular, Tim has facilitated NPQH, NPQSL and NPQML courses, writing and delivering the courses in Doncaster, Sheffield, Barnsley and Rotherham.  For several years Tim led subject leader training for Leicestershire schools.  Tim as been a contributor to national conferences and is the author of "The Big Questions Answered: A guide for New School Leaders".

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 01/07/2020 - 30/06/2024

Chris Southwell MBA, BEng (Hons), MIET

Chris is an experienced business professional with passion for UK products and services and a legacy of delivering business development and change programmes across marketing, product development, manufacturing, distribution, IT systems and customer service functions. Presently working with an automation and systems integration specialist in Food & Drink and Parcel Distribution sectors, Chris recognises the apparent skills shortage and the need for business leaders to take up direct action to resolve. He is active in promoting deeper links between commerce and the education sector through close contact with apprenticeship programmes at local FE providers, involvement in local government Careers & Enterprise initiatives and more broadly through his role as regional and branch Chair for a prominent national trade association. 

Coventry born and educated, Chris has lived in Leicestershire for the past 20-years and developed a strong sense of belonging to his local community. A father of four near grown-ups, he is these days an ever-enthusiastic cyclist, touring the county's quieter lanes to discover the many pleasant towns and villages in the area with ambitions to tour more widely in Europe.

Term of office 31/03/2022 - 30/03/2026

Graham Smith FCCA, CMgr, FCMI, CILEX Practitioner (ACCA Probate)   

  Graham is a Chartered Certified Accountant, Chartered Manager and a CILEX authorised probate practitioner. He runs a small accountancy and business advisory firm, based just outside Leicester, providing a wide range of accountancy, tax and business/financial advisory services to SMEs and High Net Worth individuals, throughout the UK and beyond.     

Having left school at 16 with fairly average O levels and no career plans, Graham was fortunate enough to find himself guided towards professional qualifications by a workplace mentor and as such he is a firm believer in the power of education to transform lives, whether that be at school or subsequently.     Alongside running his own practice Graham acts as an advisor to other practitioners and as a mentor to early career accountants. He has also considerable experience of working with charities, both in his professional capacity and as a trustee (and inevitably treasurer) and has also been a school governor.