Governance
As a Trust we place a high value on good governance, believing that it is an essential part of our strategy to deliver the best possible education for our children and young people. Our governance structure is designed to place decision-making as close to schools as possible, empowering governors and staff. Trustees recognise that their duties and responsibilities underpin the Trust’s work and safeguard pupils, students, and staff. The Scheme of Delegation offers an appropriate balance between the delegation of powers and responsible oversight.
It is important that we ensure our schools are delivering an education underpinned by the vision and values developed through our Trust. Governance committees keep a strong focus on our values as we support our schools and the trust in delivering our strategic objectives. Through strong governance, we aim to deliver our vision for Central Region Schools Trust.
Declarations of Business Interest, Attendance and Terms of office:
Trustees:
| Name | Appointing Body | Term of Office Start | Term of Office End | Role/s | Business and Pecuniary Interests 2025-2026 | Meetings attended 2024-2025 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Orla MacSherry
|
Member
Appointed
|
21.03.23 |
20.03.27 |
Chair to Trustees and Member
|
Member Admissions Appeals & Member Exclusion Appeals Board London Borough of Islington. 21.03.23 |
6/6 |
| Christopher Smith | Member Appointed |
19.06.23 |
18.06.27 |
Trustee/Education & Standards Committee Member |
Bromsgrove Institute Trust- Trustee. 16.06.23 Bromsgrove Rotary Club. 01.01.18 Interim Executive Board Stourport high school and sixth form. 01.09.24 The Spire Church of England Learning Trust. 09.04.25 |
7/8 |
| Claire Grainger | Member Appointed |
04.09.23 |
03.09.27 |
Trustee/Education & Standards Committee Member |
Fioretti Trustee (CEO). 04.09.23 Professional link; Browne Jacobson employee Chair to Fioretti Trust. |
7/9 |
| Eric Griffiths | Member Appointed |
29.11.22 |
28.11.26 |
Vice Chair to Trustees/HR Committee Member | None | 6/8 |
| Gareth Bower | Member Appointed |
04.01.23 |
03.01.27 |
Trustee/Finance & Resources Committee Chair | None | 9/9 |
| John Howard | Member Appointed |
30.03.22 |
29.03.26 |
Trustee/Audit & Risk Committee Chair/Remuneration Committee Chair | None | 8/8 |
|
Nasa Ahmed
|
Member
Appointed
|
09.01.25 |
08.01.29 |
Trustee/Finance & Resources Committee Member
|
None | 4/4 |
| Nicholas Clifford | Member Appointed |
10.01.24 |
09.01.28 |
Trustee/Education & Standards Committee Chair /Remuneration Committee |
Local Government Intellectual Capital (Logic) Ltd Charter Management Institute (Member) 10.1.20 Royal Society of Arts (Fellow) Honorary Research Fellow, Alliance Manchester Business School, University of Manchester. 01.08.24 |
11/11 |
|
Richard Davies |
Member
Appointed
|
10.03.25 |
09.03.29 |
Trustee/ A&R Committee | Director RMD Electrical Ltd. 10.03.25 | 2/3 |
| Sumandeep Harris | Member Appointed |
18.03.25 |
17.03.25 |
Trustee/ HR Committee | University of Suffolk Students Union 20.02.24 | 1/2 |
| Guy Shears | N/A |
01.09.12 |
N/A |
Executive Principal (CEO) Accounting Officer |
Board Member Active Black Country. Jan 24 Moseley Ashfield Cricket Club. 2004 Ofsted Inspector. Sept 2021 Brother Blacksmith supplier On the Partnership board for: 2021 Prince Henry’s Teaching School Hub, Prince Henry’s, Evesham Haybridge Teaching School Hub, Haybridge, Hagley. Aequalis Education Trust |
11/11 |
Members:
| Name | Position | Date Appointed | Business and Pecuniary Interests 2025-2026 | Meetings attended 2024-2025 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Malcolm Forbes | Member | 13/07/18 |
Regenesys Ltd Phoenix Facilities and Services Ltd Dunraven Educational Trust Trustee, Royal Society of Arts, RSPB Spouse, Local Councillor London Borough of Lambeth. |
1/1 |
| Orla MacSherry | Member | 13/12/23 |
Member Admissions Appeals & Member Exclusion Appeals Board London Borough of Islington
|
1/1 |
| Sue Horner | Member | 23/03/23 |
Trusteeships: First Story, A Partner in Education, Northern College. |
1/1 |
| Susan Hind-Woodward | Member | 13/07/18 |
Cathedral Music Trust |
1/1 |
Historic Trustees: (Left within last 12 months)
| Name | Appointed | Stepped Down |
| Elizabeth Keates | 20/09/21 | 10/03/25 |
Historic Members: (Left within last 12 months)
| Name | Stepped Down |
| William Adams | 20.03.2025 |
Are you enthusiastic about education and offering the best life chances to young people?
If so, the Central Region Schools Trust has a number of vacancies and is seeking high calibre, committed Local Academy Trust Governors and Trustees to strengthen its Trust Board and Local Academy Governing Boards (LAGBs).
The Central Region Schools Trust is a multi-academy sponsor with a mission to transform the life chances of the young people and their families in supporting social justice through exceptional schools.
As a Trust we place a high value on good governance, believing that it is an essential part of our strategy to deliver the best possible education for our children and young people. We have sought to create a clear governance structure that places both Trustees and Local Trust Governors in a position to work to deliver our Trust values and distinctive culture in supporting its People, Places and Processes.
Volunteering as a Trustee or Trust Governor is a great opportunity to gain school leadership experience at board level, as well as transferable skills that enhance performance and employability. Most of all, you will have the satisfaction of making a real difference to our young people’s lives and helping them to realise their potential.
As holders of a public office Trustees and Trust Governors should be aware of the Nolan principles of public life selflessness, integrity, objectivity, accountability, openness, honesty and leadership.
Trustees are particularly keen to hear from individuals who can help the board achieve its mission of ensuring its board represents a diverse range of cultures and backgrounds and for individuals to be reflective of the communities we serve.
To be eligible to volunteer with our Trust you need:
- To be aged 18 or over with satisfactory DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) clearances and references, inline with Safer Recruitment in Education/Safeguarding and child protection.
- Not to be disqualified under the relevant rules of conflict, safeguarding and procedures (shared upon application).
- Be aware of the need to time commit ( for Trustees: 6x Trust Board meetings, 3x Committee meetings, Trustee links to schools, For Local Trust Governors – 5x Local meetings/link visits to schools).
If this sounds like an opportunity you are interested in and if you are able to commit the time to help deliver the Trust’s vision then please contact us: governance@CRST.org.uk