I have recently been appointed as PACE Academy Trust’s Chief Executive Officer. I feel privileged to be leading such a flourishing trust, where the schools work so closely in partnership, whilst remaining vibrant and creative settings in their own right. At PACE, we value the opportunity to work in collaboration with each other, rather than being uniform in our approach. Our schools are diverse in size, context and locality and we use this diversity to learn from each other: this is what makes PACE a special place to work.
I have worked as a senior leader in a range of schools across Croydon, Surrey and Sutton, including roles within other MATs. This breadth of experience has provided me with insight into the vast achievements that are accomplished by schools, as well as the challenges that different settings face. My role as an executive leader for a local multi academy trust provided an opportunity to see ‘first hand’ what can be achieved by a group of schools working in partnership towards the same goals; the NPQEL qualification that I achieved in 2019 embedded this further.
I am passionate about inclusion, the UNICEF rights of the child and ensuring all learners appreciate the value of diversity and understand the importance of equality. As the CEO of PACE, I aim to ensure that every child receives an excellent educational experience that helps them to achieve their potential and be the best that they can be.
As Chief Operating Officer I lead operational functions ranging from the management and development of our sites through to the HR policies for our staff- across all of our schools.
I joined the PACE Academy Trust in November 2018 following a varied career in the Civil Service working in leadership roles across policing, counter-terrorism and recruitment. I am motivated by the impact that high quality education can have on young lives and enjoy the tangible impact of working to deliver a public service. I am proud to be a governor at Stanford Primary School.
I joined Keston Primary School as Head Teacher in 2009 having moved through a number of roles in a primary school in the north of the Croydon borough; these roles included; class teacher; maths and PHSE subject leader; Advanced Skilled Teacher supporting other schools in the borough; Deputy Head; and a secondment as acting head teacher to another Croydon School.
Over my time in teaching, I have recognised how collaborative working can be a catalyst for positive change; raising standards in teaching and learning and improving outcomes for the children. Therefore, having led Keston for nine years, I welcomed the opportunity to not only continue working with the children and staff Keston but also to extend my role to Chipstead Valley Primary and across the Trust as Executive Head.
I am a qualified Chartered Accountant with over 30 years’ experience working in audit and SME companies. My career has extended across a number of sectors and has included leadership roles in finance and HR. I enjoy using my skills in the local community having been a treasurer of a local pre-school for a number of years and a governor of a local infant school for 8 years.
I joined PACE Academy Trust in 2015, one year after the Trust was formed. My role as Head of Finance and Chief Financial Officer is to support the Chief Executive and Headteachers and to lead the five schools in the Trust to ensure that the Trust’s finances comply with the requirements of the Academies Financial Handbook. I enjoy the challenges and variety that this role offers and am very proud to be working for PACE Academy Trust.
