Jay is Chair of Trustees and an experienced Independent Financial Adviser. He became an authorised and regulated Financial Adviser in 2002 before establishing his own financial services company in 2005. One and All Financial Services now operates from four offices across the UK. Jay brings extensive expertise in financial planning for individuals and businesses, including mortgages, pensions, retirement planning, cashflow management and insurance, alongside considerable experience of leading and growing a successful business.

Darren is Vice Chair of Trustees and an accomplished property and estates professional with more than 20 years of experience in senior roles across banking and retail. He brings extensive expertise in real estate management, facilities, procurement and construction, with a strong track record of delivering major programmes, improving value and strengthening organisational practice. Darren also has significant experience in assurance, regulatory compliance and risk oversight, providing valuable expertise in the effective management and development of the Trust’s estate. Outside work, he enjoys family time, long-distance running and volunteering in his community.

Sarah is Director of Governance, Risk and Assurance at Greater Manchester Combined Authority and has extensive experience of leading internal audit, risk and assurance functions across local government, transport and emergency services. Before moving into the public sector, she spent more than 20 years with a Big Four professional services organisation in assurance and advisory roles spanning both the private and public sectors. Sarah is Chair of the Trust’s Audit and Risk Committee and brings considerable expertise in governance, risk management and organisational assurance, alongside previous experience within further education and early years governance.

Penny is an experienced human resources professional with more than 30 years’ experience and is currently Head of People Partnering and Employee Relations within a Trust providing specialist education, residential care and community services. Her expertise spans recruitment and retention, employee engagement, employee relations, wellbeing, equality, diversity and inclusion, compliance and safeguarding. Penny also brings considerable educational governance experience, having served as a parent governor and, for several years, as Chair of Governors at Disley Primary School. As a Trustee and Chair of the Trust’s People Committee, Penny brings extensive expertise in workforce strategy and governance, with a strong commitment to ensuring that colleagues are supported to provide the best possible education and care for children and young people.

Richard is a highly experienced solicitor who qualified in 1988 and has worked both in City law firms and as a senior in-house lawyer across a range of businesses, including seven years within the education sector. He is currently General Counsel at a UK-listed company based in Wilmslow. Richard brings extensive legal and governance expertise to the Trust and has served as Company Secretary for listed and private companies since 1997, giving him considerable experience of effective corporate governance, regulatory matters and organisational oversight.

John is an experienced Audit Partner at RSM, providing accounting, audit and assurance services to organisations across the not-for-profit and corporate sectors. A Chartered Accountant since 2008, John has worked extensively with not-for-profit organisations throughout his career and leads RSM’s not-for-profit offering across the North of England. He brings significant financial, audit and assurance expertise to the Trust and is passionate about using his professional experience to support an ambitious local organisation. John lives locally in Romiley and enjoys spending time with his wife and two daughters, as well as walking and cycling.

Following a successful career in technology and business leadership, Jo is now transitioning into secondary education through a PGCE in Mathematics, building on three years of experience tutoring GCSE Maths. She brings extensive experience of leadership, coaching, problem-solving and working with people from diverse backgrounds, alongside a strong commitment to making mathematics accessible, engaging and confidence-building for young people. As a Trustee, Jo combines considerable professional and leadership experience with a developing career in education, bringing a valuable perspective to the Trust’s wider educational leadership and governance.

James is a highly experienced educationalist and currently a Senior Lecturer in Primary Education and Departmental Education Lead within the School of Education at Manchester Metropolitan University. He holds a Doctorate in Education, a Master’s in Educational Leadership and the National Professional Qualification for Headship, alongside postgraduate qualifications in primary teaching and teaching in higher education. Before moving into higher education, James spent 13 years as a headteacher, leading both a primary school in Stockport and a British international school in Malaysia. He brings extensive expertise in school leadership, teacher education and educational improvement to the Trust.

Claire is an experienced infrastructure and leadership professional with a career spanning more than 25 years. She has held senior roles with leading contractors, developers and professional services organisations, including Laing O’Rourke, Mace, EY, Deloitte and KPMG, working across sectors including transport, utilities, health, aviation, education and government. Claire now leads her own leadership advisory business and is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Building, a Visiting Professor at the University of Salford and an internationally accredited Executive Coach. She brings extensive expertise in organisational transformation, leadership, infrastructure and strategic growth to the Trust.