The Board of Trustees is strategic in function, providing overall leadership for the Trust and therefore for the schools without being involved in or responsible for the day-to-day management. As set out in the Academy Trust Handbook, the purpose of the Trust Board is to provide:
- Strategic leadership of the Academy Trust: the Board defines the Trust vision for high quality and inclusive education in line with its charitable objects. It establishes and fosters the Trust’s culture and sets and champions the Trust strategy including determining which governance functions are delegated to the local tier.
- Accountability and assurance: the Board has robust effective oversight of the operations and performance of the Academy Trust, including the provision of education, pupil welfare, overseeing and ensuring appropriate use of funding and effective financial performance and keeping their estate safe and well maintained.
- Engagement: the Board has strategic oversight of relationships with stakeholders. The Board involves parents, schools and communities so that decision-making is supported by meaningful engagement.
The Board is supported by three sub-committees in addition to the Local Academy Councils: Education, Audit, Risk & Finance and HR & Pay.
As a Multi Academy Trust, the Board is responsible for all Academies in the Trust. We exercise this responsibility by delegating functions to the Local Academy Councils, Executive Team and Headteachers through the Scheme of Delegation.
Board of Directors
Catherine Canty LLB (Hons) – Chair
Kate is currently the Clerk to the Lord-Lieutenant of the West Midlands which involves working with the business and voluntary sectors across the region, participating in civic activities, acting as liaison with the armed forces and supporting Royal visits to the County.
A qualified solicitor with over 20 years in commercial property law, subsequently becoming a business and property consultant, Kate has a strong background in constitutional law and governance.
Kate has had various voluntary positions in the employment and skills sector in Birmingham and is currently a director of Millennium Point which promotes education in the field of innovation and technology.
Helen Redican
Helen has worked both within schools and as a school improvement advisor for many years, supporting schools that need rapid improvement. She has considerable expertise in the evaluation of educational standards across a range of settings, leadership and governance of schools of all phases and types, early years provision and partnership working with local authorities and officers of the DFE.
Helen is currently the Chair of the Education Committee.
Paul Roberts BA PGCE M Ed.
Paul was a teacher and head teacher for many years in special schools. Having been a National Leader of Education, he has carried out school improvement consultancy in several special schools and several SEND reviews in mainstream schools on behalf of Brays Teaching School Alliance and the Birmingham Education Partnership (BEP). He served on the BEP School Improvement Advisory Committee for six years. He joined the Hallmoor IEB in 2015 and has chaired the Hallmoor Local Academy Council since 2017. He has also served as a governor in two other special schools.
Paul believes in the values of the Forward Education Trust and want to help it to raise the aspirations of our pupils and their families and to support them in achieving them. He also wants to contribute to empowering staff and governors in our schools.
Mark Morgan MA (Cantab) MRICS
Mark is a Chartered Surveyor with forty years’ experience in the UK and mainland European property industry as both an advisor and principal.
As a board member and senior executive, Mark has been heavily involved in formulating the strategic direction of organisations at both corporate and asset level, implementing business plans, setting key performance indicators, risk control and management as well as managing the process of delivery.
Mark believes strongly in the values and aspirations of the Trust welcomes the opportunity to assist in delivering its vision.
Paul Joesbury
Paul is an experienced Commercial & Finance Director who has worked in the industry for 30 years. Paul has been a Director of an Education Trust since 2020, and is passionate about providing school children with the skills required in a modern world.
Paul is currently the Chair of the Audit, Risk and Finance Committee.
Leanne Mahony
Leanne brings a wealth of experience and a deep passion for working with children, ensuring they receive the highest quality education and support. Leanne is committed to fostering exceptional educational environments which align perfectly with the Trust’s objectives and is eager to contribute her expertise to support its vision and mission. Leanne chose to become a Trustee because she is driven by a dedication to excellence and a strong belief in the Trust’s potential to create transformative educational experiences for all pupils.
Everton Burke OBE DL FCFE
Everton has worked in the FE sector for some 40 years, undertaking a variety of roles. He began as an apprentice chef, then lecturer, middle manager, senior leader and governor of a general further education college.
He has worked at national level advising the Department for Education (DfE) in matters of hospitality and catering qualifications. He has also worked internationally through a European Union (EU) funded project with partners from 5 countries.
Everton set up and ran a successful language school in partnership with a local education authority. He is an education consultant and mentors middle and senior leadership staff in the FE sector in colleges, private training providers and local authorities.
Paul McManus BA (Hons)
Paul has spent over three decades working within the pharmaceutical and healthcare industry, developing his expertise in leading and coaching teams, strategic planning, marketing, and business management. Paul comes from a family deeply involved in education, instilling in him the importance of providing every child with the best possible opportunities to reach their true potential. With a passion for supporting educational causes, Paul is keen to leverage his skills and experience to support Forward Education Trust in achieving its goals. Using his professional expertise, Paul aims to make a meaningful contribution to the trust, helping to shape a brighter future for students, staff and communities alike.
Register of Business and Pecuniary Interest
Please see below our Register of Pecuniary and Business Interests for all members of the Board of Trustees of Forward Education Trust (FET), and for the CEO/Accounting Officer.