I have worked in education since 1990, in schools across South Tyneside, Durham, and Northumberland.

I have over 13 years experience in Senior Management, including 8 years as Principal of an Outstanding secondary school. In 2014, I was designated as a National Leader of Education by the Department for Education.

I am passionate about improving the life chances of young people, as having been from a disadvantaged background myself, I understand how education can transform lives.

I am married with two children of secondary school age, both of whom are very keen on sports, so I spend much of my time outside of school at various sporting activities!

I am a lawyer and spent my legal career at Dickinson Dees LLP (latterly Bond Dickinson LLP) from 1989-2016 as a Disputes Resolution lawyer and Senior Partner working nationwide.

I am Chair of Newcastle Gateshead Initiative, the destination marketing organisation for Newcastle, Gateshead and the wider region. I am also Chair of Trustees of Newcastle United Foundation, Chair of the Regional Development Committee for Prince’s Trust, Council Member for North East England Chamber of Commerce and a member of the Advisory Board for Newcastle University Business School.

I am non-Executive Director of both North East Ambulance Service and North East England Chamber of Commerce. I am proud to serve as a Trustee of the NCEA Trust and am committed to ensuring that every child here gets the opportunity, and is encouraged, to achieve to their full potential.

I joined AkzoNobel in January 2013 as Head of Manufacturing for Ashington. Before joining AkzoNobel, I was a Plant Manager for Rio Tinto Alcan at the Aluminium Smelter in Ashington, where I worked for twelve years. Prior to this, I was a Navigator on Marine Exploration Vessels for six years, conducting surveys in various regions of the world.

I believe a sustainable culture for industry is built upon on a fundamental desire to learn and grow in a high challenge, high support environment. AkzoNobel recognised this culture in the Pitmen Painters which inspired them to invest in the North East and build upon the strong culture that already existed here. We need to encourage and inspire this culture within the next generation so that they are proud of our heritage in Northumberland and also proud of themselves, so they that have the confidence to believe they can succeed in whatever they choose.

I have been lucky enough to spend my career working with children; there is nothing more exciting and rewarding than helping learners develop into confident, mature, independent adults. I have held a number of different leadership roles in four large community schools, as well as carrying out both regional and national work in school improvement.

At Whitley Bay High School, I was Deputy Headteacher and Head of School when the school was judged outstanding in every measure by Ofsted. I led the bids for Specialist School and Teaching School status which were strategic drivers on the route to outstanding.

As Head of the Teaching School I was involved in training new entrants to the profession, as well as leadership development programmes. I also worked extensively supporting the leaders and governors of schools in challenging circumstances.

Following my retirement, I took on a regional role for All North Teaching Schools which has given me opportunities to work with National Leaders of Education involved in the DfE’s One Vision initiative and other raising achievement projects across the North East.

Having been a member of the AIB at Duke’s Academy since 2019, I was delighted to join the Trust Board and use my knowledge and experience of the educational world for the benefit of students, staff and parents across our family of schools.

Since completing my A-Levels at the Ashington based campus of the NCEA Trust in 2017, I have gone on to be one of the first Solicitor Apprentice’s in the UK.

I am currently working at Womble Bond Dickinson (UK) LLP, which although being a transatlantic firm, has a strong base in Newcastle. Once completing the 6 year apprenticeship (2017- 2023), I will be a qualified solicitor and hope to stay on with the firm to further develop my legal career.

I was delighted when I received the opportunity to become a Trustee as I believe that with my background, of being a former pupil and as someone who has grown up in Ashington, I will be able to bring a personal perspective to help support and raise the ambitions of the young people within the Trust.

I am Priest in Charge of Heddon-on-the-Wall, Matfen with Ryal and Stamfordham and also Diocesan Development Officer for Children and Youth Work and a member of the Diocese of Newcastle Board of Education. Throughout my ministry I have served in schools as Governor and have been a Chair of Governors since 2017.

I am honoured and delighted to be part of a Trust where students are enabled and encouraged to ‘Let their light shine’ (Matthew 5:16), and which believes in an education system that prepares students for success. It has been wonderful to be part of the NCEA as a Member for the last few years, but the time has come for me to become involved in a different capacity, and I am looking forward to being a Trustee.

I am married to Ron and we share our lives with our two dogs and love exploring Northumberland and beyond with them. We are also keen divers and enjoy learning more about the sport and discovering the world below the surface when we aren’t working.