Lee Chapel MAT Board
Members and Trustees (4 + 9 Structure)
Outstanding Success through Partnership
MEMBERS
Mr Craig O’Callaghan
Member & Chair of Board
Mr O’Callaghan is Chief Operating Officer at the University of London. His role involves leading an operational service delivery to 54,000 students across the world. He has been working in education for the past 27 years and has operational, technological, legal and financial experience. Craig holds a BA in Humanities and has an MSc in Politics and Administration from Birkbeck College.
Mrs Joyce Waylett
Local Governing Body Lee Chapel Primary School & Nursery
Prior to her retirement she worked at Essex County Council in Education Services and has considerable experience in asset management and capital procurement. Joyce currently sits on the Local Authority admissions appeal panel.
Mrs Megan Jenkins
Chair of Governors Ryedene Primary School & Nursery
Megan currently works for Essex Governors Services following her retirement in 2013 as Headteacher of a local Primary School. Megan has experience as an Associate School Development Adviser for Essex Local Authority which complements her current role supporting Governing Bodies and Chairs of Governors across the county and beyond. Megan has a MEd degree from the University of Cambridge.
Mr Mike Smith
Chair of Governors Northlands Primary School & Nursery
Mike is currently in his second term of office as the Chair of Governors which commenced in 2010, he is committed to making a difference and believes that the pupils should be at the centre of all planning and decision making. Mike supports strong leadership and management as he feels they underpin successful teaching and learning and he is proud to have led a skilled and highly motivated governing body through the transition to becoming a Primary school. The excellent team work forged with the Headteacher and Senior Leaders provides a sound basis for academy status and the exciting opportunities that lay ahead for pupils, staff and parents.
Prior to retirement, Mike had two successful careers, one in psychiatry and a second more recently in human resources, having worked for the NHS in a London borough and in Essex. His core skills therefore, lie in personnel management, facilitation and human behaviour. When not attending to school business, Mike spends much of his time with his family, playing golf, and league table tennis.
Sandy Tomlinson
Appointed to the Trust in June 2019.
Mrs Tomlinson is a School Business Operations Consultant who has worked in Education over 7 years and has over twelves years experience as a school governor in both primary and secondary sectors. She has experience in Financial, Project and Facilities Management, Human Resources, Health & Safety and Procurement.
TRUSTEES
Susan (Sue) Jackson
Chief Executive Officer
Sue is the overall lead for the academies within the Trust. Working closely with the DfE, Regional Schools Commissioner and the Heads of Academies, her specific focus is to ensure that the Trust's strategies are realised.
Sue is a National Leader of Education and a trained Ofsted Inspector. Headteacher of Lee Chapel Primary (a National Support and Teaching School) for the past 19 years during which time she has, together with her ‘team’, supported schools across the Local Authority in her capacity as a school based Development Adviser, executive Headteacher of OFSTED category schools and a Leadership coach and new Headteacher mentor.
Michael Betteridge
Now retired but previously a Director of a Theatre Company.
Mike’s strengths are in business management and PR. He is analytical and is able to identify, assess and review key performance indicators. He is a local resident with a long-standing relationship with Lee Chapel as his children attended the school and now his Grandchildren currently attend. Since retiring Mr Betteridge has become heavily involved in devising and organising school drama performances and theatre workshops for Primary pupils across Essex.
Dermot Kavanagh
Vice Chair of Board and Chair of Lee Chapel Primary School & Nursery
Dermot is a qualified Financial Manager, experienced in building relationships in the commercial sector, who manages the office at a local firm of Solicitors dealing with the financial aspects of the firm. Experience gained from working for and with a range of companies and providing bespoke advice for a variety of organisations has proved useful to the board. has. Mr Kavanagh is customer focused, analytical and an effective communicator who prioritises the customer experience to ensure a world class service.
Steve Robson
Over 30 years’ experience of working within the retail trade as a Company Director.
He has proven financial, marketing and personnel experience and an understanding in business principles. Steve is currently working as a sport Groundsman and is actively involved in all aspects of school premises management, Health, Safety and Safeguarding at Greensted Junior School.
Alison Fiala
Lead Commissioner and Education Advisor
Appointed to the Trust in July 2015. Mrs Fiala is the Lead Commissioner and Education Advisor for Primary Mid Essex Standards and Excellence Team. Alison’s role within the Local Authority means that she has an extensive knowledge of education. Her long association with Basildon and her personal ethos resonates with that of the Lee Chapel MAT.
Roderick Pollington
Chair of Governors Greensted Infant School & Nursery
Appointed to the Trust in October 2018.
Grace Olugbodi
Chair of Governors Phoenix Primary School & Nursery
Appointed as Phoenix Chair of Governors October 2018
