Alison Anderson has over 30 years working in education, 14 of which she has been the CEO of a Standalone Academy Trust and more recently ACT Multi Academy Trust.  She has had an extensive career in education, during which she has been an Advanced Skills Teacher, Senior Leader, Headteacher of a number of schools, LLE and NLE.  She has worked in a number of Local Authorities from Westminster, Newham through to Cambridgeshire.  During her time as a CEO she has also led a Teaching School and been deployed on numerous occasions as a National Leader for Education.  She has worked for the Diocese of Ely as an Educational Advisor and continues to work closely with the Diocese on many aspects of their Church Schools Agenda.  She is currently a representative on the Schools Forum. 

Whatever role Alison has held, she always puts the pupils in her care at the forefront of her decisions. Her own education and life experiences have shown her the importance of a nurturing environment, where talented teachers, inspiring leaders, and compassionate role models encourage every individual to thrive. A quality education unlocks doors and creates opportunities and this is her goal for every child within our Trust. She fundamentally believes that our role as educators is to help children and young people overcome barriers, ignite a love of learning, and nurture their ambition.

With over 20 years of dedicated experience in education, Rebecca has established a profound commitment to nurturing the potential of every child, especially those with additional needs. Beginning as a teacher and progressing to the role of assistant headteacher, Rebecca has cultivated a rich understanding of the diverse challenges faced in the classroom.

As a Special Educational Needs and Disabilities Coordinator (SENDCo) for the past decade, Rebecca completed the NASENCO award in 2018, further solidifying a passion for creating inclusive learning environments. Rebecca believes that every child deserves a creative and adaptive approach to learning, emphasising the importance of tailoring teaching methods to meet individual needs.

Having successfully led a large primary school's SEND department, characterised by a high level of complex needs, Rebecca takes pride in the transformative impact made within the school community. Now serving as the Director of Inclusion and Safeguarding, Rebecca is driven by a vision to further enhance educational practices across the Trust, ensuring that all children within our settings flourish in their learning journeys.

With a warm and compassionate demeanour, Rebecca continues to inspire colleagues and students alike, championing a future where every child's unique strengths are recognised and celebrated.

As Director of Education at ACT Multi Academy Trust, Bridget Harrison brings over two decades of dedicated experience across all levels of education. Beginning her career as a teaching assistant and wrap-around care manager, Bridget has since held pivotal roles in Suffolk and Cambridgeshire schools, progressing to SENDCo, deputy head, and headteacher. Her leadership has spanned inner-city and rural schools, where she has consistently demonstrated a commitment to inclusive education and whole-school improvement.

Bridget has led as headteacher in three schools, a role in which she worked tirelessly to raise educational standards, enhance pupil outcomes, and ensure high expectations for all. In her subsequent work as one of His Majesty’s Inspectors in the East of England, Bridget conducted detailed inspections across various school types, trained school leaders, and quality-assured the work of other inspectors. Her national consultancy work in school leadership and curriculum development has further strengthened her strategic approach, equipping her with the insight to support both current and future leaders across ACT.

At ACT, Bridget is dedicated to creating a collaborative culture of excellence, where rigorous standards in teaching, leadership, and pupil wellbeing are at the core. She works closely with school leaders, facilitating professional development and supporting aspirational target-setting, to ensure each ACT school is equipped to deliver a high-quality education that empowers pupils for lifelong learning. Bridget is an active member of professional organisations such as the Confederation of School Trusts and Whole Education, through which she engages in continuous development to bring innovative, research-based practices into the Trust.

Bridget is proud to serve as Director of Education at ACT, where she continues her mission of raising standards and providing every pupil with an enriching educational experience that prepares them to make meaningful contributions to their communities.

Amy brings 5 years of financial management experience, specifically in the education sector. Starting as an admin and finance assistant, Amy quickly developed her career and became a School Business Manager, moving onto CFO. Prior to Education, she worked in retail management for 16 years developing many transferable skills in people management, premises management, budgets, finance and HR. She now runs the operational side of the trust with a more strategic hat on and is passionate about ensuring that all children have an equal opportunity whichever school they attend.

Amy lives with her two teenage children, husband and dog. She is currently developing her professional qualifications further by studying for accountancy qualifications. This will enhance her understanding and build strong foundations for the trust to grow. 

An experienced and strategic Estates Director with over 19 years of leadership in property and facilities management within the education sector. Skilled in overseeing the operational and strategic aspects of the physical estates of a multi-academy trust (MAT), ensuring that all school buildings and facilities are safe, efficient, and fit for purpose.

Adept at managing a wide range of responsibilities including capital development, maintenance, health and safety, and compliance, while delivering value for money and supporting the educational goals of the trust.

A collaborative leader with a strong ability to work alongside senior leadership teams, governors, and external contractors to drive sustainable solutions for estate management. Known for proactive planning, budget management, and a track record of successfully delivering on complex property projects, from new school builds to major refurbishments. Dedicated to creating environments that support the learning and wellbeing of students and staff.

With over 12 years of experience in various support and management roles in education, Michelle has used her qualifications and passion to further understand the links between children’s physical, mental and emotional wellbeing and recognises the importance of a holistic approach in supporting children to help improve behaviour and attendance in school. As a Trauma Informed and Licensed Thrive Practitioner she has many years of experience to offer our schools in supporting good attendance and behaviour culture across the Trust.

After taking the lead role in developing Pastoral care for our children across all key stages, Michelle developed the Home School Hub at Buckden CE Primary School, which is a unique provision providing specialist support and therapies for children and their families. As a trained Family Support Worker, Michelle has used her natural ability to network with Multi-agencies and signpost our families for early support. Michelle’s direct involvement with supporting our more vulnerable children and their families led to her receiving the Carer Friendly Tick Award in Education.

In her role as Director of Attendance, her commitment and drive to working alongside children and families to support wellbeing and attendance is driven by her passion to ensure equal opportunities and inclusion for all children.

Kim brings over 30 years of diverse experience in education, building upon a solid foundation from her previous career in banking. Throughout her extensive tenure, she has held a variety of roles that showcase her versatility and dedication. Starting as a Teaching Assistant, Kim developed a passion for supporting students and enhancing their learning experiences. She advanced her career by taking on additional responsibilities as a Learning Support professional, where she provided assistance to those with specific educational needs.

As her expertise grew, Kim transitioned into administrative roles, ultimately becoming a School Business Manager. In this capacity, she honed her skills in managing school operations, budgeting, and strategic planning, while ensuring compliance with relevant regulations. Kim has significant experience with recruitment; she is well-versed in Safer Recruitment practices, having successfully led the hiring processes for numerous educational staff.

Currently, Kim is expanding her professional qualifications by pursuing a CIPD qualification in People Practice, which will enhance her understanding of human resources within the educational context. She has a deep-seated interest in promoting staff wellbeing, which is reflected in her training as a Senior Mental Health Lead and a Mental Health First Aider. Through these roles, Kim advocates for mental health awareness and support within educational settings, aiming to create a positive and nurturing environment for both staff and students alike.