A Cambridge economics graduate with almost thirty years’ experience in retail and commercial banking, David then successfully changed career and has spent the last six years at a senior level in social housing. During this time, David completed a postgraduate diploma in Management Science at Durham University

For the last eighteen years, David has specialised in customer service and customer experience and firmly believes these are transferable skills with relevance to schools.

A keen volunteer, David takes an active part in his local community, having been a Churchwarden, pre-school treasurer and volunteer driver. Currently a PCC member (9+ years), Foundation Governor (c.13 years), treasurer of a large secondary school’s PTA (7+ years) and the two thousand member Great Ouse Boating Association.

Married, a family man with teenage daughters at university and studying for GCSE’s, and with a keen enjoyment of boating on the local river, David also spends time looking after elderly relatives.

Dr Simon Hughes has been involved in education for close to 40 years. He began as a RE teacher in Bedfordshire. He has been a university lecturer in initial teacher training, a self-employed consultant, one of Her Majesty's Inspectors, a director of education in a Diocese, and now acts as an advisor to schools and multi-academy trusts. He specialises in supporting schools with section 48 (SIAMS) inspections. He has worked in all phases of education from the early years through to supporting doctoral students. Simon is a lifelong supporter of Crystal Palace Football Club, is a very amateur gardener and music enthusiast.

Sarah has been in education for 28 years. She has had 4 headships in large Primary schools, one of those being in Saudi Arabia. Sarah has a MSc in educational leadership in addition to the National Professional Qualification for Headship. Sarah had 4 years’ experience as the COO of a large Multi Academy Trust- DEMAT, which she helped to grow from 2 to 34 schools. She then became the CEO of Campfire Education Trust, a MAT with responsibility for 6 Primary schools. In this role she also provided support to schools outside the MAT.

After 3 years with Campfire, in April 2022 Sarah became the Deputy Director of Education for the Diocese of Ely. She is also currently the Chair of Members for Consortium Trust a MAT which is based in Suffolk.

A law graduate who decided to qualify as a Primary school teacher. Caroline worked as a teacher in both Essex and Suffolk. In 1987 she was appointed as Headteacher of Lawshall Primary School in Suffolk, where she oversaw major renovations to and extension of the school building and the amalgamation with a neighbouring school. Her focus was to draw together the parents and pupils of both schools.

She was appointed Headteacher Abbots Hall Primary School Stowmarket in Suffolk 1994. During that time she trained as an Ofsted inspector and worked on a number of inspections across the country.

Whilst working as a Headteacher she had two secondments. The first as Teacher Recruitment Officer coordinating a team to help Suffolk attract the best graduates to the county. Later she was seconded as a Primary Schools Adviser working with schools on school improvement and preparation for inspection.

In 2001 she was appointed Senior Education Officer for Special Educational Needs Suffolk. She then moved in to the voluntary sector in 2003 when she was appointed Head of Children’s and Young People’s Services for Scope, her responsibilities were to line manage the charity’s schools and colleges across the country, working with them to improve outcomes for pupils and students.

In 2011 she was appointed Education Adviser Special Educational Needs Cambridgeshire and then became Senior Education Adviser Special Educational Needs Cambridgeshire in 2014

She retired January 2017. She is an active member of the community and has been both Chair and Vice Chair of the Parish Council as well as a Governor of Buckden School.

Jes was Priest in Charge of St Mary’s Buckden and a Foundation Governor of Buckden Academy from 2015-2021, having previously enjoyed a career in the insurance claims industry, latterly handling major claims involving corporations and professional service firms. As a governor he assisted Senior Management of Buckden Academy in the development of the vision that guides the curriculum of the Academy, and with the work that led to the award of an outstanding grade by SIAMS in 2017.

Currently he is the Priest in Charge of 3 villages in north Bedfordshire and a Governor of a Federation of two small village schools (one of which is a church school). He therefore has insight into working with staff and governors in dealing with the particular issues that arise in running small schools.

I am a qualified independent School Governance Professional, supporting a wide range of Schools and Academies across England. I have 23 years’ experience working in educational settings including the Local Authority. 

I am based in Cambridgeshire (Peterborough) and also work with schools in neighbouring authorities such as Lincolnshire, Hertfordshire, Bedfordshire, Northamptonshire and London. I work closely with School and Trust leaders as well as Governance Professionals, providing a specialist service in all aspects of Governance - including coaching and preparing boards for Ofsted.

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I have written articles for The Key and GovernorHub as associate governance expert and co-host podcasts with The NGA. I also write my own Governance newsletter (Governance Updates) for School Leaders and Governors. 

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I am a member of a number of recognised Professional Bodies and Clerking Networks enabling me to have access to the most up to date training, resources and statutory information. 

Jon joined the Board of ACT in September 2024, when he took up the post of Director of Education for the Diocese of Ely. In this role, he leads a team that help to deliver the educational priorities of the Diocese, including in relation to its multi-academy trusts. 

Following periods working as an army officer, a management accountant and an economist at the House of Commons, Jon turned to teaching and spent 15 years in the independent sector teaching maths and economics. Immediately prior to joining the Diocese of Ely, he was the Academic Deputy Head at the Stephen Perse school in Cambridge. He is also a Senior Examiner for AQA. He is a Trustee of Lyn's House, Cambridge, a community of life-enhancing friendship amongst people with, and people without, intellectual disabilities.

Jon read Economics at Cambridge University and more recently completed an MEd degree in Educational Leadership & School Improvement

Dominic is a Chartered Accountant with a background in finance, risk and governance. He trained in a top 20 accounting firm, primarily focused on audit where he worked with several academy trusts. Following this, he moved into the financial services industry working in the finance department for a FTSE listed wealth manager. He subsequently joined a leading asset manager where he currently holds the position of Financial Controller.

Having grown up and attended schools in Hertfordshire, he now lives with his wife, cat and dog in Bedfordshire. When not travelling abroad on beach holidays or road trips, his spare time is spent playing guitar, running, or watching football as a lifelong Chelsea supporter.