Central Team (ID 1208)

• Michael Dodd
  CEO
  Michael Dodd

  Michael is the Chief Executive Officer of Horizon Academy Trust and was formerly the Executive Head Teacher of Biggin Hill and Cleeve Primary Schools. As an NLE he has provided extensive support to a number of schools, and facilitated both the NPQH and the NPQEL.

• Andy Rhodes
  Deputy CEO & School Improvement Lead
  Andy Rhodes

  Andy Rhodes is the School Improvement Lead and Deputy CEO of Horizon Academy Trust. Andy has extensive experience working alongside schools and school leaders to offer advice and support regarding school improvement models and pedagogy. Since 2014 Andy has worked as a National Leader of Education supporting the wider system and has supported many local schools to improve.

• Sarah Whiteley
  Chief Operations Officer
  Sarah Whiteley

  Sarah is the COO across the Trust managing all of the school estates, health and safety and catering.

• Matthew Soulby
  Senior IT Manager
  Matthew Soulby

  Matthew Soulby is the Senior IT Manager for Horizon Academy Trust. Matthew has over 19 years experience working in the education sector with experience in both primary and secondary schools.

  Matthew works closely with the schools to ensure ICT always moves forward providing them with a clear strategic plan covering all aspects of the school’s IT systems, working to improve service delivery this provides schools with a high IT availability enabling them to deliver outstanding teaching and learning across the Trust

• Stuart Clark
  Leader of Learning
  Stuart Clark

  Stuart Clark works with Horizon Schools and Leaders on a day to day basis to secure and support progress in all schools. He has previous experience as Head of School at Biggin Hill Primary School, helping it to secure "outstanding" during the inspection in 2015.

• Sophie Scott
  HR Adviser
  Sophie Scott

  Sophie provides HR leadership and support across the Trust. Previously Sophie worked for many years at the Local Authority providing support for schools across the city.

• Anne Caine
  Governance Professional
  Anne Caine

  Anne is a affiliated member of the Chartered Governance Institute, an active member of NGA Governance Professional network having sat as a panellist at the NGA annual conference and holds a legal practice certification. Anne has supported governance compliance across a range of sectors and has chosen to specialise in primary governance. Anne works with governors, trustees and head teachers to promote best governance practice.

• Judi Johnson
  Catering Manager
  Judi Johnson

  Judi has extensive experience working in high level catering operations, and uses her skills and experience to manage the kitchens across the Trust.

• Gemma Meyerhoff
  Catering Support
  Gemma Meyerhoff

  Gemma works with the staff across our school kitchens providing them with the support they need to ensure the delivery of high quality food to our children.

• Carla Varley
  HR Assistant & Learning Centre Co-ordinator
  Carla Varley

  Carla has extensive experience supporting schools with operational HR queries. Carla is responsible for the Learning Centre, and supports all employees to get the information that they need in relation to their continual professional development.

• Sarah Gant
  Trust Finance Support Officer
  Sarah Gant

  Sarah supports the CFO with the day to day running of the central finance services across the Trust. Sarah has extensive experience of supporting school business managers with financial queries.

• Claire Purdue
  Chief Financial Officer
  Claire Purdue

  Claire is an experienced CFO with hands on experience working as a Trust auditor for many years. Claire manages the strategic financial planning for the Trust, and works closely with the CEO, COO and trustees. Claire ensure that the financial management of the Trust supports every school to make effective financial decisions, that promote pupil attainment and an enriched curriculum offer.

Trustees (ID 1211)

• Michelle Kermeen
  Chair of Trustees
  Michelle Kermeen

  Term of Office - 1 May 2017 - 1 May 2025

  Appointed by - Members

  Michelle is currently Assistant Principal at a large secondary school and has been a senior leader for the last 8 years.

  Michelle has extensive experience working as a mentor to NQTs and staff. She has also worked closely with the University of Hull to develop their secondary ITT programme.

• Peter Greef
  Chair of the Audit and Risk Committee
  Peter Greef

  Term of Office - 1 May 2017 - 1 May 2025

  Appointed by - Members

  Peter has been a long standing school Governor (over 28 years) and latterly member of 2 Interim Executive Boards of Primary Schools placed in Special Measures, one of which is now judged Outstanding

  Now retired, Peter spent all of his working life connected with administration, funding and development of post-16 training and education, initially with the Dept. of Employment, then with various agencies of the Manpower Services Commission before taking up a position as Executive Finance Director with Humberside Training & Enterprise Council. Before retiring, he was involved in the appraisal and funding of large scale capital building projects within the Learning & Skills Council.

• Terry Dunn
  Terry Dunn

  Term of Office - 1 May 2017 - 1 May 2025

  Appointed by - Members

  Terry has spent his career working in the Private sector for several FTSE 100 companies in various capacities in the compensation and benefits arena. He is currently working on an organisational change management programme for Smith and Nephew plc.

  Terry is also a member of the Chartered Institute of Payroll Professionals and has a foundation degree in Payroll Management.

  Terry has been the Chair of Governors for a local primary school for fifteen years and previously was a member on the regional board of Young Enterprise.

• Hester Bridges
  Hester Bridges

  Term of Office - 11 September 2022- 11 September 2026

  Appointed by - Members

  Hester has spent over twenty years working in the third sector and local government, focused on improving wellbeing for individuals, families and communities in Hull.

  More recently, Hester has held senior leadership roles at Hull City Council. In her role as a city Councillor she is involved in improving outcomes for children, including being on the Corporate Parenting Board.

  As a Trustee, Hester will bring a special interest in health and wellbeing, thriving communities, and supporting those who need more support to achieve.

• Clare Campbell-Hamilton
  Clare Campbell-Hamilton

  Term of Office - 19 July 2021-20 July 2025

  Appointed by - Members

  Clare has over 18 years' teaching experience and completed her Primary PGCE at Hull University. She has worked in a range of Primary settings which include inner-city schools as well as Children Centre's and Nursery schools. Clare has an EYFS specialism and SLE status which she uses to support other authorities nationally. During her career, she has led three Foundation Stage units to outstanding, two of which are in Horizon Academy Trust.

  Her current role is a senior management position for Delta Academy Trust as a Primary Director of Learning, with a commitment and drive in supporting the transformation of education across the north of England for those children who live in disadvantaged circumstances.

• Jane Garnett
  Jane Garnett

  Term of Office - 1 January 2023 - 1 January 2026

  Appointed by - Members

  Jane has over 23 years of teaching experience in the primary sector, and has served as local governor for 12 years. Jane drives school improvement at an operational and strategic level, and has particular interest in Literacy and health and wellbeing.

• Stephen Garnett
  Stephen Garnett

  Stephen works in the charitable sector and has extensive financial experience, that he brings to the Trust. Stephen has joined the Trust board to further support the local community.