BRIGHTON ACADEMIES TRUST - Key Persons


Alex Brewer

Job Titles:
  • Director of Marketing and Communications
  • Media Enquiries

Alice Allen

Coming from a family of educators, I have a lifelong passion for learning and a deep respect for the teaching profession. I appreciate the challenges in Education and am committed to leveraging my skillset to elevate the aspirations and outcomes of our staff and students.

Andy Davies

Through my professional work I have been a long-time supporter of the University of Brighton Academies Trust and I have been a member of the Education and Standards Committee since 2021.

Anita Chown

Job Titles:
  • Director
Anita Chown is our Director of People, She leads the Trust's human resources through our People department, and champions staff wellbeing for all our dedicated staff throughout Sussex.

Bill Goodwin

Bill Goodwin has amassed significant experience in County Councils in East Sussex, Hampshire and Cambridgeshire, as well as having served as a parent governor at his children's. He is strongly committed to improving the lives of children and young people through his excellent work at the Trust.

Chris McFadden - Chairman

Job Titles:
  • Chairman
Spanning finance, investment banking, operations and technology, Chris brings a breadth of expertise to the Trust that will help us grow, develop and deliver great educational results.

Dylan Davies

Job Titles:
  • Deputy Chief Executive
Dylan Davies is our Deputy Chief Executive: School Improvement, supporting and managing the Principals of our academies to make each school the best it can be for our learners across East and West Sussex.

Janey Walker

Job Titles:
  • Head of Education, Managing Director of the Indie Training Fund
Janey Walker has served as Channel 4's Head of Education, Managing Director of the Indie Training Fund and as s Director of IGGY, the University of Warwick's online network for gifted teenagers. She curently serves as Deputy Chair of the Board of Governors at the University of Brighton.

Jeremy Nurse - Chairman

Job Titles:
  • Chairman
A great believer in the power of education to transform lives, Jeremy bring more 35 years experience in financial services and consultancy to the Trust.

Kathryn Smith

Job Titles:
  • Director of Governance and Admissions

Kelly Johnson - CFO

Job Titles:
  • Chief Financial Officer
  • Director of Finance
Kelly Johnson is the Trust's Director of Finance and Chief Financial Officer. She oversees the organisation's financial position and holds responsibility for our finance strategies and plans.

Lorraine Harrison

Lorraine has been involved with the Trust from its inception due to her former role of Head of the School of Education at The University of Brighton. Between March 2016 and August 2023, Lorraine served as a Trustee and was a member of the Risk and Audit Committee as well as the Chair of the Education and Standards Committee.

Miles Smith - Chairman

Job Titles:
  • Chairman

Mr John Smith

Job Titles:
  • Chief Executive of the University
  • Director of School Improvement
Dr John Smith is Chief Executive of the University of Brighton Academies Trust. He has strategic overview of the Trust's activities, acting as a liaison between the academies, the Board, the university, local authority, and the Department for Education. Mr John Smith is our Director of School Improvement. He supports and challenges our academy leaders to provide the highest quality education for our children and young people.

Rose Durban

Job Titles:
  • Local Board Chair

Sam Coates

Job Titles:
  • Deputy Chief Executive
Sam Coates is the organisations Deputy Chief Executive: Chief Operating Officer. She leads all of the Trust's operational and administrative services in support of our vision, mission, values and strategy.

Siobhan Denning - Chairman

Job Titles:
  • Chairman
  • Vice Chair
An experienced Headteacher in East Sussex, Siobhan cares passionately raising standards, aspirations and outcomes for our young people. Having started her career as a Music teacher, she continues to conduct the Chanctonbury Chorus and lead the Worthing String Workshop.