PELE TRUST - Key Persons
I am a dynamic, passionate and committed Head Teacher of a thriving Primary School in North Tyneside - Hadrian Park Primary. I have vast experience in working within areas of super deprivation to those that are situated within the most affluent areas too. I thrive on success and the challenges that it brings with it. My attributes include flexibility, excellent organisation, superb communication qualities and a very high level of self-motivation and commitment to the task in hand. I believe in self-development and continue to enhance my own personal knowledge through continuous evaluation and keeping abreast of new innovations so that I can develop myself and others.
I am delighted to join Pele Trust as a Director because I have a real passion for ensuring that all children are in receipt of receiving the best that education has to offer. I have an invested interest having worked in education for the last 18 years and am happy to join a group of directors who are very child centered and open to challenge, support and innovation, to work together and continually strive to further improve the service to your Community.
Job Titles:
- Director
- Chairman of Directors
- Chairman of Trust Board
Gerry studied Spanish and Latin American Studies at Newcastle University and completed his PGCE in 1972. He taught modern languages in five different school in North Tyneside and his leadership roles …
Gerry studied Spanish and Latin American Studies at Newcastle University and completed his PGCE in 1972. He taught modern languages in five different schools in North Tyneside and his leadership roles included Head of Sixth Form, Deputy Head and Headteacher.
In 2005 he became an independent consultant trainer, specialising in research based learning strategies, including Formative Assessment and Growth Mindset. He worked for Local Authorities and schools across the UK and abroad.
He was a mentor for the Northumberland Youth Offenders service and until recently a governor at Darras Hall Primary School.
Gerry is married with three children and five grandchildren.
Job Titles:
- Director
- Vice Chair of Trust Board
Hugh Clear Hill - Vice Chair of Trust Board
Hugh studied for a BSc at Wye College, University of London and a MSc at Reading University. He is currently Principal Environmental Policy Officer at North Yorkshire County Council.
Hugh studied for a BSc at Wye College, University of London and a MSc at Reading University.
He is currently Principal Environmental Policy Officer at North Yorkshire County Council. He previously worked at Northumberland County Council, as a senior lecturer at the University of Sunderland and in environmental consultancy. Since 2012 he has been an independent member of the Northumbria Regional Flood and Coastal Committee and was acting chair in 2016/17. He was a trustee of the Tyne Rivers Trust from 2004 to 2018.
He was previously a parent governor and vice chair at Belsay school. He served as a parent governor at Ponteland High School before being appointed chair of governors in 2015. In February 2019 he was appointed as Vice Chair of Pele Trust.
He is married with three daughters who all attended Belsay, Richard Coates and Ponteland High School.
James is currently the Vicar of Fenham and Chaplain to the Dame Allan's Schools. Before arriving in Newcastle in February 2019, he had spent almost eight years on the Isle of Man, first as Assistant Curate at Cathedral Isle of Man and then latterly serving as Vicar of four Churches. During this time, he was also the Diocesan Director of Education and Chair of Governors at a local school.
James completed undergraduate studies in York, followed by teacher training at the University of Durham and he taught Religious Studies in the North East for a number of years before training for ordination at Cranmer Hall, Durham.
During his time teaching, James was also a member of the Chartered Institute of Educational Assessors. He was awarded an MA in Faith and Public Policy from the University of Chester in 2016 and has an interest in the area of Disability Theology and Education Policy and Practice. In March 2020, he was one of the first in the country to receive the Award for Educational Leadership from the Church of England Foundation of Education with a focus on the two areas of professional development of junior clergy and effective leadership and partnership within an educational context.
Laura is a qualified charted accountant, completing her audit training contract with Ernst and Young before specialising in mergers and acquisitions - working for Tait Walker and PwC in Newcastle with a further 4 years working for PwC in Brisbane, Australia.
Since returning to the UK Laura has worked for British Engines, a north east based engineering group. Laura has been with British Engines for the past 7 years, 4 years working in the group finance function and the last 3 years in her current role as Chief Financial Officer for the group.
Laura lives at the coast and spends much of free time on the beach building sandcastles with her husband and two young girls.
Job Titles:
- Assistant Director of Education at the Joint Education Team
Liane is the Assistant Director of Education at the Joint Education Team, Dioceses of Durham and Newcastle. She is an employment law specialist having qualified in 2003. Liane has experience of workin…
I have lived in Northumberland since 1980 and am married with 2 children, both of whom attended Heddon First School, Richard Coates Middle School and Ponteland High School.
I am a retired headteacher, having led three North East schools over 22 years, ranging from small village to inner city (300 plus) in Northumberland, Newcastle and Sunderland. My area of expertise is within Early Years/Primary schools and I was also seconded for two years to Newcastle LEA as Primary Adviser (Early Years). In that role I provided support and guidance on teaching and learning and organised training events.
I have served as a Governor of Heddon C of E Primary School since 2013, five years of which was as Chair of Governors. As a member of the interim Directors' Board, I have worked closely with our headteachers and fellow governors in successfully establishing our multi academy trust. Previously, in my capacity as Primary Adviser for Newcastle LEA, I have worked with individual headteachers and governing bodies, providing advice and support, including taking part in school inspections and in the appointment of new headteachers and deputy headteachers. I have also acted as External Adviser to the governing bodies of a group of North East primary schools on school standards and headteacher performance management.
In addition to my work with schools, I have also done voluntary work with Northumbria Citizens Advice, helping the general public with various issues such as debt, employment, benefits as well as supporting Cancer Research UK and several local homeless charities.
Maureen is a highly experienced and successful secondary school Headteacher. Following a period as Deputy Headteacher at St. Thomas More RC School, North Tyneside, Maureen was appointed as Headteacher…
Job Titles:
- Director
- Legal Services Manager of the Norton Rose Fulbright LLP Newcastle Office
Rishi studied Law at Northumbria University, graduating with a Masters in 2014. Rishi is currently the Legal Services Manager of the Norton Rose Fulbright LLP Newcastle Office.
Rishi has previously worked as Legal Counsel at Siemens Gamesa Renewable Energy, during which time he advised on all aspects of wind turbine projects. Rishi qualified as a solicitor with Womble Bond Dickinson (UK) LLP in September 2016, specialising in advising on public sector funded projects and was heavily involved in the regulated procurement process relating to the Ponteland Schools and Leisure development.
Rishi has also volunteered as a mentor to students and trainee solicitors and has been involved in the Inspiring the Future Programme.
Rishi lives in Newcastle upon Tyne with his wife and daughter, and is an avid follower of Newcastle United and the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Job Titles:
- Director
- Growth Strategist, Consultant, Coach
Ross Golightly is an experienced Growth Strategist, Consultant, Coach, Mentor and Non-Executive Director. His firm (Sphera Consulting Ltd) typically works with CEO's, Entrepreneurs and Owner-Managers to build, grow, scale and exit their businesses.
Ross has over 20 years industry experience, having held Senior Commercial roles in two Swedish and US Fortune 300 multinationals (Electrolux and PPG Industries) in the UK, Ireland, Europe, Middle East and South Africa.
His firm has worked with over 800 businesses, ranging from VC-funded start-ups to PE-backed mid-market companies and global PLC's across manufacturing, services and digital/technology.
Ross works closely with a range of Boards to drive aggressive revenue and profit growth and is an experienced Non-Executive Director with 3 x current NXD roles on the Boards of other high-growth companies, in addition to his role with Pele Trust Ltd.
Ross has a First Class (BA Hons) degree in Business and Marketing. As well as his Consulting business, Ross also has several other businesses in Ecommerce, Tech and Property.
Job Titles:
- Bishop of Berwick - Member
In January 2021, Mark Wroe was consecrated as the Suffragan Bishop of Berwick, succeeding Bishop Mark Tanner who moved to become Bishop of Chester. Mark was educated at St Mary's University, London a…