LEODIS ACADEMIES TRUST - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- Sales Manager
- Education Account Manager
- MAT Manager
- Specialist
Anna Fielding is a specialist education account manager. Anna has worked closely with schools and MATs over a number of years. Supporting and consulting on digital strategy and products to help streamline and improve practices and to find the best-fit solutions to meet specific needs. Anna's in-depth understanding of the education industry has helped her build lasting relationships. She is committed to delivering a personalised service with integrity and transparency that ensure schools and MATs get the most out of their investments in education technology.
Claire Morritt is a highly experienced professional in the field of recruitment and education operations. She has worked for several leading companies in this sector, including Hays Education and Badenoch and Clark. With over a decade of experience in recruitment, Claire has developed a deep understanding of the education sector and the various challenges that organizations face in attracting and retaining the best talent.
With her extensive knowledge of the education sector and her passion for helping organizations succeed, Claire decided to set up her own business. In 2017, she founded MumsAnywhere.com, an innovative online platform that connects skilled professionals with flexible job opportunities. The platform focuses on supporting mothers who are looking for a work-life balance that allows them to pursue their careers while raising a family.
Colin joined Leodis Academies Trust at the formation of the MAT in 2016 and is now Chair of the Standards Committee. Before joining the Trust, Colin was a governor at Westerton Primary School from 2000 where he was joint Chair of the Resources Committee, a member of the Teaching and Learning Committee, ICT Lead and also a key member of the PTFA during his early years as a governor.
Colin has spent his whole career working in IT where he has held various management and director roles working in engineering, service delivery, sales and contract management. He also spent 21 years as Chair of Trustees for a final Salary pension scheme.
Colin is married with two daughters who both attended Westerton Primary and Woodkirk Academies before going onto University.
Outside of work Colin enjoys gardening, football, skiing, hill walking and keeping fit.
Job Titles:
- Board As a Trustee
- Co - Chair of the Finance & Risk Committee
David joined the Leodis Academies Trust Board as a trustee at formation of the MAT in 2016. Prior to this, he had served as a governor at Westerton Primary School since 2005, both on the main governing board and as the Chair of the Resources Committee.
David has worked for both public and private organisations pursuing a career in electronics, IT and business spanning over 30 years. This has given him a broad base of experience which to he is able to draw upon when contributing to the strategic direction and governance of the Leodis Academies Trust Board.
David has a passion for lifelong learning, having undertaken electronic engineering qualifications early in his career followed by a BA (Hons) degree with the Open University and more recently studying for an MBA. This passion extends to a desire to provide the best possible learning opportunities for young people by making the most of the resources available to provide a high quality, engaging education that will prepare them for a successful and happy life.
Ian is married, and became a governor at the primary school his children attended, staying for 12 years.
He joined Woodkirk Academy's Local Governing Board as his children moved to secondary school, both of whom stayed through to Woodkirk Sixth Form and successfully completed university degrees.
He remained as Vice Chair at Woodkirk until joining the Leodis Academies Trust as a Trustee as it formed in 2016.
He has served as Vice Chair of Trustees, and is currently the Chair of the Risk Management Committee.
Ian has over 40 years' experience in the petrochemical/gas industries, and now runs his own IT consultancy company.
He has three grandchildren, and enjoys spending time with them as often as he can.
Ian firmly believes that the role of the Trustees is to help provide the highest standard possible of education accessible to all students, and that the Trust facilitates the growth of each of the individual academies for the benefit of their individual students.
Job Titles:
- Web Developer
- Web Developer at School Jotter
As a web developer at School Jotter, Jordan Gumbley has a keen eye for detail. He is responsible for the technical development of websites, ensuring they function smoothly and efficiently. Jordan's focus is on creating websites that are easy to use, responsive, and user-friendly. He works closely with designers and project managers to bring their vision to life, while also ensuring that the final product meets the needs of schools and their students.
Job Titles:
- Project Manager
- Project Manager at School Jotter
As Project Manager at School Jotter, Karolina Swirydowicz is an expert in managing the entire website creation process. She seamlessly guides schools from the initial stage of discussions to the launch of a spectacular website. With her attention to detail, Karolina ensures that each project is completed on time and to the highest standard. She also provides ongoing support and advice to ensure schools get the most out of their new website.
Job Titles:
- Leodis Trust 's Family Support Worker
- LSS Family Support Worker
Lauren is the Leodis Trust's Family Support Worker, holding this position since February 2023. Prior to this, she worked at Rothwell Cluster and with children who have special educational needs.
Lauren is passionate about supporting the families and young people within our community. Providing 1-1 support, drop in mornings, home visits and signposting parents and young people to services across the city. Lauren listens to family's needs and where possible supports the challenges which they face. Her aim is to support the struggles and well-being of parents and children, and to provide advice to create positive outcomes which in turn could result in a more improved quality of life.
Job Titles:
- Graphic Designer
- Customer Experience Designer
Mateusz Zapotoczny is a graphic designer with spectacular expertise in creating stunning websites. He brings a unique perspective to every project, delivering designs that are visually appealing, user-friendly, and engaging. Mateusz's work is a testament to his passion for his craft, and he is always striving to push the boundaries of what is possible in web design.
Job Titles:
- Chairman of the Standards Committee
Mike has a first-hand understanding of school leadership and the local educational landscape, as a former Headteacher of a large secondary academy; one of the first 32 outstanding convertor academies in England and the first in Kirklees. He was vice-chairman of the Kirklees Schools' Forum and a member of the Kirklees Place-Planning and Admissions committee prior to his retirement in 2016.
Alongside his day job he also worked as a Research Associate for the National College for School Leadership, and contributed to the development of the Framework for Exceptional Education, a programme operated by the Schools, Students and Teachers Network (SSAT) Leading Edge group. He has prior experience as a member of the Independent Schools Inspectorate and more recently five years' experience as a contracted inspector participating in Ofsted inspections of maintained schools and academies. He has also recently returned to marking summer examinations for one of the awarding bodies.
Mike holds a Science Degree from the University of Durham and a Master's in Science Education from Sheffield Hallam. Unsurprisingly, therefore, his 34-year teaching career was primarily focussed on teaching physics to GCSE and A level, but also included chemistry, mathematics and IT.
Mike has a strong conviction that schools can transform lives and strives to do whatever he can to support and sustain the highest standards of educational provision.
Job Titles:
- Chairman of Trustees
- Dentist
Nick is a dentist who qualified in 1996 at Manchester Dental School. Following a training year in Cleckheaton he has practiced dentistry in Dewsbury for his entire career. He acquired the practice he worked at and has managed a successful dental practice from 2007 to date.
Nick has four children who all went to Westerton Primary and then on through Woodkirk Academy to university. During this time he served as a parent governor. This opportunity to serve as a parent governor gave Nick a clear vision of the importance of strong and robust governance at an outstanding school.
Nick further served as a member of Hill Top Primary Academy Local Governing Board for several years before being seconded to the newly formed Leodis Academies Trust Board. He was elected Chair of Trustees in September 2019.
Along with his responsibilities of running a dental practice and being Chair of the Leodis Academies Trust Board, Nick is a Trustee of the charity warmheartmalawi, a charity that helps to support education for the gifted but deprived children and to correct some of the education prejudices in that African country. Nick is also an international team leader for Dentaid, the foremost dental Charity in the UK, taking annual volunteer dental teams to Malawi and is involved in Dentaid's UK projects too, delivering dental care to the most vulnerable groups in our society.
On a side note. He is a keen golfer trying to maintain a single figure handicap and likes road cycling both of which he does enthusiastically (when the weather permits).
Job Titles:
- Joint Co - Ordinator and Family Support Worker
Nikki is our Family Support Worker, holding this position since April 2019. Prior to this she was a Family Links Mentor and Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead in another school.
Job Titles:
- Co - Chair of the Finance & Risk Committee
Rebecca Ganz (aka Becks) is an ex pat who joined Leodis' Board in September 2018. A portfolio Non Executive with roles spanning Education, Institutional Health and Business sectors, Becks has a diverse set of skills to bring to Leodis. Becks has a background in strategy, mergers & acquisitions, Chartered Accountancy and best practice governance. As such, she thoroughly enjoys her role with Leodis and is Vice Chair of Finance & Risk Committee as well as a highly engaged member of the Trust Board.
Job Titles:
- CEO
- Founder
- Founder and CEO of Webanywhere
Sean Gilligan is the founder and CEO of Webanywhere, a leading provider of education technology and e-learning solutions. He has over 20 years of experience in the education technology industry, and is recognised as a visionary leader in the field. With a strong background in software development, Gilligan is known for his ability to identify and capitalise on emerging trends and technologies in the industry. He has successfully grown Webanywhere into a global company, with a presence in more than 3 countries worldwide.
Gilligan is a graduate of the University of York, where he studied Chemistry. He is also a frequent speaker at education technology conferences and events, sharing his insights on the latest trends and innovations in the field.
Job Titles:
- Trustee
- Leeds Teaching School Hub As a Strategic Partner
Stephanie Makin joined the Leodis Trust Board in January 2023, offering support and specialist knowledge for the primary sector. She maintains a consistent interest in the support of Safeguarding, Child Protection and Well-being for both pupils and colleagues.
Stephanie has thirty years of experience as a teacher in the primary sector. She has had the privilege of being the Headteacher/Principal of Westerton Primary Academy prior to retirement in August 2022. Throughout her career, Stephanie has also simultaneously carried out roles as a Key Mentor on the Management Board for the University of Nottingham for their National SCITT in Outstanding Primary Schools.
Furthermore, Stephanie has also Chaired the Headteacher group of the Morley Family of Schools, has been the Morley Primary Representative in the Area Inclusion Partnership and Chair of the Safeguarding Committee for the REACH Alternative Primary Provision.
In 2021 Stephanie joined the Leeds Teaching School Hub as a strategic partner and today holds the post of Chair of Governors.
Job Titles:
- Administrator for Leodis Support Service
- Leodis Support Service Joint Co - Ordinator and Administrator
Victoria Hayden is the administrator for Leodis Support Service and has held this role since September 2017. Prior to this, Victoria was the administrator for Ardsley and Tingley Cluster, which was part of Children's Services and in total she has been involved with the Leodis Academies Trust schools for over ten years, amassing plenty of knowledge, contacts and experience along the way.
Victoria is passionate about providing a service for young people and their families in the local community, to help overcome any difficulties or barriers which prevent them from having a positive experience during their early life and time at school.
Victoria also assists with SEN administration, which gives her an insight into some of the challenges and adjustments that some children require in order to help them to fulfil their potential.