Trustees and Members

Paul Jones

(Chair of The Trust Board)

Paul has developed a skill for business improvement, managing change and growth. He is highly experienced, commercially aware and an adaptable executive, with a proven track record in delivering success over the past 25 years. As a result of his efforts to improve the performance of companies, Paul was shortlisted for the Director of the Year Award by the Institute of Directors. He began his career as a qualified engineer before gaining substantial Managing Director and CEO experience in the aerospace, property, construction, automotive and defence industries.

Frank Norris MBE

With a career spanning more than four decades, Frank has worked in a bank, been a primary teacher and headmaster, risen through the ranks at Ofsted, and became CEO of the Co-op Academies Trust in 2014. During his five years in charge, the Trust grew from just six academies to 23, and he has gained an impressive track record of turning struggling schools around.

Kal Kay

(Co-Opted Trustee to Finance & Resources Committee and Audit & Risk Committee)

Kal brings a wealth of experience to the Trust as a proficient financial director. With a recognised history of working within the public and private sector, she possesses an innate ability to impart her skills in business planning and management, organisational development, finance, and accounting.

Barbara Daykin

Barbara had a highly successful career as a Teacher, Headteacher, Executive Head and CEO of Endeavour Academy Trust. Through her hard work and dedication, she took a school from being in ‘special measures’ onto ‘outstanding’ as a result of her high expectations, relentless pursuit of improvement and ambition for all pupils. Ofsted praised Barbara for creating a strong senior team with no place for mediocrity or complacency and she enabled members of the community to excel in all they do.

Chris Bowes

Chris is a solicitor and a partner in the global law firm CMS. He is a very experienced real estate lawyer with specialist expertise in planning and development work. Chris acts for clients in both the public and private sectors and has been involved in some of the UK’s biggest regeneration projects, which has often involved balancing the competing requirements of a multitude of stakeholders.

Stephen Griffiths

Steve has worked in charity management at senior level for most of his career. He was a magistrate for 10 years which showed him the need for effective early educational work with young people. Steve currently manages to keep busy by working with charities that value committee members who can balance delivering their charitable objectives with prudent financing.

Catherine Williams

Catherine has 25 years’ experience in developing, aligning and implementing people strategies within service businesses. She has operated at all levels of the people function and progressed from business partner to work as a Board, Remuneration Committee and an Executive team member for over 15 years. She has established a track record in supporting business growth through mergers, acquisitions and integrations, to meet the desired commercial objectives within the UK and internationally.

Harj Kilshaw