Directors
TRUST GOVERNANCE STRUCTURE
The Board of Directors fulfill both the role of directors under company law and trustees under charity law and exercise the powers and carry out the duties of Emmanuel Diocese of Liverpool Academies Trust. The Board of Directors is responsible to the Members of EDLAT as well as the parents, pupils and staff at its academies. Directors work through their committees and the Central Executive Team to ensure the quality of education and financial management provided at each academy.
Three committees operate under the Emmanuel Board of Directors: Audit and Risk Committee, Resources Committee (Business, Finance, Staffing, Pay and Environment), and Education Committee.
DIRECTORS (Non Executive)
Mr Paul Smalley
Paul is the Chair of Directors of Emmanuel. He has 30 years’ experience in education, having taught and managed in both schools and universities. He is currently an Educational Consultant and Adviser: he teaches at Liverpool Hope University and is the Executive Officer for The National Association of Standing Advisory Councils on RE (NASACRE) and an REC (Religious Education Council of England and Wales) Board member as well as sitting on the Liverpool Diocesan Board of Education and is a member of two other Multi-Academy Trusts and the Warrington CE Educational Trust. He worships at St. James Westbrook, in Warrington where he is Local Missional Leader responsible for the ACE (Active Church for Everyone) congregation and Deanery Lay Chair.
His research has been in the fields of RE Policy and Practice, Collective Worship and Spirituality. Some of this work has been cited in DfE, Ofsted and Parliamentary publications. He has also published work on mentoring and teacher development.
Reverend Rebecca Lloyd
Rebecca is a mother of two children aged nine and twelve and is committed to giving children the best opportunities firstly through a governor for over eight years appointed by the diocese and then as a director. As governor she held the portfolio as Chair of Finance and Heath & Safety.
In her professional role, Rebecca is a Qualified Solicitor with over twenty years legal experince and now a director of her own consultancy firm for the last nine years. Her consultancy employs four staff other staff, and has contracts with the prestigious solicitors that specialise in conveyancing, real estate, dispute resolution and employment law.
Rebecca followed her calling to serve and was ordained deacon in 2022 and ordained priest in 2023.
Reverend Dawn Harrison
Dawn is currently the Governance and Admissions Advisor within the team of the Board of Education for the Liverpool Diocese. This role includes advising on governance structures, processes, policy for both maintained schools and academies. Dawn works with all types of schools ( Voluntary Aided, Voluntary Controlled and academies in church trusts to ensure that good governance is in place and ensuring that governors focus strategy and helping them fulfill their statutory duties.
As a parish priest Rev Dawn has experience of working with volunteers, building teams, managing people and ensuring that at all times actions and decisions are routed in the Christian faith.
Dawn has previously taught in primary and SEND settings and is very passionate about education.
Reverend Simon Renison
Previously with experience of secondary education, Simon leads an established parish church in Warrington. With exceptional abilities to engage and build capacity to promote faith in projects that reach many communities, he is driven to ensure all achieve their potential regardless of disadvantage.
Simon has three children in primary education and therefore recongnises the value of effective parental engagement and listening to the trust workforce to create environments where all are appreciated.
Mr Michael Jones
Mike is driven in his personal and professional portfolios to make a difference to youth, community and education opportunities in deprived areas. He has significant experience in strategic fundraising, project management and governance with over ten years’ experience as a school governor, including governance roles in school finances, governance reviews and Ofsted inspections.
In his 'working life' Mike is currently Head of Strategic Engagement in the Government Department of DEFRA, having previously gained a degree in Education and an MBA, as well as various professional qualifications.
Mike is a Warrington resident and parent of a child with special needs, whom attended one of the MAT school's designated provision.
Mrs Tracy Robinson
Tracy is currently the Chief Finance Officer of a Warrington Multi Academy Trust specialising in former community schools. She has held this role since 2019 and previously held roles in school finance and business management. With over fifteen years experience of working in the education sector, I am used to providing challenge, support and guidance in regard to the non-academic aspects of school operations and strategy. Tracy was a governor of two Warrington diocesan church schools before stepping into becoming a director.
Mrs Wendy McKinnon
Wendy is a retired head teacher of a Church of England Primary school, with an impressive teaching career of thirty seven years in a variety of schools. She has experience as a senior leader (EYFS / KS1 lead then DHT) specialising in Assessment, SEND, Behaviour, Distinctiveness and Ethos, as well as being a governor of a Church of England Primary School for over four years.
Wendy is passionate about helping children, regardless of their background, achieve their potential within a caring school community, and is committed to developing and supporting staff whilst ensuring their wellbeing is nurtured.
Wendy has lived in Warrington for thirty three years, her three children who are now in their twenties and she is a member of her local church, and in spare time loves to travel and has a very long bucket list!
REGISTER OF INTERESTS FOR DIRECTORS
To follow very shortly.
CONTACTING THE BOARD
The Company Secretary is Mrs Ann McGuinness, amcguinness@edlat.org.uk