Board of Trustees
The Trust Board is the non-executive body accountable for all aspects of the conduct and performance of the schools across the Trust. The Trustees are appointed on a voluntary basis and give their time, energy, and expertise in support of the Trust. The Board is responsible for the strategic priorities of the organisation, its growth plans, major capital investments, for approving the budget and managing the finances across the organisation. Working closely with the Chief Executive the Board provides oversight of Trust operations as well as support in developing a long-term strategy to ensure that Brontë schools fulfil their duty to nurture purposeful, inclusive and thriving school cultures with pupils, learning and the community at the heart.
Sarah Cotton
Chair of Trustees
Member of the Board since July 2016
I have a longstanding connection with Brontë Academy Trust, starting 25 years ago as a parent, moving through governance, with many years as Chair at Lees and Oldfield, to my current role as Chair of Trustees.
I bring a balanced educational expertise to the board from over 30 years in secondary education. I started my career as a teacher of Mathematics moving through to senior leadership prior to retirement. I have a deep knowledge of leadership and education.
Both in my career and in my governance role I have worked through many changes in the educational landscape, from securing Beacon and Specialist School status to the formation of Brontë Academy Trust.
Richard Norris
Vice Chair
Member of the Board since November 2023
I am the Managing Director of a textile business based in Bradford, which I began work for in 1986 as an apprentice mechanical Engineer. I moved into my current position in 2023, after many years of further training and education.
Whilst my daughter was at secondary school I became a parent governor of a local secondary school where my experience in managing finances led me to become the chair of the finance committee, a role I continued for when I joined as a co-opted governor after my daughter left school.
My Job has led me to become a firm believer in quality education for the next generation, with my background giving me a passion for the STEM subjects that will give us the engineers of the future enabling business like mine to thrive. I look forward to bringing my skills and enthusiasm for quality education to the Bronte Academy Trust.
Trudy Mahon
Safeguarding
Member of the Board since January 2020
My background is from Local Government. I was responsible for Anti-Social Behaviour, Community Safety and Family Intervention across the borough. I also spent time working as a Housing Manager. The Local Authority appointed me to the safeguarding lead for under 18’s, furthermore I had the opportunity to train to deliver safeguarding across the County. I have worked with many partners, Police, Youth Offending Team, Child Protection Unit, Education, Social Services, Doctors, to name but a few.
As you can see I have a varied background, with transferable skills particularly around Safeguarding. I take a very keen interest in safeguarding, which is, as it should be, high priority for the Trust
Paul Wilson
Risk & Finance
Member of the Board since January 2024
I have lived in Cross Roads since 2000. My wife is from Ingrow and both of my sons attended Lees Primary School where they got a great educational start, eventually going on to study at Newcastle and Leeds Universities.
I have been a barrister practising in Leeds for over 30 years. I have specialised in employment law. In my time, I have worked in the Employment Law Department of a leading UK Solicitor’s firm and as an Employed Barrister for the Engineering Employers’ Federation. I therefore bring this breadth of knowledge and experience of employee relations and HR issues to the Board of Trustees.
Above all, I want to do my part to support the Trust in to ensure that every Bronte Academy child has the best possible start to their education.
Ashley Scott
Risk & Finance
Member of the Board since January 2024
I am an experienced finance professional with a background in financial and commercial settings. My career has given me the chance to develop expertise within financial planning, commercial trading and regulatory policy, which I hope to share with the Trust.
Additionally, I have a decade of experience in strategic planning and financial forecasting. I’ve worked in a variety of sectors including financial services, the NHS, commercial trading teams and manufacturing. I currently work in a commercial team as a manager for a national bank.
I am a former pupil of both Haworth First School and Hartington Middle School and I am very proud of our community and the values that the Brontë Academy Trust stands for. I look forward to supporting key initiatives within the Trust that will give the best start in life possible to future generations.
Trevor Olsson
Risk & Finance
Member of the Board since July 2016
I spent all my working life in the building industry, the last 23 years being with Bradford Council’s Technical Services where I was involved with planning and organising the repair and maintenance of the council’s extensive estate, including the schools. In the 1990’s on the advent of the Construction Design and Management Regulations I became the council’s CDM Manager running a small team of CDM Co-ordinators to manage the Health and Safety provision on all of the council construction projects.
I have been retired since 2011, and now spend my time, looking after my grandchildren, driving for the Keighley Community Transport, and my role as Trustee for the Brontë Academy Trust.
Alex Brown
Risk and Finance
Member of the Board since January 2024
My background is working in corporate businesses, developing partnerships with Facilities Management providers, most recently specialising in compliance services.
I'm passionate about supporting all stakeholders to work together to create the best environments possible.
I also have longstanding affinity with the schools in the area, having attended Hartington Middle School (Current Haworth Primary site) over 20 years ago.
Josie Price
Member of the Board since February 2024
I own a guesthouse and holiday cottages in Haworth. A proud Londoner, I feel incredibly lucky to have lived in Yorkshire since 2017 and have been made to feel very welcome.
My background is in marketing and communications, mainly in the food and drink and hospitality industries. I’ve also worked with property clients and volunteered on community projects; Christmas in Haworth, being one. I have a degree in Business Management from Kings College London, so whilst my love is for all things marketing, I have a broad understanding of organisational structure, finance and operations.
It’s a pleasure to be part of the Trust and I relish the challenge of providing support to benefit the schools and all our wonderful children.
Anna Whitaker
Member of the Board since September 2022
I live in the local area and trained and worked as a primary school teacher. As a family, we have a successful business which my husband and I run together.
I enjoy being part of the Trust providing my guidance and support where it is needed.
Jamila Juma-Ware
Member of the Board since February 2024
Founding Trustees
John Broughton, Founding Chair (2016 - 21)
Gill Holland (2016 -18)
John Brownless (2016 -18)
Jo Pagdin (2016 - 18)
Jenny Mayo (2016 -17)
Steven Gant (2016 -17)
Helen Thompson (2016 -17)
Former Trustees
Kath Waddington (2016 - 23)
Penny Campbell (2021- 23)
Sue Murdoch (2020 - 22)
Chris Upton (2021 - 22)
Ruth Bowditch (2019 - 22)
Joshua Greaves (2018 - 20)
Tracey Hirst (2019 - 20)