Governance

Gary McDonald (Chair of Board) - Academy Director.

Gary has been a governor at Thurston CE Primary since 2012 and is the school's nominated Director. With professional experience as a corporate bank manager dealing with high value clients gives him a good eye for finance and the customer skills to deal with all our stakeholders.

Appointed 07/01/16, reappointed 12/12/2019 to serve a further 4 years.

No Pecuniary Interest.

Business Interest: Relationship Director, Barclays Bank.

Philip Mackay - Ex-officio Director - CEO

Philip is an ex-officio Director in his capacity as the Chief Executive Officer and Accounting Officer for the Trust.

Phil's previous career focused on educational charity management within the Higher Education Sector working in a number of leading universities as well as national and regional roles. He is a qualified executive coach and has a Masters in Business Administration as well as the National Professional Qualification for Executive Leadership. Phil has extensive experience in organisational strategy, HR, finance, health and safety and governance amongst many other things. Phil is passionate about ensuring every child has the best possible opportunities at school to enable them to fulfill their potential..

Appointed 01/09/18.

Pecuniary Interests as follows: Former Chair & Director of Godmanchester Community Education Trust and former Interim Chief Executive at Orchard Learning Trust.

Business Interest: Employee of the Trust.

Ruth Farrell - Foundation Director

Ruth was born and educated in Australia, moving permanently to England in 1986 to work as an Occupational Therapist in both the NHS and Social Care Services. She was ordained into the Church of England in 2002 and has been the Rector of Woolpit with Drinkstone since 2006. She has been involved in church related children's work for 20 years. She enjoys walking and the cinema.

Appointed: 23/02/2017, Reappointed: 27/05/2021 to serve a further 4 years.

No Pecuniary Interest

Business Interest: Rector, Benefice of Woolpit with Drinkstone, Diocese St Edmundsbury and Ipswich, Church of England.

David Olney - Academy Director

David is a Retired Managing Director of a successful company in UK and overseas; previously he has held the post of COO for Defence Infrastructure. He brings a wealth of experience in the following areas: Corporate management, change management and communications, finance, accountancy, premises & capital projects, strategic planning, data analysis, business.

Appointed 25/01/18 - term ends - 25/01/2022

Pecuniary Interest: Member: Horizons Education Trust

Business Interest: Self Employed Director at NED WaND Consulting Ltd

Liz Michie - Academy Director

Liz is a Commercial Senior HR Professional within Manufacturing and Distribution plcs and private businesses. She is a Current Trustee/Board Director of Theatre Royal, Bury St Edmunds and has previously been a Trustee of Focus12 (registered charity). Liz is experienced HR & personnel, Strategic planning, Compliance, Change management, Employment law and a wealth of other Business and corporate management related areas.

Appointed 02/05/2019, term ends 02/05/2023

Pecuniary Interest. Family friend of employee at Thurston Primary Academy.

Business Interest: HR Director, MM Flowers Ltd.

Ed Yeldham - Academy Director

Ed was a parent governor at Woolpit Primary School between 2013 - 2019. He is a Qualified Accountant. He is a Finance Director of an £18m turnover business and has been a Company Director since 2006. Ed brings experience of HR & personnel, strategic planning, business and corporate management, change management, communications and sourcing and tendering processes to the Trust.

Appointed 02/05/2019, term ends 02/05/2023

No Pecuniary Interest

Business Interests:

Director of the following companies:

Global Chair Components Ltd, Accentuate Group Ltd, Glochair Holdings Ltd, Contract Furniture Group Ltd, Contract Furniture Express Ltd, Bellamy & Britton Ltd, Helo Products Ltd.

Company Secretary of Dynamic Contract Furniture Ltd.