Trust Team

The centralised admissions and governor services team provide support to Directors, Governors, schools and parent/carers within the Trust on all admissions and governance related matters.

Director of Operations and Compliance: Julie Gale 

Julie has been employed in education for 19 years, primarily at Oakgrove Secondary School. After working across many areas of the school, Julie has spent the last nine years in Governor Services and Admissions. She joined the Trust in 2016. 

Julie is the Clerk to Governors for the Trust's Finance, Audit, Human Resources Committee and the Local Governing Body at Oakgrove, Kents Hill Park and Willow Grove schools.

Admissions and Governor Services Administrator: Vicky Reeves 

Vicky has been employed in the Education sector for over 14 years in a number of support roles. Since 2017, she has worked for the Trust in Admissions and Governance. Vicky's work deals mainly with admissions for the Trust's schools and she is also clerk to a number of the school's committees.

Admissions and Governor Services Administrator: Rachel Green

After graduating from university, Rachel worked in the retail sector as part of a commercial trading team for over 15 years. She then undertook a number of volunteering pre-school committee roles, including Treasurer and Chair. Rachel is currently Treasurer for a school PTA and joined the Trust team in 2025.

Head of Estates: Gerard McGrory

To follow.

Schools Lettings Manager: Lauren Ben-Bassat

To follow.

Chief Financial Officer: Will Gordon

To follow.

Finance Manager: Alison Blealey

Alison has worked in finance in education since 2012. Qualified with the Association of Accounting Technicians, she has also previously worked in financial roles in the charities and commercial sectors, as well as in practice. Alison joined the Trust in January 2019.

Management Accountant: Leanne Entwistle

AAT Level 3 qualified, Leanne has worked in Finance roles since 2011. Following a career in both financial services and hygiene supplies, Leanne joined the Trust in 2024.

Human Resources Director: Lisa Collison

Lisa is a Chartered HR Fellow of the CIPD, with over 30 years experience as an HR Professional. Since 2009 she has worked within the education sector for consultancy companies, local authorities and multi academy trusts.

Having led a centralised HR within a medium size Trust previously, Lisa brings a wealth of experience within areas such as strategic leadership complex casework, trade union negotiations, policy development and school onboarding. Lisa is also a trained mediator and has had experience dealing with conflict resolution.

Director of IT: Mannewar Hussain

Mannewar brings over 15 years of experience in the education sector, with a strong technical background in delivering innovative, scalable IT solutions.  He leads the development of IT infrastructure and strategic planning, ensuring technology supports both operational efficiency and educational outcomes across the Trust.

Since joining the Trust in 2023, Mannewar has led the central IT team, ensuring the consistent delivery of high-quality customer service and responsive technical support. He has expertise in education focused IT, embedding best practices and standards with a strong emphasis on cybersecurity, safeguarding, system resilience, and regulatory compliance.

Mannewar works collaboratively with individual schools to resolve complex technical issues and support long term strategic IT planning. He also oversees relationships with external IT partners, ensuring high service standards and alignment with industry best practice.

Marketing and Communications Manager: Deborah Gerring

Deborah began her marketing career in London over 30 years ago, working in the Metropolitan Police Service and in various government press offices. Since relocating from London, she spent the following 16 years working in communications for the local authority and in education. Deborah joined the Trust in 2018.

Outcomes Lead: Peter Barnes

Please Peter's welcome message for more information.

Director of Safeguarding: Emma Harris

Emma has 22 years' experience in education and has worked in six schools across four local authorities. She completed her degree at Liverpool John Moores University, before training to teach through North Bedfordshire SCITT. An English specialist, she has also taught Media Studies, Drama and Travel and Tourism.

Emma has worked across Oakgrove School and Kents Hill Park School for 11 years and has played a key role in the development of pastoral, inclusion and safeguarding provision. Her experience of working within an all-through setting has provided valuable insight into supporting children and young people across both primary and secondary phases. She also spent seven years at Sponne School, where she held senior leadership positions including Assistant Headteacher and Designated Safeguarding Lead.

Throughout her career, Emma has held a range of leadership responsibilities including Second in English, Head of Year, Specialist Leader of Education (SLE) for Behaviour, and strategic leadership of behaviour, safeguarding, inclusion, attendance and wellbeing. Her professional interests include contextual safeguarding, child exploitation, mental health and early intervention.

Emma holds a Master's degree (MEd) in Educational Leadership, the National Professional Qualification for Headship (NPQH) and is a qualified Senior Mental Health Lead. She has also completed specialist training in Attachment, Restorative Justice and Protective Behaviours.

As Director of Safeguarding for Kingsbridge Educational Trust and Assistant Headteacher at Kents Hill Park School, Emma provides strategic leadership and oversight of safeguarding across the Trust, working closely with school leaders, trustees and external agencies to ensure high standards of practice and positive outcomes for children and young people.

Director of Education: Mark Sim

To follow.