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Board of Trustees

Our Trustees come from a wide variety of different backgrounds. Below you will find a short biography of each. Please click on the following link for details of appointments and attendance:
Board of Trustees' details 2023-24 and attendance records 2022-23

Trustee appointed by PFAT Members
Howard Gee (Chair)
Background:  Recently retired from full-time employment to set up a software consultancy business. Before that, Howard had 37 years’ employment at a major engineering company in Lincoln. His last assignment involved a worldwide project to harmonise Business Systems at 16 sites across seven countries.

Sponsor Trustee
Simon Richardson (Vice-Chair)
Background: Simon was born in Lincoln and attended the City School between 1985 and 1992. He went through the sixth form, studied A-Levels and graduated from the Institute of Design with a First Class BA (Hons) Degree. He also holds an MBA in Strategic Marketing and is a registered Chartered Marketer. After a short spell working as a Business Development Manager, Operations Director and then as Managing Consultant, he started his own business. The company, which is part of QSP, has developed into a range of companies involved in aviation, healthcare, construction, leisure and asset management. The business operates internationally and has a base in Africa employing more than 400 staff.

Sponsor Trustee
Frank Knowles
Background: A retired Education Consultant and Inspector, having undertaken Section 5 (Ofsted) and other inspections, and quality assurance reading of inspection reports. Extensive support for schools becoming academies. Previously one of Her Majesty’s Inspectors of Schools (HMI) responsible for inspection quality; Local Authority Senior Adviser; Deputy Head of a large inner city comprehensive school; Head of Department and Teacher of Mathematics.

Sponsor Trustee
Jonathan Mackinder
Background: Jonathan is a solicitor working for Walgreens Boots Alliance in Nottingham. Having graduated with a degree in Law from the University of Nottingham, Jonathan went on to qualify as a solicitor at Wilkin Chapman LLP in his home city of Lincoln. Jonathan is a former student and Deputy Head Boy of The Priory Academy LSST, while his late father taught electronics at the school for 14 years. 

Sponsor Trustee
Lesley Tyreman
Background: Lesley has been involved in primary education all her working life, first as a teacher, and then through 17 years as headteacher of two successful Lincolnshire schools (Scampton Village and Heckington).  She has been Chair of Heighington Millfield LGB since the academy joined the Trust in March 2018. Lesley first became a governor in 1992 and has been part of a governing body ever since, as teacher, headteacher and then community governor, joining the then governing body of Heighington Millfield School on her retirement in 2015.   Lesley brings to any governing body her skills in leading teams and a love of lifelong learning. 

Sponsor Trustee
Clare Allen
Background: Clare is a former primary school Headteacher who now runs her own education consultancy business, in which she works closely with the National Governance Association and local authorities. She is also Chair of Governors at Stathern Primary School in the Vale of Belvoir. Clare says she is motivated by a drive to improve outcomes for children and young people.

Sponsor Trustee
Steve Dixon
Background: Steve works for RS Components as Group Risk Manager, with a primary focus on Audit, Finance, Health and Safety and Risk Management. He grew up in North Hykeham and then, after his career took him to various cities around the UK, he returned to Lincolnshire 15 years ago. Steve was Chair of Ling Moor LGB from 2019 to 2022, having previously served as a Governor at the academy, and was also previously a Governor at St John’s Primary Academy in Bracebridge Heath.

Trustee appointed by PFAT Members 
Ian Jones (Chief Executive Officer of the Priory Federation of Academies)
Background: Priory Federation CEO since March 2012; Priory Academy LSST Headmaster 2008-2016; City of Lincoln Community College Headmaster 2003-2008.