Finance, Audit & Operations Committee

Responsible for Curriculum / Standards, Admissions, Policies, Governance & Environmental Sustainability

Responsible for SEND, Admissions, Policies & Governance

I am a retired specialist teacher with 40 years teaching experience. I began my teaching career in 1976 having qualified with a Bachelor of Education Honours Degree from Leeds University. Initially I taught in secondary school in Huddersfield and after moving to Lincoln was a class teacher and then a supply teacher in several primary schools. In 1995 my family took part in a year-long exchange programme in New Zealand where I taught in both primary and intermediate schools on a supply basis. On returning, I took up the concurrent part time pasts as a SENDCo at a Lincoln school and teacher with the Learning Support Service. The latter has now become the Specialist Teaching Team where my career progressed to being part of the Senior Leadership Team holding the responsibilities of Team Leader and Induction Manager. Within the Specialist Teaching Team, I also worked in all sectors of education from Early Years to Sixth Form.

I consider myself to have a number of professional and personal skills which I can bring to the role of Trustee of Tall Oaks Academy Trust. Working in Education, I am familiar with current thinking and national guidance. My specialist skills and training lie mainly in the field of Special Educational Needs, with particular respect to the areas of dyslexia, dyspraxia and autism. I have also undergone training in safeguarding and domestic abuse. I am committed, loyal and professional with a high regard for confidentiality and a respect for the opinions and perspectives of others. I am level headed, with an even temperament and feel I would be able to advise and challenge sensitively, calmly and respectfully.

Responsible for Finance / Contracts, Admissions, Policies & Governance

Born in Sheffield, David was educated through the local comprehensive school system going on to further education and graduating from Wadham College, Oxford in Politics Philosophy and Economics in 1983. After graduation he started work for Lloyds Bank in and around Yorkshire and Lincolnshire, initially in leadership roles, but subsequently as a Relationship Director supporting SME businesses. He left the Bank in 2016, after 33 years of service, to start a second career as a Non Exec Director / Business Consultant, working on his own account, for a portfolio of local owner managed businesses.

David has a passion to encourage and support both businesses and people to be as good as they can be, and in addition to his paid work commitments, he has held roles both as a Parent Governor in a School and also currently acts as a Director of a not for dividend charity.

Responsible for HR & Workforce

I have worked within HR for approximately 20 years. I attained my BA (Hons) in Human Resource Management from the University of Derby in 200, my MSc in Human Resource Management from the University of Lincoln and CIPD (Chartered Institute of Personnel & Development) Level 7 in 2011. My HR career started in London where I worked for Imperial College London within the Division of Molecular Biosciences and the Centre for Environmental Policy.
Since receiving my MSc, I have focused my career within the charity sector working as a HR Advisor for The Orders of St John Care Trust, supporting managers across 15 care homes within Lincolnshire. At present, I am the HR Advisor for Acis Group Ltd. Acis offer services supporting people within the local community through providing social housing, employability skills for adults and young people through its acquired training subsidiaries – Riverside training and CLIP (Community Learning in Partnership). We also have a commercial arm within the business called HomePlus which provides an Adaptations service with the aim of enabling people to stay in their homes for longer. More recently, we have also expanded into Student Accommodation with student flats based in Sheffield and Nottingham.
I feel my skill set would be beneficial when having to manage complex employee relations cases (disciplinaries, grievances and performance). I also have experience of having to manage redundancy consultations, TUPE, recruitment and absence management.