Governance Information

Our Trustees

Samuel Quigley - Chair of Trustees

Sam was a governor at Tyldesley Primary School for over 14 years, originally elected as a Parent Governor, he was Vice Chair of governors and appointed to the original Trust in 2012. Sam is also Chair of Governors at Fred Longworth High School where he has served for over 5 years and was Chair to Wigan's Locality 5 Children's Centres and then Start Well Centre Advisory Board from 2012 to 2017. He is an experienced local businessman running his own company specialising in recruitment to the construction industry using his honours degree in Law and Human Resources.

Amy Newton - Vice Chair of Trustees

Amy was chair of governors at Carrwood Primary school for 9 years when the school joined Leading Learners MAT. Amy then joined as a trustee in April 2023. Amy is on the main trustee board but also supports the finance & resources committee as well. Amy has spent most of her career in the public sector working in Higher Education mainly. Amy is a senior leader in planning and operations and completed her MBA in 2017. Amy enjoys volunteering at a local horse and donkey sanctuary, eating out and spending time with her family, friends and cat!

Carole Gradwell - Trustee

Carole was appointed to the Trust Board in 2017 and brought with her a considerable experience of governorship, both in housing and in schools. She has been a governor of Fred Longworth High School for 20 years, originally as a Parent Governor. She has chaired committees and is the Vice Chair of governors. Carole had a career in public housing management for over 20 years before working freelance in training and consultancy for social housing organisations. Since 2009 she has managed her own company which works on governance and organisational development with Tenant Management Organisations, and she acts as an assessor of TMOs for the Department of Housing, Communities and Local Government. Carole has a Diploma in Teaching for Lifelong Learning and tutors learners studying for professional qualifications with the Chartered Institute of Housing.

Mark Ibbertson - Trustee

Mark started his career as an accountant in local government, mainly dealing with in education finance in Leeds and then Wakefield, before moving to become the first Finance Director for an Academy Trust that grew from one academy to a total of 34, in the ten years he was with them. Since retiring from full time work he has started a dream job he never even knew he dreamt about, tasting chocolate and other products for a major manufacturer. When not eating sweet things Mark is keen to continue to play a part in the role that academy trusts have in transforming the lives of young people.

Chris Midgley - Trustee

Chris is currently a part-time Senior Lecturer in Leadership and Management and has forged an extensive career in leadership and educational management consultancy - which informs his teaching at MMU. Chris has also held lecturing roles within health and social care leadership, educational leadership and apprenticeships as a BSc, MSc and MBA programme leader.

Chris has a strong interest in public services leadership and senior leader development. He is passionate about the use of online learning technologies in developing and enhancing blended learning that is accessible and inclusive.

A former Army Officer within the Army Education and Training Services branch, Chris still works part-time as an Army Reservist and is very honoured to work within the Centre for Army Leadership where he is developing the Leader Development Competence Framework for the Army.

Mark Davies - Trustee

Having started out in teaching in 2013, Mark is now Head of Year and Geography Subject Lead at an independent secondary school based in Yorkshire. Mark holds two Masters qualifications in Urban and Rural Planning as well as Environmental Management.

As a lover of travel and the outdoors, Mark relocated from the North West home to Yorkshire and enjoys long walks in Calderdale and further afield with his wife and dog, Blue.

Samuel Quigley	Appointed by academy members	2nd July 2020 - 3rd July 2024
Amy Newton	Appointed by academy members	1st June 2023 - 31st May 2027
Carole Gradwell	Appointed by foundation/Trust	17th October 2017 - 16th October 2025
Christopher Midgley	Appointed by academy members	1st September 2023 - 31st August 2027
Mark Davies	Appointed by academy members	1st September 2023 - 31st August 2027