Our People

Neil Miley, CEO

As CEO, Neil guides our trust’s strategic direction and empowers leaders with the autonomy and clarity they need to excel in their roles.

As our trust’s accounting officer, Neil oversees operational management, ensuring resources are utilised effectively to benefit both pupils and staff.

Passionate about collaboration, Neil actively engages with the wider community, building partnerships with local organisations to enrich opportunities and outcomes for all our pupils.

Dean Webster, Executive Director of Secondary Standards

Dean supports secondary school leaders in achieving excellence within their schools, fostering a stronger culture of partnership across our trust.

He identifies and codifies best practices, both internally and externally, and works to embed these effectively where needed.

Dean is dedicated to raising outcomes for all students while narrowing achievement gaps for disadvantaged and vulnerable learners.

He ensures our trust maintains the right balance between alignment and school autonomy.

Claire Pender, Trust Improvement Director

Claire supports leaders across our trust to enhance the quality of education in their schools through effective monitoring, support and coaching.

She provides professional development for leaders and facilitates opportunities for staff growth.

Claire is a champion for oracy and creativity and fosters collaboration through cross-trust and external partnerships.

Claire also leads key elements of our people strategy, ensuring all our staff are supported to grow.

Charlotte Chance, Director of Finance & Operations

Charlotte plays a pivotal role in the growth and development of Mercia Learning Trust, drawing on extensive expertise in academy financial management to uphold our trust’s reputation for exemplary practice.

She oversees finance, payroll, estate management (including PFI), IT, and human resources.

Charlotte has successfully managed large-scale capital construction projects, such as the expansion of Totley Primary School and the construction of Mercia School.

Her substantial experience includes guiding schools through the transition process into our trust as either converter or sponsored academies.

Michele Nott, Executive Primary Headteacher

As headteacher of Nether Edge Primary School and executive headteacher for our primaries, Michele is committed to embedding strong values and maintaining high expectations for all.

Michele also provides strategic direction and shapes the school’s future vision.

She leads on culture, curriculum development, teaching and assessment, whilst ensuring effective organisational management.

Michele is committed to the professional growth of all staff, ensuring collaboration and development across her team and our trust.

She supports leaders across all aspects of the school, whilst strengthening connections within the wider community.

Rhona Dodds, Chair of Board and SEND Link

Former NHS professional with extensive experience in clinical audit, management, and quality improvement.

Rhona is also the SEND link trustee.

Trustees oversee trust strategy, performance, policy, finance, risk and audit, HR and all aspects of business management.

Trustees are unpaid volunteers but form a critical part of our trust structure of governance.

Malcolm Butler

Vice President and Director of Global Engagement at University of Sheffield

Malcolm is a trustee and chair of HR and remuneration committee.

Trustees oversee trust strategy, performance, policy, finance, risk and audit, HR and all aspects of business management.

Trustees are unpaid volunteers but form a critical part of our trust structure of governance.

Bolawa Karim

Technology Programme Lead at HSBC

Trustees oversee trust strategy, performance, policy, finance, risk and audit, HR and all aspects of business management.

Trustees are unpaid volunteers but form a critical part of our trust structure of governance.

Sarah Mashford

Partner at Eversheds Sutherland

Trustees oversee trust strategy, performance, policy, finance, risk and audit, HR and all aspects of business management.

Trustees are unpaid volunteers but form a critical part of our trust structure of governance.

Esme Pogue

Senior Legal Counsel (Product) at EE Limited

Trustees oversee trust strategy, performance, policy, finance, risk and audit, HR and all aspects of business management.

Trustees are unpaid volunteers but form a critical part of our trust structure of governance.

Joanne Powell

Regional Director at Astrea Academy Trust

Trustees oversee trust strategy, performance, policy, finance, risk and audit, HR and all aspects of business management.

Trustees are unpaid volunteers but form a critical part of our trust structure of governance.

Mark Rusling

Elected Councillor for Brightside/Shiregreen and Head of Training at Antisemitism Policy Trust

Trustees oversee trust strategy, performance, policy, finance, risk and audit, HR and all aspects of business management.

Trustees are unpaid volunteers but form a critical part of our trust structure of governance.

Andrew Thomas

Director – Funding & Financial Oversight Directorate, Department for Education

Andrew is vice chair of the board and chair of the finance risk and audit committee.

Trustees oversee trust strategy, performance, policy, finance, risk and audit, HR and all aspects of business management.

Trustees are unpaid volunteers but form a critical part of our trust structure of governance.

Stuart Voyce

Executive Director of School Improvement at Resilience Multi Academy Trust

Trustees oversee trust strategy, performance, policy, finance, risk and audit, HR and all aspects of business management.

Trustees are unpaid volunteers but form a critical part of our trust structure of governance.

Patrick O'Shea

Chair of Governors, Anns Grove Primary School

Local governors act as a critical friend to our schools’ senior leaders, supporting and reviewing areas relating to pupil achievement, behaviour, attendance and support for vulnerable pupils.

Richard Thackray

Chair of Governors, King Ecgbert School

Local governors act as a critical friend to our schools’ senior leaders, supporting and reviewing areas relating to pupil achievement, behaviour, attendance and support for vulnerable pupils.

Jackie Arundale

Chair of Governors, Mercia School

Local governors act as a critical friend to our schools’ senior leaders, supporting and reviewing areas relating to pupil achievement, behaviour, attendance and support for vulnerable pupils.

Emily Green

Chair of Governors, Nether Edge Primary School

Local governors act as a critical friend to our schools’ senior leaders, supporting and reviewing areas relating to pupil achievement, behaviour, attendance and support for vulnerable pupils.

Anne Quaile

Co-Chair of Governors, Newfield School

Local governors act as a critical friend to our schools’ senior leaders, supporting and reviewing areas relating to pupil achievement, behaviour, attendance and support for vulnerable pupils.

Tom Spreyer

Co-Chair of Governors, Newfield School

Local governors act as a critical friend to our schools’ senior leaders, supporting and reviewing areas relating to pupil achievement, behaviour, attendance and support for vulnerable pupils.

Nick Harris

Chair of Governors, Totley Primary School

Local governors act as a critical friend to our schools’ senior leaders, supporting and reviewing areas relating to pupil achievement, behaviour, attendance and support for vulnerable pupils.

Janet Collins

Co-Chair of Governors, Woodlands Primary School

Local governors act as a critical friend to our schools’ senior leaders, supporting and reviewing areas relating to pupil achievement, behaviour, attendance and support for vulnerable pupils.

Chris Jenkinson

Co-Chair of Governors, Woodlands Primary School

Local governors act as a critical friend to our schools’ senior leaders, supporting and reviewing areas relating to pupil achievement, behaviour, attendance and support for vulnerable pupils.

Bella Abrams

Group Chief Technology Officer, Jisc

As guardians of our constitution, members have the power to appoint and remove trustees and meet annually to receive the audit and trust annual report.

Rhona Dodds

Former NHS professional with extensive experience in clinical audit, management, and quality improvement.

As guardians of our constitution, members have the power to appoint and remove trustees and meet annually to receive the audit and trust annual report.

Chris French

Retired Education Leader

As guardians of our constitution, members have the power to appoint and remove trustees and meet annually to receive the audit and trust annual report.

Arnie Singh

Chief Commercial Officer, Veezu

As guardians of our constitution, members have the power to appoint and remove trustees and meet annually to receive the audit and trust annual report.

Phil Smith

Business Owner

As guardians of our constitution, members have the power to appoint and remove trustees and meet annually to receive the audit and trust annual report.