Our Trust

Governance

Trust Governance Structure

The Trust governance structure consists of the Board of Members, the Strategic Board of Trustees, and three sub-committees of the Strategic Board.

The Chair of the Strategic Board of Trustees can be contacted at:

chair@thehearteducationtrust.co.uk

For any enquiries, the company secretary can be contacted at:

companysecretary@thehearteducationtrust.co.uk

Company members

Strategic Board of Trustees

Finance and Audit

Committee

Pay

Committee

Academy Scrutiny

Committees

Company members

The Trust’s Members are responsible for overseeing the work of the Trust’s Strategic Board of Trustees. The Trust’s Members are as follows:

Canon Peter Howard (appointed 21 March 2015)

Peter Howard was brought up in East London and worked for the Borough Treasurer’s Department in Newham before training for the Church of England Ministry at St. John’s College, Nottingham where he read for a degree in Theology at Nottingham University. After graduating he continued his studies undertaking research at Birmingham University into Religion and Inequality and Leeds University in Continuing Education.

He was ordained in 1977 and has served as a parish priest in Birmingham, West Yorkshire and since 1992 in Norwich. As a Parish Priest he has maintained a strong interest in community renewal in poorer communities. He recently served 8 years as Rural Dean of Norwich East and is Urban Officer for the Diocese of Norwich.

Education has been an important part of Peter’s work, and he has been involved in the training of lay people and prospective clergy. He has been involved in working with children throughout his life, serving as a youth leader, running children’s activities, and involvement in local schools, taking assemblies, choir training and small group teaching.

Since 1981 he has been a school governor, in Birmingham, Stanley near Wakefield and Norwich. For a few years he was Governor at Heartsease High School but his longest service, since 1992 has been as a Governor at Heartsease Middle School and its successor school Heartsease Primary School, now Academy.

Peter was a founder member of the Heart Educational Trust. During his time as a Governor he has also served as Chair of Governors in primary schools in Birmingham, West Yorkshire and Norwich. He is married with a grown up daughter, is interested in History, Current Affairs and Travel. His main hobby is music playing piano, organ and jazz trumpet.
Tim Payne (appointed 1 July 2021)

Previously a trustee of the Trust (between 12 June 2017 and 1 July 2021), Tim is an experienced Marketing Executive. With over 30 years’ international experience in the IT Industry, Tim is recognised as one of the top B2B marketers in Europe. Valued as an open, highly analytical, innovative leader with a successful record of marketing, business development and M&A experience gained with over 30 acquisitions.

With an in-depth technical knowledge of driving the Digital Transformation of marketing in EMEA, Tim successfully changed market perception of Cloud solutions to that of a leader; launched cutting-edge Channel Marketing programs rated highly by Analyst firm IDC; established EMEA Social Media strategy & global execution Hub and launched employee & partner advocacy programs reaching millions of contacts per week.
Shaun Porter (appointed 17 July 2024)

Shaun is also one of our trustees, and further information about him can be found below.
Past Members
In the past 12 month, the following members have stepped down:
- M Tait (19 September 2023)
- M Porter (6 October 2023, in order to take on Trusteeship)
- J Crofts (19 June 2024)

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Strategic Board of Trustees

The Strategic Board of Trustees is responsible for, and oversees, the management and administration of the Trust and the academies run by the Trust. The Board is also supported by a Company Secretary.

The Strategic Board consists of the following:

Laura Myles (Trustee, appointed 6 March 2017 and appointed Chair of Trustees on 5 October 2023)

Laura currently works at a HE/FE College in Norwich. She has previously worked at a high school in Norwich and with the associated feeder schools, this included working with groups of Senior Leaders, Governors and specialist staff. She has experience of working with schools in disadvantaged areas, including those with higher than the national average for SEN and Pupil Premium. Laura has experience of organising large events, educational visits and enrichment for pupils. Laura has been a member of the Local Governing Body and Local Advisory Board for Heartsease Primary Academy since January 2015, and more recently she has held the role of Chair of the Triad 1 Local Advisory Board across Heartsease and Lingwood Primary Academy.
Shaun Porter (Trustee, Appointed 5 October 2023)

Shaun is a retired Facilities Manager with extensive experience of property asset management and building services. He holds a BSc honours degree in Construction and Health & Safety, as well as an MBA. With professional training in asbestos management, HR and auditing, Shaun brings a wide skill set to Trust. Shaun also has much experience of maintaining statutory compliance and minimising business risk.

Shaun enjoys outdoor activities including golf and rugby, and spending time with his family.
Alaa Mohammed (Parent Trustee, appointed 21 July 2022)

Alaa has joined the Board as a parent Trustee. Alaa is a qualified architect and can therefore share her own knowledge to help improve the internal environment of our schools and classes, develop external spaces and the school perimeters, and make the most of the spatial possibilities of each school.
Tim Payne (Trustee, appointed 22 July 2024)

Tim has previously been a trustee and is also a company member, having been involved with the governance of the organisation for many years. For more information, see his profile in the Members' section above.
Past Trustees
In the past 12 months the following Trustees have resigned from the Strategic Board:
- J Crofts (deceased 19 June 2024)
- H Cubbage (ex officio appointment ended 1 September 2024 following transfer of employee to Unity Schools Partnership)
- Kevin Ward (resigned 2 October 2024)