David Ross Education Trust

David Ross Education Trust

Our mission is to broaden the horizons of our pupils through the provision of a world-class education.

Governance

 

In a Multi-academy Trust, a single Trust is responsible for a number of academies. The MAT consists of the members and the trustees.

Members

The members are akin to the shareholders of a company. They have ultimate control over the academy Trust, with the ability to appoint some of the trustees and the right to amend the trust’s articles of association.

The current Members can be found at the Our Team page.

Trustees

In the Trust, the purpose of governance is to provide:

  • strategic leadership

  • accountability and assurance

  • strategic engagement

The Trust Board has collective accountability and strategic responsibility for the Trust. It has a focus on ensuring the Trust delivers an excellent education to pupils while maintaining effective financial management and must ensure compliance with:

  • the Trust’s charitable objects

  • regulatory, contractual and statutory requirements

  • the Trust's funding agreement

A current list of Trustees can be found at the Our Team page.

Local governors

Individuals who sit on local Academy Scrutiny Committees (ASCs) are referred to as ‘local governors’. This is because trustees can delegate governance functions to the local level. Trustees have complete discretion over what is delegated to each Academy Scrutiny Committee.

Local governors are at the heart of the Trust.

We have approximately 300 parents, business people and educationalists who volunteer their time and expertise for the benefit of our young people.

Harnessing their talents and recognising and acknowledging the impact that they have is critical. As a result, a great deal of work has been undertaken to refine roles and responsibilities, and support governors to help their academies become Outstanding.

The documents below outline how the relationships between the three groups work.

Articles of Association

dret articles of association.pdf

Scheme of Delegation

dret scheme of delegation 2024 2025.pdf

Terms of Reference 

Terms of Office 

Trust Board

Name

Term

(yrs)

Current Serving Term

Type/

Appointed by

Appointed  Date Term Due to End Roles Held 
Will Bickford Smith 4 years  First  Sponsor  01 Sep 2023 31 Aug 2027
Christine Counsell 4 years  Second  Sponsor  21 Mar 2023 21 Mar 2027
Richard Emerton 4 years  Second Sponsor  19 Feb 2022 19 Feb 2026
  • Co-Chair of Finance & Resource Committee
  • Chair of Remuneration & Nominations Committee
  • HR Lead Trustee
David Hall 4 years  Second  Sponsor  27 Nov 2021 27 Nov 2025
  • Co-Chair of Finance & Resource Committee
  • Finance Lead Trustee
Joanne Hoareau 4 years  Second  Sponsor  06 Feb 2021 5 Feb 2025
Nigel Langstaff 4 years  Second  Sponsor  27 Nov 2021 27 Nov 2025
  • Chair of Risk & Audit Committee
  • Audit and Cyber/IT Lead Trustee
Tracey Maloney 4 years  Second  Sponsor  27 Jun 2021 27 Jun 2025
  • Vice Chair
  • Chair of Education Committee
  • SEND and Safeguarding Lead Trustee
Andrew Read  Indefinite  Not applicable Diocese 1 Oct 2024 Not applicable
David Ross Indefinite   Not applicable  Sponsor  09 May 2007 Not applicable 
  • Chair

 Former Trustees (served in the previous 12 months)

Name Term (yrs) Terms Served Type/Appointed by Appointed  Resignation Date 
Peter Cantley  Indefinite  N/A Diocese  27 Sep 2020 09 Jan 2024
Peter French  Indefinite  N/A Diocese  10 Jan 2024 30 April 2024

Members 

Name Date of appointment 
Peter Cantley
(Diocese of Peterborough)
27 Sep 2020
Chris Houlding 06 Jan 2022
David Overton 19 Feb 2014
David Ross 09 May 2007
Caroline Ryder 16 Nov 2023
Joanne Hoareau
(The Ross Foundation)   
06 Feb 2017

 Former Members (served in the previous 12 months) 

No members have left the Trust in the previous 12 months. 

Executive Team 

Name  Position Date of appointment 
Stuart Burns  Chief Executive Officer 8 July 2020
Jane Spencer  Chief Finance Officer  19 Mar 2018
Jonathan French  Director of Operations  6 Dec 2021 
Maria Maltby  Director of Governance and Company Secretary  20 Aug 2018
Rachel Ridgill Director of HR  1 Sept 2018
Simon Rose Director of Primary Education 1 Sept 2016
Steve West  Interim Director of Secondary Education  1 October 2024 
Peter Wilson  Commercial & Transformation (Projects) Director 1 Feb 2023 

Declarations of Interest Including Governance Roles in Other Educational Institutions 

Trust Board

Name Entity Nature Notes From To
Will Bickford Smith Nothing to declare  - - - -
Christine Counsell Polyphony Ltd Director - 07/10/2004 -
Polyphony Ltd Husband is a Director (Stephen Layton) - 07/10/2004 -
Christine Counsell Education Consultant Self employed sole trader Training & consultancy in curriculum and teacher development. 01/01/2019 -
Opening Worlds Ltd Director Primary curriculum company since March 2021 11/03/2021 -
  Department for Education Lead drafter of the Government’s Model history curriculum - 05/07/2022 04/07/2024
  Voice 21 Oracy Commission  Business or finance interests  15/04/2024 -
Richard Emerton RPE Consulting Business or finance interests Owner 16/03/2024 -
  Korn Ferry Employee Consultancy organisation 01/09/2010 02/01/2024
David Hall Deloitte LLP Retired partner with pension - 01/01/2002 -
JCB Academy Paid Financial Consultant Single academy school with significant apprenticeship schemes since 2017 01/01/2017 -
Keele University Honorary Treasurer and Lay Member of Council - 01/09/2018 -
Ballyclare Group Limited (formerly Best Dressed Group and Simon Jersey) Paid Financial Consultant - 01/12/2018 -
Robinson Webster (Holdings) Limited - trading as Jigsaw Non-Executive Director - 01/03/2019 27/04/2020
  New Schools Network Non-Executive Director and Chair of Audit Committee - 08/06/2021 -
Joanne Hoareau Ross Foundation (DRET Sponsor) Manager Formerly David Ross Foundation 01/01/2014 -
Frank Field Education Trust Trustee - 01/01/2017 -
DRET Trustee - 03/04/2017 -
New Schools Network Consultant - 01/09/2022 -
Nevill Holt Festival Ltd  Director - 23/01/2023 -
  Bobby Moore Academy Governor  - 24/10/2019 23/10/2023
Nigel Langstaff Lotuschart Limited Director Property Management Company 25/02/1998 -
River Farm Foundation Trustee - 17/08/2009 -
Autumn Stone Foundation Trustee - 16/12/2014 -
Renaissance Foundation Trustee - 14/09/2016 -
Ensemble Pour La Difference (UK) Trustee Charity 01/03/2017 -
TalkTalk Telecomms Group PLC Non-Executive Director - 15/11/2017 12/03/2021
School Space Ltd Minor Shareholder (1.2%) - 01/01/2018 -
  BookTrust Trustee - 25/06/2021 -
Tracey Maloney Buckingham University Lecturer and Tutor PGCE, MA and Med programmes - 01/01/2016 -
London Grid for Learning English and Literacy Consultant - 01/04/2019 -
T Maloney Ltd Director Consultancy Company 26/09/2011 -
Uppingham School Spouse is the Headmaster - 01/01/2016 -
Lodge Park Academy (DRET) Chair of Governors - 29/11/2021 -
eQualitas Consultant - 01/01/2010 -
Board of English Association Trustee and Fellow - 01/12/2020 -
E-Qualitas ITT Director - 01/03/2022 -
  Thomas Middlecott Academy  Other governance role - 10/05/2023 -
Andrew Read UK Education Research and Innovation Ltd. CEO & Founder - 18/03/2024 -
David Ross Nevill Holt Festival Ltd  Founder - - -
Mountain Berg Holdings Limited Beneficial owner Including ownership of Mountain Berg Limited and Kandahar No. 2 Limited and group companies. 15/11/2011 -
National Portrait Gallery Chair and Trustee - - -
Serpentine Gallery Member of Gallery Council - - -
Acresfield Capital LLP Director - 20/09/2000 -
Ballyclare Group Limited Ultimate Beneficial owner Formerly Best Dressed Group Limited, formerly Uniform Brands Limited, and group companies including Simon Jersey. - -
Nevill Holt Hall Farm (including Park Farm). Proprietor Park Farm is now operated by Great Easton Trading Limited, a company limited by guarantee in which David Ross has no beneficial interest and in which he holds no formal position. - -
British Paralympic Association Director - 15/10/2019 -
Nottingham University Development Committee Chair and a member of the University Council - 01/01/2009 -
Ross Foundation Director and trustee Formerly David Ross Foundation 03/07/2007 -
Mountain Berg Ltd (FK Oval (2245) Ltd) Director - 17/11/2011 -
New Schools Network Director - 26/02/2016 -
Holyoaks Farm Limited Director - 24/09/2014 -
British Olympic Foundation Chair - 22/05/2022 -
The Jigsaw Foundation for the Creative Arts Limited Director Company limited by guarantee which will, in due course, seek registration with the Charities Commission to be a registered Charity 02/12/2022 -
Frank Field Education Trust Trustee - 07/12/2015 06/12/2018
Human Love Director and Trustee - 01/02/2018 15/01/2021
Royal Opera House Chair - 01/09/2020 13/05/2021
  British Olympic Association Director - 02/06/2011 24/09/2021

 Former Trustees (served in the previous 12 months)

Member Entity Nature From To
Peter Cantley - Diocese of Peterborough Peterborough Diocesan Board of Education Director of Education who oversees marketing and delivery of the SLA with schools 01/01/2018 -
  Peterborough Diocese Education Trust Trustee 15/03/2018 30/09/2020
  Peterborough Diocese Church Schools Trust Director/ Trustee 02/05/2018 -
  William Law CE Primary School Member 02/05/2018 31/05/2021
  Guilsborough Multi-Academy Trust Member 12/09/2018 -
  Pathfinder Schools Member 12/09/2018 -
  Innovate Multi-Academy Trust Member 12/09/2018 -
  Learning for Life Education Trust Member 12/09/2018 -
  Nene Education Trust Member 12/09/2018 -
  Rutland Learning Trust Member 12/09/2018 -
  St Mary’s Church of England Primary Academy Member 12/09/2018 -
  Hartwell Primary School Member 12/09/2018 -
  Evolve Church Academies Trust Member 13/09/2018 -
  Peterborough Diocese Education Trust Member 30/09/2020 -
Peter French - Diocese of Peterborough Labour Party / UNITE Member 01/10/2018 -
  Rutland Learning Trust Director 04/04/2019 -
  Innovate MAT Director 04/04/2019 -
  Evolve MAT Director 04/04/2019 -
  Peterborough Diocese Deputy Director of Education 25/04/2020 -
  Learning for Life Trust Director 25/04/2020 -
  Nene Education Trust Director 01/09/2022 -
  Newborough iEB Other governance role 18/03/2024 -
  Hamstead Hall Academy Trust Trustee / Member 01/10/2018 31/12/2018
  Barchelai Trust Trustee 01/10/2018 31/12/2018

 Members 

Name Entity Nature Notes From To
Peter Cantley - Diocese of Peterborough Peterborough Diocesan Board of Education Director of Education who oversees marketing and delivery of the SLA with schools - 01/01/2018 -
Peterborough Diocese Education Trust Trustee - 15/03/2018 30/09/2020
William Law CE Primary School Member - 02/05/2018 31/05/2021
Peterborough Diocese Church Schools Trust Director/ Trustee - 02/05/2018 -
Pathfinder Schools Member - 12/09/2018 -
Rutland Learning Trust Member - 12/09/2018 -
Guilsborough Multi-Academy Trust Member - 12/09/2018 -
Learning for Life Education Trust Member - 12/09/2018 -
Innovate Multi-Academy Trust Member - 12/09/2018 -
Nene Education Trust Member - 12/09/2018 -
St Mary’s Church of England Primary Academy Member - 12/09/2018 -
Hartwell Primary School Member - 12/09/2018 -
Evolve Church Academies Trust Member - 13/09/2018 -
  Peterborough Diocese Education Trust Member - 30/09/2020 -
Chris Houlding Whitgift Foundation Governor - 01/03/2001 -
Whitgift Foundation Chairman of the Court of Governors - 01/03/2015 -
David Ross Consultant Contracted to provide broad consultancy to David Ross' private investment office 20/03/2019 24/04/2023
  10SJP Limited Employee - 24/04/2023 -
David Overton - Relative of Chair Second Cousin of David Ross (Trust Chairman and Trust Member) - -
Woodward Corporation Honorary Fellow - 01/01/1990 -
Caroline Ryder David Ross Foundation Trustee - - -
  Great Bradley Farms Company Director - - -
Joanne Hoareau - The Ross Foundation Ross Foundation (DRET Sponsor) Manager Formerly David Ross Foundation 01/01/2014 -
Frank Field Education Trust Trustee - 01/01/2017 -
DRET Trustee - 03/04/2017 -
New Schools Network Consultant - 01/09/2022 -
Nevill Holt Festival Ltd  Director - 23/01/2023 -
  Bobby Moore Academy Governor - 24/10/2019 23/10/2023
David Ross Nevill Holt Festival Ltd  Founder - - -
Mountain Berg Holdings Limited Beneficial owner Including ownership of Mountain Berg Limited and Kandahar No. 2 Limited and group companies. 15/11/2011 -
National Portrait Gallery Chair and Trustee - - -
Serpentine Gallery Member of Gallery Council - - -
Acresfield Capital LLP Director - 20/09/2000 -
Ballyclare Group Limited Ultimate Beneficial owner Formerly Best Dressed Group Limited, formerly Uniform Brands Limited, and group companies including Simon Jersey. - -
Nevill Holt Hall Farm (including Park Farm). Proprietor Park Farm is now operated by Great Easton Trading Limited, a company limited by guarantee in which David Ross has no beneficial interest and in which he holds no formal position. - -
British Paralympic Association Director - 15/10/2019 -
Nottingham University Development Committee Chair and a member of the University Council - 01/01/2009 -
Ross Foundation Director and trustee Formerly David Ross Foundation 03/07/2007 -
Mountain Berg Ltd (FK Oval (2245) Ltd) Director - 17/11/2011 -
New Schools Network Director - 26/02/2016 -
Holyoaks Farm Limited Director - 24/09/2014 -
British Olympic Foundation Chair - 22/05/2022 -
The Jigsaw Foundation for the Creative Arts Limited Director Company limited by guarantee which will, in due course, seek registration with the Charities Commission to be a registered Charity 02/12/2022 -
Frank Field Education Trust Trustee - 07/12/2015 06/12/2018
Human Love Director and Trustee - 01/02/2018 15/01/2021
Royal Opera House Chair - 01/09/2020 13/05/2021
  British Olympic Association Director - 02/06/2011 24/09/2021

 Former Members (served in the previous 12 months) 

No members have left the Trust in the previous 12 months. 

 Senior Executive Team 

Name Entity Nature Notes From To
Stuart Burns
Chief Executive Officer
Nothing to declare - - - -
Maria Maltby
Director of Governance and Company Secretary
Havelock Academy  Governor - 14/06/2019 -
Thomas Middlecott Academy  Governor - 10/05/2023 19/07/2024
Lodge Park Academy  Governor - 31/07/2023 19/07/2024
Rachel Ridgill
Director of HR
Grace Dieu Netball Club Chair and Coach - 01/09/2015 -
Goodyear Shareholder - 01/01/2020 -
North West Leicestershire Netball Vice Chair - 01/08/2020 31/07/2023
David Ross Education Trust Son employed by the Trust Son Harry worked with the Trust to support the mass COVID testing for 4 days during March 2021, 1 day at CWC and 3 days at LPA.  Full recruitment checks were undertaken. 01/03/2021 31/03/2021
England Netball Leicestershire Volunteer - School coordinator - 01/06/2022 -
Coalville Youth Netball League Chair - 01/07/2022 -
  North West Leicestershire Netball League Chair - 01/08/2023 -
Simon Rose
Director of Primary Education
Nevill Holt Community Arts Director - 26/10/2020 -
Tristone Healthcare Ltd Volunteer on Independent Safeguarding Board - 03/12/2020 -
Transforming Lives Education Trust (TLET) Director  - 01/09/2022 -
  Peterborough Diocese Education Trust (PDET) Director  - 16/09/2022 -

Jane Spencer 

Chief Financial Officer

The David Ross Education Trust Employee - 19/03/2018 -
  Charnwood College  Governor - 05/02/2019 06/04/2023
Loughborough College Governor  01/09/2024
Peter Wilson
Commercial & Transformation (Projects) Director
David Ross Education Services Business or finance interests Director 21/03/2024 -
Jonathan French
Director of Operations
Nothing to declare - - - -

Steve West 

Interim Director of Secondary Education 

Greenfields Primary School and Nursery Governor  12/10/2024 -

 

King Edward VI Academy Governor  14/09/2023 23/09/2024

 

Thomas Middlecott Academy Governor  23/09/2024 -

 

Lodge Park Academy Governor  23/09/2024 -

Academy Governing Bodies, Chairs and Principals

Please refer to each individual school's Governance page for an up to date list of their ASC members.  

Contacting Us

The Director of Governance and Company Secretary (the Trust's Governance Professional) is Maria Maltby. Maria can be contacted at governance@dret.co.uk

Trust Board and Committee Meetings

Trustee Attendance at Trust Board 

Trustee  Attendance 2023/24  Attendance 2024/25
David Ross  6 of a possible 6 2 of a possible 2 
Christine Counsell  5 of a possible 6 2 of a possible 2 
David Hall  6 of a possible 6 1 of a possible 2 
Joanne Hoareau  6 of a possible 6 2 of a possible 2
Will Bickford Smith  5 of a possible 6 0 of a possible 2
Peter French   1 of a possible 1  Not applicable, not in post 
Richard Emerton  5 of a possible 6 1 of a possible 2
Tracey Maloney  6 of a possible 6 2 of a possible 2
Nigel Langstaff 5 of a possible 6 2 of a possible 2
Andrew Read  Not applicable, not in post 1 of a possible 1
Peter Cantley 3 of a possible 3 Not applicable, not in post 

Trustee Attendance at Education Committee 

Trustee  Attendance 2023/24  Attendance 2024/25 
Tracey Maloney (Chair)  4 of a possible 4 1 of a possible 1
Christine Counsell  4 of a possible 4 1 of a possible 1
Will Bickford-Smith 4 of a possible 4 0 of a possible 1 
Sue Deane (Non-Trustee Member) 2 of a possible 4  1 of a possible 1

Trustee Attendance at Risk & Audit Committee

Trustee  Attendance 2023/24  Attendance 2024/25
Nigel Langstaff (Chair) 4 of a possible 4 2 of a possible 2
Peter Cantley  2 of a possible 2 Not applicable, not in post 
Peter French  1 of a possible 1 Not applicable, not in post 
Andrew Read  Not applicable, not in post.  2 of a possible 2
Bob Stannard (Non-Trustee Member) 2 of a possible 3 Not applicable, not in post 
Ben Brown (Non-Trustee Member) 4 of a possible 4 2 of a possible 2

Trustee Attendance at Remuneration & Nomination Committee

Trustee  Attendance 2022/23  Attendance 2023/24 
Richard Emerton (Chair) 1 of a possible 1 3 of a possible 3
David Ross  1 of a possible 1 3 of a possible 3
Joanne Hoareau 1 of a possible 1 3 of a possible 3

Trustee Attendance at Finance & Resource Committee

Trustee  Attendance 2023/24  Attendance 2024/25
David Hall (Co-Chair) 4 of a possible 4 1 of a possible 2
Richard Emerton (Co-Chair)  4 of a possible 4 2 of a possible 2
Joanne Hoareau  3 of a possible 4 2 of a possible 2
Nick Teagle (Non-Trustee Member)  4 of a possible 4 1 of a possible 2

Trust Board and Committee Meeting Minutes 2021-22

 Trust Board and Committee Meeting Minutes 2022-23

 

Trust Board and Committee Meeting Minutes 2023-24


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
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