Andrew Barton

Trustee (Finance Specialist) and Chair of Mid Essex Anglican Academy Trust

​Date of Appointment: ​March 2015 

​Term of Office: ​4 years to 21/04/2027

​Appointed by: ​Members

Relevant business and pecuniary interests: PCC Member/Trustee for St Mary's Parish Church, Shenfield

Born in Chelmsford, I attended KEGS going on to study Metallurgy at Imperial College, London. During my early business life, wishing to broaden my outlook and opportunities, I studied for my accounting qualification. The combination of science and business disciplines enabled me to follow a career managing businesses in Nigeria and South Africa, America, New Zealand, Australia and Britain. Since coming to live in Shenfield in 2000, I have been an active member of St Mary's Church and for several years a member of the PCC. This involvement led to my appointment as a PCC Foundation school governor in 2011.

David Bryant

​Trustee (Resources Specialist)

Date of Appointment: September 2021 (third term)
 

​Term of Office: ​4 years (third term) to 04/09/2025

Appointed by: ​Members

Relevant business and pecuniary interests: Wife works in the office at Shenfield St. Mary's CofE Primary School

I was invited to be a PCC-appointed governor in 2013 at St Mary’s where both my sons attended, my youngest leaving in 2019 to attend St Martins and the eldest now at Nottingham University. I moved to the Trust board in 2018 and currently focus on premises matters. For most of my career I have worked in IT, specialising in the financial services sector and I hold a senior position at DXC Technology, a global IT services provider. I enjoy fishing, walking, badminton and football.

David Churchill

Trustee (Education Specialist)

​Date of Appointment: ​May 2020 (for third term)
 

​Term of Office: ​4 years (fourth term) to 31/03/2028

​Appointed by: Members

Relevant business and pecuniary interests: Director of The Kemnal Academy Trust (TKAT), Governor at Shenfield High School (from November 2019),Chair of Governors at Maldon Primary School (from December 2021) Wife Gill works for Ofsted.

With my wife Gill and son Oliver, we moved from South-East London to Essex in Summer 2011. Oliver enjoyed a fantastic seven years at St Mary's. I work for The Kemnal Academies Trust. TKAT looks after over 40 primary and secondary schools, and by learner numbers is one of the largest trusts nationally. I used to work for the Department of Education on a range of priorities (academies, school leadership, school funding). Before that, I was a languages teacher in schools in the UK and abroad.

Pauline Drew 

​Trustee 

Date of Appointment: 23/01/2024

​Term of Office: ​4 years to 22/01/2028

​Appointed by: ​Members

Relevant business and pecuniary interests: None

I have lived in Brentwood since 1992. I am a retired teacher and have taught in primary and two special schools. I have worked as a Primary National Strategy Literacy Consultant and a Primary National Strategy Manager – managing and deploying teams of consultants to raise standards in primary schools.  I have also been a local authority Adviser for English, EAL, and SEND & Inclusion, and have been a Primary English Lecturer for a SCITT.

I have two grown-up children and three lovely grandchildren.  I am a very keen gardener with an ongoing ambition to create a wildlife-friendly garden.

Stephanie Hedley-Barnes

Trustee (Education Specialist)

Date of Appointment: Dec 2018

Term of Office: 4 years to 04/12/2026

Appointed by: Members

Relevant business and pecuniary interests: Teacher at The Bromfords School. Billericay Education Trust. Father is Anthony Hedley, Essex County.

 I became involved with Mountnessing C of E Primary School when our daughters attended the school. I now serve as both Governor and Vice Chair on the Local Board having previously Chaired this for 2 years. I have a range of experiences in education, Local Authorities and nationally that I hope will assist me in the new role of Trustee for the Mid Essex Anglican Academy Trust.

I am currently a Secondary School Teacher after retraining when my children were young. Over the last 18 years I have been an elected District Councillor and managed committees, delivered projects. I have also worked with families of children with life limiting conditions and a range of special educational needs. Specialised in areas of deprivation. Managed Lottery Funded Projects and advised Local Authorities Nationally on Government Policy including at the House of Commons and to release DfE Policy nationally.

Likhon Muhammad

Trustee 

Date of Appointment: 26/02/2025

Term of Office: 4 years to 25/02/2029

Appointed by: Members

Relevant business and pecuniary interests: Director of Secondary Improvement at King's Group Academies

I am the Director of Secondary Improvement at King's Group Academies and have worked across three different multi-academy trusts. As a Headteacher of a variety of challenging secondary schools, I have focused on improving outcomes and have received acknowledgement from Ofsted for positively impacting the culture of a large inner London School.

I am a serving Ofsted Inspector and have experience of working as a leader of the central team of a successful MAT. Before joining KGA, I coached and mentored Headteachers and senior leaders across their secondary schools. I have also served as a school governor. Outside of education, I have taken on roles in the social impact sector, including serving as a non-executive director for a social value organisation.

I have co-chaired longitudinal research on social mobility, conducted by the Employers Social Mobility Alliance and am a member of the Worshipful Company of Educators and am a Freeman of the City of London.

I am married to Sara, and have two daughters. In rare moments away from my family and schools, I am trying to learn golf.

Laura Parker

Trustee

Date of Appointment: 21/01/2025

Term of Office: 4 years to 20/01/2029

Appointed by: Members

Relevant business and pecuniary interests: None

I have a daughter in Ingatestone Infant School and another who’ll start in 2025. Supporting the success of the school and contributing to the children reaching their potential whilst enjoying their time at school and feeling part of a nurturing community is something I’m passionate about.

I qualified as a solicitor in 2009. I then joined the Financial Ombudsman Service, becoming an ombudsman in 2013. The main function of an ombudsman is to make fair and impartial decisions. I’m presented with complaints about businesses relating to a variety of financial matters and I weigh up both sides, ask for more information where needed and decide whether the business complained about acted fairly.

I’m looking forward to using my skills and experience to support and challenge the school leaders in my role as a Trustee.

Sally Taggart

Chief Executive Officer, Director for Learning and Accounting Officer

Trustee

Relevant business and pecuniary interests: Husband is the Executive Head Teacher at Ingatestone Infants School and Ingatestone & Fryerning CEVA Junior School and is an Ofsted Inspector.

Director for Anglo European Education Trust

I was a Head Teacher in two different schools from September 2006 until September 2023, with NPQH and a qualified and former Ofsted Inspector.  I became the CEO of MEAAT in September 2014, moving fully to the role in September 2023. 

My previous experience includes school improvement of a school from satisfactory (identified by the LA as causing concern and at risk of inadequate upon inspection) to good consistently in challenging circumstances.  I have also led in a school within an ‘excellence cluster’. I am fully conversant with school improvement procedures and leading a highly effective team. I have mentored new headteachers and those requiring support.  I also provide school improvement advisory support to schools outside of the trust. 

Jennifer Whitwam 

​Trustee 

Date of Appointment: 04/07/2022

​Term of Office: ​4 years to 03/07/2026

​Appointed by: ​Members

Relevant business and pecuniary interests: None

I have practiced as a solicitor since 1999, with a 5 year intermission as a Lecturer in Legal Practice in higher education. My current practice is a mixture of all types of litigation and dispute resolution, including: personal injury; commercial and property disputes; and consumer disputes.   My previous role was at a global Insurance Law Firm, defending employers and public liability personal injury claims. My particular specialism was historical abuse and safeguarding claims against charities and local authorities, such as the Scouts and Lambeth. 

As a parent of two daughters, I am passionate about state primary education.  Previously I was a parent governor for 4 years at Ingatestone Infants School, with a particular focus on safeguarding.