Appointed by: Ex officio (Chief Executive Officer)
Interests: None
Board of Members
Name: Geoff Norris
Appointment date: 01.09.2021
Term of office: N/A
Appointed by: Members of the Trust
Interests: Underscar Owners Club Ltd, Board Director of a non-profit-making company responsible for managing 25 timeshare apartments, since 2010.
Attendance 24/25: 4/4
Name: Jackie Slesenger
Appointment date: 01.09.2022
Term of office: N/A
Appointed by: Board of Members
Interests: Trustee of the West End Food Bank Charity since 2004. Co-opted Member of Sacre Advisory Group since 2008.
Attendance 24/25: 3/4
Name: Judy Storey (Chair)
Appointment date: 25.10.2018
Term of office: N/A
Appointed by: Original (signatory) member
Interests Registration Officer in Democratic Services at Newcastle City Council since April 2023. Two granddaughters attend Gosforth Junior High Academy.
Attendance 24/25: 4/4
Members who stepped down in the last 12 months
Name: John Hall
Appointment date: 13.10.2021
Term of office: Resigned 31.10.2024
Appointed by: Members of the Trust
Interests: None
Attendance 24/25: 1/1
Name: George Snaith
Appointment date: 01.11.2023
Term of office: Resigned 31.12.2024
Appointed by: Members of the Trust
Interests: Son has worked for Blackwell Books since 2017, which is a potential book/stationery supplier. First cousin, once removed of Lindsey Ferrie, who is a Trustee.
Attendance 24/25: 1/2
Trustees
Name: Zarqa Akhtar
Appointment date: 1.9.25
Term of office: 31.8.29
Appointed by: Members
Interests: Employed by Square 4 since October 2024. Child attends Gosforth Park First School.
Other role(s): Audit and Risk Committee
Attendance 24/25: N/A
Name: Lesley Bowes
Appointment date: 15.12.20 reappointed 14.12.2024
Term of office: 13.12.2028
Appointed by: Members
Interests: Spouse is David Bowes, who is a Governor.
Other role(s): Vice Chair of Trustees, Chair of Curriculum and Standards Committee, Finance and Premises Committee
Attendance 24/25: 8/8 (Board) 4/4 (Curriculum and Standards) 3/4 (Finance)
Interests: Newcastle University – Employee since 2008. Sheffield Hallam University – Employee – External Examiner, January 2022 to January 2026. First cousin, once removed of George Snaith, who was a Trustee.
Other role(s): Audit and Risk Committee, Curriculum and Standards Committee
Attendance 24/25: 3/8 (Board) 4/4 (Curriculum and Standards)
Name: Nick Girdler
Appointment date: 02.06.2023
Term of office: 01.06.2027
Appointed by: Members
Interests: Newcastle University – Senior academic since 2006. Newcastle Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Consultant, since 2006. Dunstan Steads Management Ltd – Director since 2021. Barnard Castle School, Board Member, since 2024.
Other role(s): Finance and Premises Committee, Curriculum and Standards Committee
Attendance 24/25: 6/8 (Board) 3/4 (Curriculum and Standards)
Interests: Knightsbridge Management Group –Director since 2004. Hawthorn Primary School – Joint Vice Chair since 2017.
Gosforth East Middle School – Governor since 2017. Newcastle Bridges School – Chair of Local Advisory Committee since 2017.
Excelsior Academy – Chair of Local Governing Body since 2017. Northern Counties School – Chair of the Local Governing Body since February 2023. Percy Hedley School, Chair of the LAC, since September 2024.
Other role(s): Safeguarding link, Finance and Premises Committee
Interests: 56º North - Director and employee since April 2022. Clusa – Director and owner since March 2014. Spouse is Key Stage 3 Lead at Callerton Academy since September 2023.
Other role(s): Staffing, Salaries and Performance Committee
Attendance 24/25: 4/8 (Board) 1/1 (Staffing, Salaries and Performance)
Name: George Snaith
Appointment date: 01.11.2023
Term of office: Resigned 31.12.2024
Appointed by: Members of the Trust
Interests: Son has worked for Blackwell Books since 2017, which is a potential book/stationery supplier. First cousin, once removed of Lindsey Ferrie, who is a Trustee.
Attendance 24/25: 1 / 4 (Board)
Callerton Academy Governors
Name: Julie Crumbley
Appointment date: 31.12.19 reappointed 01.01.24
Term of office: 31.12.2027
Appointed by: Trustees
Interests: None
Other role(s): Trustee, Chair at North Gosforth Academy
Attendance 24/25: 4/4
Name: David Bowes
Appointment date: 07.05.21 reappointed 07.05.25
Term of office: 06.05.29
Appointed by: Trustees
Interests: Spouse is a Trustee, Lesley Bowes
Other role(s): Governor at North Gosforth Academy
Attendance 24/25: 4/4
Name: Nick Girdler
Appointment date: 02.06.23
Term of office: 01.06.27
Appointed by: Trustees
Interests: Newcastle University – Senior academic since 2006. Newcastle Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Consultant, since 2006. Dunstan Steads Management Ltd – Director since 2021. Barnard Castle School, Board Member, since 2024.
Other role(s): Chair, Trustee
Attendance 24/25: 4/4
Name: Stacy Jones
Appointment date: 10.11.21
Term of office: 09.11.25
Appointed by: Staff
Interests: None
Other role(s):
Attendance 24/25: 3/4
Name: Matthew MacDonald
Appointment date: 6.12.24
Term of office: 5.12.28
Appointed by: Staff
Interests: None
Other role(s):
Attendance 24/25: 2/2
Name: Shona Taylor
Appointment date: 6.12.24
Term of office: 5.12.28
Appointed by: Parents
Interests: Employed by Newcastle College. Member of steering group for Newcastle Parent Carer Forum.
Other role(s):
Attendance 24/25: 1/2
Name: Cherri Blissett
Appointment date: 07.05.21 re-elected 03.07.25
Term of office: 02.07.29
Appointed by: Parents
Interests: Rocket Science UK Ltd – Director since March 2020. Fuel Research - Company Director since August 2024.
Other role(s):
Attendance 24/25: 3/4
Gosforth Academy Governors
Name: Naveen Athiraman
Appointment date: 07.05.21 reappointed 07.05.2025
Term of office: 06.05.29
Appointed by: Trustees
Interests: Royal Victoria Infirmary - Consultant Neonatologist since 2013. Children attend Gosforth Academy.
Other role(s):
Attendance 24/25: 1/4
Name: Steve Davison
Appointment date: 06.12.24
Term of office: 05.12.28
Appointed by: Trustees
Interests: Spouse is PA to the Principal at Gosforth Academy. Daughter is a Senior Learning and Pastoral Supervisor.
Other role(s):
Attendance 24/25: 2/2
Name: Nick Girdler
Appointment date: 21.03.24
Term of office: 20.03.28
Appointed by: Trustees
Interests: Newcastle University – Senior academic since 2006. Newcastle Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Consultant, since 2006. Dunstan Steads Management Ltd – Director since 2021. Barnard Castle School, Board Member, since 2024.
Other role(s): Chair, Trustee, Chair at Callerton Academy
Attendance 24/25: 4/4
Name: Mark Harrison
Appointment date: 01.09.23
Term of office: 31.08.27
Appointed by: Trustees
Interests: None
Other role(s):
Attendance 24/25: 1/4
Name: Amy Bonello
Appointment date: 01.05.24
Term of office: 30.04.28
Appointed by: Staff
Interests: Mother is a Governor at Great Park Academy and co-ordinator at Gosforth Academy.
Other role(s):
Attendance 24/25: 4/4
Name: Giovanna Gentile
Appointment date: 18.07.25
Term of office: 17.07.29
Appointed by: Staff
Interests: None
Other role(s):
Attendance 24/25: N/A
Name: Sarah Rae
Appointment date: 09.01.23
Term of office: 08.01.27
Appointed by: Parents
Interests: North Gosforth Primary Care Network, Local GP, since July 2019.
Other role(s):
Attendance 24/25: 4/4
Name: Olumuyiwa Oshungboye
Appointment date: 22.01.25
Term of office: 21.01.29
Appointed by: Parents
Interests: Director, Dabrosh Solutions Ltd.
Other role(s):
Attendance 24/25: 2/2
Great Park Academy Governors
Name: Dave Vero
Appointment date: 01.01.20 reappointed 01.01.24
Term of office: 31.12.27
Appointed by: Trustees
Interests: None
Other role(s): Chair at Junior High Academy
Attendance 24/25: 4/4
Name: Barbara Bonello
Appointment date: 09.07.21 reappointed 08.07.25
Term of office: 08.07.29
Appointed by: Trustees
Interests: Gosforth Academy – Exam Invigilator since November 2021. Daughter has been employed as a teacher at Gosforth Academy since 2021 and is a staff governor.
Other role(s):
Attendance 24/25: 4/4
Name: Lesley Bowes
Appointment date: 07.05.21 reappointed 07.05.25
Term of office: 06.05.29
Appointed by: Trustees
Interests: Spouse is David Bowes, who is a Governor.
Other role(s): Chair, Trustee, Governor at Junior High Academy
Attendance 24/25: 4/4
Name: Dan Talbot
Appointment date: 06.12.24
Term of office: 05.12.28
Appointed by: Trustees
Interests: Vice Chair of Governors, Dinnington First School. Keepmoat Homes, Engineer Manager.
Other role(s):
Attendance 24/25: 2/2
Name: Katharine Pringle
Appointment date: 09.07.21 reappointed 09.07.25
Term of office: 08.07.29
Appointed by: Trustees
Interests: Emmanuel College – Teacher, Head of Social Science. Connectment Ltd – Spouse a Director since 2013.
Other role(s):
Attendance 24/25: 3/4
Name: Michael Richardson
Appointment date: 24.09.24
Term of office: 23.09.28
Appointed by: Staff
Interests: None
Other role(s):
Attendance 24/25: 3/3
Name: Jo Lisgo
Appointment date: 24.09.24
Term of office: 23.09.28
Appointed by: Staff
Interests: None
Other role(s):
Attendance 24/25: 2/3
Name: Nicola Borg
Appointment date: 01.12.21
Term of office: 30.11.25
Appointed by: Parents
Interests: C&C PLC – Employee since 2003. Child attends Great Park Academy.
Other role(s):
Attendance 24/25: 1/4
Name: Eleanor Dawson
Appointment date: 01.12.21
Term of office: 30.11.25
Appointed by: Parents
Interests: Child attends Great Park Academy.
Other role(s):
Attendance 24/25: 3/4
Jesmond Park Academy Governors
Name: Roger Edwardson
Appointment date: 01.08.20 reappointed 01.08.24
Term of office: 31.07.28
Appointed by: Trustees
Interests: Owner and Managing Director of Roger Edwardson Education and Childrens Services Ltd since 2005.
Other role(s): Chair, Trustee
Attendance 24/25: 4/4
Name: Julia Morrison
Appointment date: 06.12.24
Term of office: 05.12.28
Appointed by: Trustees
Interests: Director at Morrison & Mann.
Other role(s): Trustee
Attendance 24/25: 2/2
Name: Deborah Bathgate
Appointment date: 12.02.24
Term of office: 11.02.28
Appointed by: Trustees
Interests: None
Other role(s):
Attendance 24/25: 4/4
Name: Karen Dews
Appointment date: 18.10.22
Term of office: 17.10.26
Appointed by: Staff
Interests: Heaton Baptist Church – Trustee since May 2022.
Other role(s):
Attendance 24/25: 3/4
Name: Yvonne Cookson
Appointment date: 01.01.24
Term of office: 31.12.27
Appointed by: Parents
Interests: None
Other role(s):
Attendance 24/25: 0/4
Name: Stacy Gillis
Appointment date: 1.11.19 reappointed 1.11.23
Term of office: 31.10.27
Appointed by: Parents
Interests: Newcastle University – Employed since 2004. Hotspur Primary School – Deputy Chair of Governing Board since November 2021. Children attend Jesmond Park Academy.
Other role(s):
Attendance 24/25: 3/4
Junior High Academy Governors
Name: Dave Vero
Appointment date: 01.01.20 reappointed 01.01.24
Term of office: 31.12.27
Appointed by: Trustees
Interests: None
Other role(s): Chair, Governor at Great Park Academy.
Attendance 24/25: 4/4
Name: Lesley Bowes
Appointment date: 07.05.21 reappointed 07.05.25
Term of office: 06.05.29
Appointed by: Trustees
Interests: Spouse is David Bowes, who is a Governor.
Other role(s): Trustee, Chair at Great Park Academy
Attendance 24/25: 2/4
Name: Phil Lumsden
Appointment date: 29.11.22
Term of office: 28.11.26
Appointed by: Staff
Interests: Spouse is employed at Great Park Academy.
Other role(s):
Attendance 24/25: 3/4
North Gosforth Academy Governors
Name: Julie Crumbley
Appointment date: 31.12.19 reappointed 01.01.24
Term of office: 31.12.27
Appointed by: Trustees
Interests: None
Other role(s): Chair, Trustee, Governor at Callerton Academy
Attendance 24/25: 3/4
Name: Anthony Young
Appointment date: 02.05.24
Term of office: 01.05.28
Appointed by: Trustees
Interests: PM Healthcare Ltd, Professional Consultant / Advisor / Editorial Board Member, since 2015. Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain, Professional Assessor, since 2021.
Other role(s): Vice Chair
Attendance 24/25: 3/4
Name: David Bowes
Appointment date: 07.05.21 reappointed 07.05.25
Term of office: 06.05.29
Appointed by: Trustees
Interests: Spouse is Trustee, Lesley Bowes
Other role(s): Governor at Callerton Academy
Attendance 24/25: 3/4
Name: Susan Pike
Appointment date: 30.06.20 reappointed 02.09.24
Term of office: 01.09.28
Appointed by: Staff
Interests: None
Other role(s):
Attendance 24/25: 3/4
Name: Sarah Welford
Appointment date: 18.10.22
Term of office: 17.10.26
Appointed by: Parents
Interests: Self-employed Hairdresser. Child attends North Gosforth Academy.
Other role(s):
Attendance 24/25: 4/4
Name: Jackie Salmon
Appointment date: 18.10.22
Term of office: 17.10.26
Appointed by: Parents
Interests: Northumberland and Newcastle Society – Employee since November 2016. Jackie’s Virtual Bureau – Sole Trader since June 2018. Child attends North Gosforth Academy.
