Board Members (ID 1410)

• Tessa Mason
  Date Appointed: 16th May 2024
  Tessa Mason

  Tessa Mason is a highly experienced education adviser for both cross-phase MATs and the maintained schools’ sector in the North of England; she has strong, recent expertise and experience in leading and managing regional system change implementing new and existing education policy, and the brokerage and commissioning of school improvement from system leaders and strong academy trusts. Tessa has operated as a commissioned senior regional adviser, more recently in the Covid Support Programme and Trust and School Improvement Offer and is used to working in close partnership with DfE colleagues and regional teams to achieve policy outcomes.

  She has worked as a strategic adviser, mentor and coach to a large number of MAT CEOs and executive leaders, and is the Chair of Bradford Diocesan Academies Trust, a large and successful diocesan MAT based in the opportunity area of Bradford and reaching out across West Yorkshire. Tessa is very well researched, and up to date in terms of the current shaping of the educational landscape to provide the essential structures for effective school improvement ,accountability via governance reviews, curriculum compliance, the intentions of education policy and the implementation of new legislation.

• Bishop of Leeds or their Representative
  Date Appointed: 1st September 2024
  Bishop of Leeds or their Representative

• Ann Nicholl
  Date Appointed: 5th July 2019
  Ann Nicholl

  Ann has been a secondary school teacher for most of her career, taking on a variety of responsibilities, including twelve years of headship at an inner city Church of England high school. Following that, for sixteen years a school chaplain of a high school and primary school with responsibility as a stipendiary lay minster in the Leeds City Parish team. She presently serves as a Chair of Governors, as an active Samaritan volunteer and also is the Area Warden of LLM (Readers) in the Diocese of Leeds.

• Paul Whitman
  Date Appointed: 16th May 2024
  Paul Whitman

  For the first 10 years of his career, Paul worked for Barclays plc in a variety of retail banking roles in the UK and Africa. Since 2007, he has run his own business as an independent Learning and Development Consultant working across the globe with a range of diverse blue-chip organisations focusing on leadership and creating the conditions for team success. He is experienced in project management, program design and facilitation at all levels of leadership and enjoys the challenge of working and facilitating diverse geographical and cultural groups.

  
  Originally a founding Trustee of Abbey MAT and Chair of the Board for nine years, Paul is still motivated to help the Trust provide the best possible start in life for the children of Leeds which encompasses all aspects of education – academic, social and spiritual. Paul lives in West Park and is a member of St Georges C of E church where he also sits on the PCC. He is married with 3 children all of whom attended Abbey Grange Academy. Paul likes to keep fit and enjoys running, most recently completing his first full distance marathon. He is also a keen fell walker and is passionate about supporting live music.

• Bishop of Kirkstall, Rev Arun Arora
  Date Appointed: 1st January 2024
  Bishop of Kirkstall, Rev Arun Arora

  The Bishop of Kirkstall, Arun Arora, was consecrated on 15th July 2022 at York Minster.

  
  Having originally trained and practised as an employment lawyer, Bishop Arun worked as Director of Communications for the Diocese of Birmingham and as press officer to Bishop Mark Santer.

  
  He trained at Cranmer Hall, Durham and served his curacy while also acting as Director of Communications to former Archbishop of York Lord John Sentamu. After leading a Church in Wolverhampton, Bishop Arun served as National Director of Communications for the Church of England.

  
  Bishop Arun's appointment as Bishop of Kirkstall is a return to Yorkshire, where he served his curacy at St Mark’s Church in Harrogate.

Trustees (ID 1503)

• Gefrin Price (Chair)
  Term of office: 19/10/25 - 18/10/28
  Gefrin Price (Chair)

  Gefrin built an impactful career at Lloyds banking Group where he held a range of senior executive roles. His leadership experience includes managing large teams and complex operations, notably as Operations Director for the customer facing business areas. In this role, he oversaw Risk, Change Management, and Performance, driving key initiatives across the business.

  An MBA graduate, Gefrin thrives on collaboration and enjoys working with others to maximise opportunities and overcome challenges. He is also dedicated to coaching individuals to help them reach their full potential.

  Gefrin is married to Ruth and enjoys cycling, hiking, reading and cooking.

• Mark Bennington (Vice Chair)
  Term of office: 09/06/23 - 08/6/27
  Mark Bennington (Vice Chair)

  Mark currently works as a Further Education and Skills Consultant and sits on the West Yorkshire Bench as an Adult Crime Magistrate. Previously, he held senior posts in two GFE Colleges in the North of England and spent over ten years working for an Independent Training Provider leading the delivery of a national apprenticeship programme. Between 1983 and 2005 Mark served in the British Army in the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers. He is experienced in leading multi-site business operations, setting strategic direction and being part of and supporting leadership teams.

  Mark is committed to ensuring that the education sector seizes the opportunities that present themselves but also recognises the significant challenges the sector continues to face. He is a keen motorcyclist and enjoys visiting places of historic interest.

• Steve Simkins
  Term of office: 10/09/23 - 09/09/27
  Steve Simkins

  Steve is an Actuary and a Partner of Isio where he leads the Public Services team with many clients across the sector, including school academies and local authorities, working closely with colleagues on a wide range of issues. He is married toNaomi and has four children who have all attended Abbey Grange Academy. Steve lives in Calverley and is a member of St Wilfrid's C of E Church. In his spare moments Steve might be found playing the trombone or riding his bike.

• Charlotte Holmes
  Term of office: 02/09/24 - 01/09/28
  Charlotte Holmes

  Charlotte is an experienced HR Leader with more than 20 years experience in both large, complex Financial Services organisations and a smaller, more agile, Asset Management business. As a Professional Coach and mentor Charlotte is passionate about lifelong learning and personal development. She is excited about being part of the Abbey MAT Trustee team, looking forward to working collaboratively within the organisation to ensure it achieves its full potential for both students and colleagues. Charlotte has two grown up children and enjoys travelling with her Partner, spending time walking in the Yorkshire Countryside and taking time to read and visit the cinema or theatre.

• Matthew Short
  Term of office: 02/09/24 - 01/09/28
  Matthew Short

  Matt has worked supporting young people in higher education for over 15 years managing a range of different engagement, operational and commercial services. Matt is currently the Director of Business Development and Deputy CEO at Huddersfield Students' Union where he has responsibility for the co-creation and delivery of both the Organisational Strategy and People and Culture Strategy. Operationally this involves leading the central aspects of the charity such as commercial services, human resources, strategic risk management, finances and legal compliance.

  Matt holds qualifications in Health and Safety, is a Chartered Manager through CIM and is currently studying towards a Strategic People Management qualification with CIPD. Connected to his role at Huddersfield Students' Union, Matt is also a Director at Huddersfield BID (Business Improvement District) where he works to support businesses to grow, develop and attract people to visit Huddersfield.

  Outside of work Matt has been a volunteer at Greenbelt Festival for over 20 years where he is currently the Resource Manager with responsibility for over 100 volunteer stewards keeping the festival running smoothly and safely. Matt is also a keen field hockey player where he is currently the first team captain of Huddersfield Dragons.

• Tracey Thornton
  Term of office: 02/09/24 - 01/09/28
  Tracey Thornton

  Tracey's entire career has been in the education sector, including serving as a head teacher at several different schools in a number of different local authorities spanning the country. Her accumulated experience, knowledge and wisdom serve her well in fulfilling her role as Trustee and to ensure the best possible outcomes for all within Abbey MAT.

  Tracey still works in education, now using her passion for coaching to support the development of individuals and organisations. She currently works as an independent education coach and consultant offering bespoke support in all aspects of school improvement.

  In addition to her work in education, she is a qualified yoga teacher. Tracey enjoys socialising with friends and family, theatre trips, travel and walking her crazy black labrador.

• Wendy Adeniji
  Term of office: 02/09/24 - 01/09/28
  Wendy Adeniji

  Wendy Adeniji has significant school leadership experience,as Lead Principal in the ESF MAT, Principal at Trinity Academy Doncaster andresponsible for MAT-wide school improvement. Prior to this she was Principal atBradford Forster Academy (a Church of England School). She was Deputy Head atImmanuel College Bradford and at the same time she was a part time inspectorfor Ofsted, having achieved her Professional Certificate in School Inspection.Wendy has significant experience of SIAMs and section 48 inspections, havingworked in two church schools and preparing schools for successful inspections,such as leading Bradford Forster to an ‘outstanding' grade in 2018.

  Wendy is a speaker, trainer and author on Modern ForeignLanguage teaching, at both primary and secondary phase. She has writtenmaterials for the BBC, Heinemann and recently co-authored a book on MFLteaching. Wendy has a Masters in Education and previously worked as a Lecturerin Education at the University of Leeds. Wendy has three children who are youngadults and she loves travelling and the opportunity to use her languages, aswell as hill walking.

• Stephen Exley
  Term of office: 21/11/25 - 20/11/29
  Stephen Exley

  Stephen has worked in the education sector for more than two decades in a range of roles. After starting his professional career as a journalist, Stephen was appointed education correspondent at the Cambridge Evening News. He then spent a decade as a journalist at Tes (the Times Educational Supplement), initially covering the schools sector before being appointed Further Education Editor.

  After winning several national titles at the CIPR Education Journalism Awards, Stephen made the move into education policy, PR and public affairs. Following a stint at social mobility charity Villiers Park Education Trust, he joined the LTE Group of further education and skills providers based in Manchester. Stephen has also written policy reports for the Further Education Trust for Leadership thinktank and edited collections of essays for WorldSkills UK, and sits on UCAS' English Policy Group.

  Stephen has two children and enjoys walking in the countryside, watching live sport, travel and trips to the cinema and theatre.

• Honor Byford
  Term of office: 23/03/2026 - 22/03/2030
  Honor Byford

  Honor spent 36 years working in education, initially teaching English and Drama in Humberside. For the majority of her career she worked in West Yorkshire and was Headteacher of Ryburn Valley High School near Halifax.

  Since retiring she has been involved in governance, in both North and West Yorkshire schools, and has been a member of the North Yorkshire Improvement Board. Honor has been a MAT Trustee and was Chair of the Standards Committee on the board of the Together Learning Trust, which spans Calderdale and Kirklees local authorities.

  Honor was Chair of Governors at Abbey MAT's Holy Trinity CofE Primary Academy for five years, during which time the school had successful OFSTED and SIAMS inspections.

  Honor's interests outside of education are live music, entertaining her grandchildren and trying to keep fit.

• John Curbison
  Term of office: 20/05/2026 - 19/05/2030
  John Curbison

  John is a senior leader in the Civil Service, currently working in business governance, strategy and planning, leading strategic workforce planning, professional development and organisational change, with responsibility for budgets of approximately £45m. He has extensive experience in financial oversight, risk management and large scale transformation, including leading legislative change through Parliament and implementing national estates and IT programmes.

  Previously, John served as Official Receiver for Yorkshire and the Humber, operating in a highly regulated legal and financial environment, and has led large, multi site operational workforces across the UK.

  John has been a trustee for over 10 years at Holbeck Together, a community anchor charity in Leeds, where he sits on the finance committee and supports strategic planning linked to South Bank regeneration. He is currently undertaking a master's in leadership. John is a father of two, with a daughter attending an Abbey Trust academy and serving at their local church, and is active in rugby, supporting youth development, teamwork and inclusion.

  He brings a values led, strategic approach to governance, with a strong commitment to enabling young people and communities to flourish and achieve their full potential.

• Alison Cater
  Term of office: 21/09/2026 - 20/09/2030
  Alison Cater

• Richard Pierpoint
  Term of office: 24/09/2026 - 23/09/2030
  Richard Pierpoint