Trustees

Chair: Andrew Bailey
Area of expertise: Strategy and Marketing

Biography:

 Andrew has extensive experience of helping businesses and people achieve revenue and profit growth through a combination of Strategy, Marketing, Pricing and commercial management. He considers himself a practitioner first and so knows what works and what doesn’t in real situations.

After a corporate career spanning 20 years across many business functions and leading at senior levels he started his own business. Andrew works with many businesses from Corporate Multi-Nationals (Molson Coors, Aggregate Ind., Cott, STG (UK) to SMEs, private and public sector (East Midlands Development Agency, Advantage West Midlands, Dept. Business Innovation and Skills) in a range of industries from consumer goods, construction, drinks and tobacco to online retailing, IT, printing, leisure, professional services and education.

He has published an e-book on Amazon, is writing his second book on Pricing, Value and Negotiating and is asked to contribute to other publications. His knowledge, tools and techniques are available through a published on line mentoring Programme. He regularly speaks at events and seminars on Pricing, Value and Negotiating. Holding an MBA from Nottingham Business School, Andrew is also a guest lecturer at the Business School amongst others and teaches to undergraduates, business students and company executives on the Executive Education Programme. He has been recognised and awarded Fellowships of a number of business organisations including the Chartered Inst. of Marketing, the Institute of Directors and Chartered Management Institute. In addition he is a qualified mentor and coach, Non-Executive Director and he is also a judge for the IoD ‘Director of the Year Awards’. 

Andrew Lobley
Area of expertise: Business

Biography:

 Andrew has spent all of this professional career in the water industry, working for three different water companies in roles spanning Operations, Engineering, Drinking Water Quality, Asset Management and Regulation.  He is currently Operations Director for South Staffs Water and Cambridge Water overseeing the delivery of clean, safe water to nearly 2 million customers.

Originally from Yorkshire, Andrew holds a degree in Geographical Science and in 2009 achieved a PhD in Civil Engineering from Swansea University.

Gill Martin
Area of expertise: Education

Biography:

Gill is a Modern Language graduate and since completing her PGCE has worked in secondary education in various pastoral and academic roles including Curriculum Area Leader for MFL, Head of Year and House Learning Manager. When she was promoted to the Senior Leadership Team, she had whole school responsibility for Data, Reporting and Assessment as well as line management responsibility for academic departments within the school. She is very proficient in the analysis and use of data and recognises the importance of using data to benchmark and measure improvement within the classroom and beyond.

In 2013 Gill became the Director of the National Forest Teaching Schools and in this role, has successfully developed partnerships with schools in the local area, promoting collaborative working in the areas of Initial Teacher Education and Professional Development for all staff, primary and secondary, teaching and support staff. She is also responsible for NQT and second year teacher development and is regularly involved in school to school support work in the local area.

In 2013 Gill successfully sought accreditation for her school to become a SCITT and as SCITT Director has successfully developed partnerships and built a team to lead on an ITE programme which will hopefully support the national agenda relating to the recruitment and retention of teachers.

Gill is a trained Ofsted Inspector for both school and ITE inspections.

BA Honours in German with French (2:2); PGCE.  

Kerry Brown
Area of expertise: Finance

Biography:

Kerry Brown is a Fellow of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (FCCA) with a degree in Accounting and Finance, and has over 20 years of experience working in Finance for the NHS. Kerry began her career in London and has held senior finance roles at Burton Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, and currently works for University Hospitals of Derby and Burton NHS Foundation Trust.

Kerry has extensive experience in budget setting, forecasting, and delivering savings through efficiencies. Kerry is a finance professional whose strength lies in technical accounting and financial analysis to uncover trends, risks, and opportunities. This analytical capability is paired with a drive to streamline processes and support informed decision-making across complex organisations. Kerry has also completed advanced courses in leadership and change management to support organisational transformation and strategic development.

As a Trustee on the Board and Finance Audit and Risk (FAR) Committee, Kerry plays a key role in financial oversight, risk management, and strategic governance. Kerry supports the Trust in maintaining transparent systems of accountability and assurance, with a focus on long-term sustainability and educational equity.

Laura Scigala-France
Area of expertise: 

Biography:  

Walsall FC Foundation are an organisation Trustee

Their expertise is in the local community and many of their programs of work provide support to the children and families that are part of our school community. Currently the representative attending the board is Joe Roberts and her bio can be found below.

Trustee: Joe Roberts
Area of expertise: Education

I have been working at Walsall FC Foundation for 8 years, I am currently the Manager for Education, within this role I oversee all our programmes that run within Primary Schools which include; our School Partners Agreement, Cyrille Regis Legacy Trust Strike a Change, Assist to Achieve, Kids Cup and Premier League Primary Stars. Within the Education department I manage a team of 12 staff on a weekly basis, running regular CPD and Training. Managing funding bids and the finances of the department also fall within my jobs roles. Additionally to this I am also responsible for writing impact reports for programme funders.

Prior to becoming Education Manager I was the foundations Premier League Primary Stars Co-ordinator and previous to this I was a PE lead within schools for 5 years. While working at Walsall FC Foundation I have also coached within the Academy and Development Programmes throughout my time here completing qualifications and coaching badges within the world of football.