Trustees

Alex Macneill - Chair of the Trust

Alex is responsible for the financial accounting and controls at the East West Railway Company, which is a rapidly growing public sector company that is designing and building a new railway.  Prior to his current role, he worked for the Department for Transport and the National Audit Office (NAO).  This background helps the Trust to ensure taxpayers' funding of the schools is spent effectively, efficiently, economically and ethically. At the NAO he was responsible for the audit of the Department for Education’s Academies Sector Annual Report & Account, so he has excellent knowledge of the operating environment that academies and public services work in. He has served as a school governor in LB Redbridge since 2007, and has helped to guide three schools from unsatisfactory to either Outstanding or Good (with many aspect of outstanding). His full CV can be found on LinkedIn.

Paul Canal

Paul was the Managing Director of a Recruitment and Exhibition Company and has extensive experience both as a Charity Trustee and Chair of Governors in a London Primary School. A former Director of Regeneration body Stratford City Challenge, and Adult “Back to Work” training company Newham Wise, his commercial experience encompasses insurance, sales and marketing, “Search and Selection”, logistics and Social Media. Paul is also a London borough councillor.

Chris Curtis

Chris retired as Headteacher in December 2017 with over thirty years experience of working in good and outstanding schools. She also worked as a mentor and Local Leader of Education supporting schools in experiencing difficult times. She was an active member of the Diocese of Brentwood as well as the Redbridge Education Partnership working with Headteachers on various projects in schools.

Steven Hogan

After many years impacting on the lives of the young people around the Woodford area, Steven Hogan is the headteacher at Woodbridge High School within the London Borough of Redbridge.  Steven is an experienced leader of school strategy and direction, manager of systems and finances, student welfare and conduct and is fully committed to catering for all students' needs and ambitions, whatever their background.  He believes that being part of  schools with a child-centred approach is the very best way to increase life chances for young people and to help them learn about the world around them. He believes children and young people should have every opportunity to achieve the very best that they can. 

Amanda Jennings

With a proven track record of educational innovation, development and improvement, Amanda has an extensive range of leadership and strategic experience across the primary and middle school sector.  Prior to her role as CEO in Strive4 Academy, Amanda had successfully led several schools from requiring improvement to good and outstanding with Ofsted reports reflecting the ambitious culture of aspiration within each organisation.  Amanda has particular expertise in teaching and learning, safeguarding and developing leaders; she has led to school improvement work both locally and nationally.  Amanda has over 30 years’ experience in Education, with over 15 years experience of being a headteacher and she has held many positions of responsibility and leadership within schools.  Amanda holds both the national professional qualification for executive leaders and the national professional qualification for headship. 

Tom Lloyd

Tom has over 10 years of professional experience working in banking for NatWest Group, the majority of which has been in the in-house mergers and acquisitions team where he is currently a Director, leading on origination, assessment, and execution of acquisitions, disposals, and investments.  He is a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA), Chartered Management Accountant (ACMA) and holds an undergraduate degree in Mathematics from the University of Cambridge.  Tom has a long standing passion for volunteering in the education sector through mentoring, tutoring, and multiple academy trust Board roles. 

Ify Anyaegbunam

Ify has over 20 years of brand marketing experience delivering marketing strategy and communication across brands at Unilever PLC.  Ify is currently Global Brand Director, Dove Skin Care leading a multi-functional team to deliver product mixes and communication into diverse geographic markets.  A creative brand crafter with a passion for developing world class mixes and bringing them to market with impact, Ify has a strong record of delivering profitable growth through strategy, innovation, and purposeful communications.  Ify is a strong believer in community engagement, having previously volunteered as a Special Constable for the London Metropolitan Police.