Co-op Academies Trust Board

The Trust Board is made up of experienced professionals who made strategic decisions for the Trust.

Neil Braithwaite

After qualifying as a chartered accountant, Neil spent ten years in a variety of finance roles with Asda before gaining extensive experience in leadership roles across the Co-operative Group. His…

Mags Bradbury

Alongside being a Board Director of the Co-operative Academies Trust, Mags is an Associate Director in a large NHS multi hospital trust based in Central Manchester. Mags leads, for Central…

Jane Cowell is the National Director of Young People’s funding with the Education Funding Agency. She is responsible for funding policy implementation and funding allocations to schools, colleges and other…

Russell Gill

Russell Gill is Head of Co-operative Relations at the Co-op. He has worked for the co-operative movement since 1992 starting as a member relations officer in London and then fulfilling various…

Mike Greenacre

Mike Greenacre is a highly motivated and focused individual with over 45 years wide and varied business experience, primarily in the Travel sector. He retired from business as Managing Director…

Claire Camara

Claire Camara Awaiting Biography Date of appointment 01/09/2018 Term of office 4 years Date of resignation N/A Relevant business and pecuniary interests Awaiting Information Attendance record 2017-18 N/A

Eric Craven

Eric Craven was a teacher in special schools. He also taught the Open University’s course ‘Learning for All’ for 14 years. He became a headteacher of three schools. He worked…

Geoff Clarke

Geoff Clarke was a Solicitor for the Co-operative Group for many years as Head of Litigation and finally Head of Business Operations Development and Brand. Geoff has been a governor of…

Simon Bourne

Simon Bourne joined the Co-op in 2012 and has been CIO since 2014, accountable for all IT delivery across the group. He has over 25 years of experience of IT…

Nick Lowry

Nick Lowry became Principal of one of the original Co-op Academies, Co-op Academy Stoke-on-Trent in 2014 after previously being the Vice Principal since 2010. Co-op Academy Stoke-on-Trent was judged to be…

Shaheen Rasool

Shaheen Rasool took up post as Trust Professional Development Lead at Co-op Academies Trust in September 2017 having worked previously as a senior leader in one of the Trust primary academies. Shaheen has…

Gill Gardner

Gill Gardner is the Council Secretary of the Co-op Group, leading the team which supports the elected National Members’ Council, a key pillar of the Co-op’s governance structure. Prior to this…