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…

Currently Deputy Director of Children’s Services for Leeds City Council he has the lead responsibility for learning, skills and universal services. Paul is focusing on improving learning outcomes for 180,000…

Steve Brice

Steve took up post as Principal at the Co-op Academy Manchester in April 2014 having worked previously as a senior leader in Lancashire and Hertfordshire. Steve has worked in outstanding schools…

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

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…

Flo Hadley

Having qualified as a secondary teacher, Flo taught in three urban secondary schools in the West Midlands before moving to work in higher education, first as senior lecturer in education…

Rufus Olins

A former journalist Rufus was editor at Management Today and went on to become managing director of Haymarket Brand Media. Rufus became Chief Executive at Newsworks, leaving in 2016 to take up…