Co-op Academies Trust Board
The Trust Board is made up of experienced professionals who make strategic decisions for the Trust.
Our Committees
The Trust Board has six committees. You can check out the terms of reference for each one below. Outcomes Committee Growth and Development Committee Audit and Risk Committee Finance Committee…
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…
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…
Jane Cowell
Jane Cowell recently retired from the position of National Director of Young People’s funding with the Education and Skills Funding Agency where she was responsible for funding policy implementation and…
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…
Russell Gill – Chair of Trust Board
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 – Vice Chair of Trust Board
Mike Greenacre has over 45 years of business experience, primarily in the Travel sector. He retired from business as Managing Director of Co-operative Travel Group in December 2011 after concluding…
Patsy Kane OBE
Patsy Kane has served in education for thirty eight years. She became head of Whalley Range 11-18 High School in 2007 and then Executive Head of the Education and Leadership…
Shaheen Myers
Shaheen Myers took up post as Deputy Director of Learning for Leeds City Council in August 2021. Prior to this she was employed by Co-op Academies Trust, first as a…
Arati Patel-Mistry
Arati has been employed by the Department for Education since 2018, currently as Schools Engagement manager and previously in the role of Senior Case Officer for the Education and Skills Funding Agency….
Dave Robertson
Dave is currently a Technology Director with The Co-operative Group, which he joined in 2017 following a number of technology leadership roles in other retail businesses. Prior to joining the…
Gill Robinson OBE
Gill has been a headteacher in special schools for the majority of her career and her last role was CEO of a Special School Academy Trust in Huddersfield. She is…
