The Trust Leadership Team

Michael joined Consilium as the outgoing CEO of The Priestley Academy Trust in Bradford. Michael drove successful change for the whole trust with a focus on collaboration and excellence with integrity.

During his tenure the trust won two national awards for his work. Michael’s previous roles have included Deputy CEO in the North East, Tyne Coast Academy Trust, overseeing primary and secondary provision as well as Director of Primary. Michael has a wealth of school improvement experience in several leadership positions. Michael is also one of the newly formed system leaders and coaches CEOs new to the role.

Michael is a Trustee for both Galileo Trust and One Excellence Multi Academy Trust in the North East.

John is the Interim Deputy Chief Executive Officer at Consilium Academies and has strategic responsibility for all operational areas of the organisation and the effective delivery of the following Consilium Academies central teams: Finance, Estates, IT, Marketing, Health and Safety and Administration.

John’s previous roles in education include Director of Finance and Trust Head of Finance. Prior to working in education John trained as an accountant at a top 8 accountancy firm specialising in Academy and Trust audit work and accounts preparation.

John is currently the independent chair of the audit committee for Bradford Diocesan Academies Trust and was previously a Trustee at The Hallam schools Partnership Academy Trust where he was Chair of the Audit Committee.

Nathan joined Consilium Academies in 2021 as Head of Estates, becoming Director of Estates and Operations in April 2022. He has worked in several countries as well as industries, focusing on large public sector and commercial estates. Prior to Consilium, Nathan worked in property and construction for nearly 20 years and was previously Head of Estates for the Science Museum Group as well as Director of Operations for Ascension Island Government.

Nathan brings a breadth of knowledge from his experience and focuses on the strategic management of the Built Environment and the supporting services to allow the schools to keep running. His main responsibilities include the management of business operation, catering, cleaning, health and safety and capital development

Elaine joined Consilium Academies as Director of Finance in June 2023, overseeing the finance function across the Trust. She works closely with the CEO, CFOO, and Executive Team to lead and develop a comprehensive finance service.

In her role, Elaine leads budgeting and forecasting processes and ensures the integration of Curriculum Financial Planning, providing decision-makers with accurate, real-time financial data and high-quality management reporting.

Elaine studied Accountancy at the University of Wales, Cardiff, and holds a Graduate Certificate in Management from the University of Salford. She is a qualified School Business Manager with both the Certificate and Diploma in School Business Management, and she also holds the CIPFA Certificate in Management and Financial Accounting.

Her career includes roles as School Business Manager, Executive School Business Manager, Head of Finance – Business Partnering, and Director of Financial Resource Management, across both mainstream and specialist education sectors, including Alternative Provision and post-16 specialist colleges.

Elaine is a Trustee at Endeavour Learning Trust, where she serves as the link Trustee for finance. She is passionate about ensuring that finance never becomes a barrier to success.

Craig has strategic responsibility for developing the Trust's approach to leading and advancing the people agenda. He leads the HR and L&D team, collaborating closely with the Education team to drive the ongoing development of both teaching and support staff across the Trust.

Craig joined Consilium Academies in 2020 as North East HR Manager, progressing to HR Business Partner (North East) in 2022, Head of HR in 2023, and Director of HR in 2024.

With a background primarily in education, Craig has 5 years of experience at a Russell Group university, 6 years in an FE College, and 2 of years in the NHS. He has a strong track record of leading and delivering change across a range of HR initiatives, with a focus on employee relations, strategic partnering, and employment law.

Craig works closely with senior Trust and school leaders to achieve organisational goals through effective people management.

Kate is an experienced educator and leader with a deep commitment to improving the quality of education and life chances for all students. She joined Consilium Academies in January 2020 as an Education Adviser, working closely with schools across the Northwest to drive school improvement. In her current role as Director of School Improvement, Kate leads a dedicated team focused on enhancing educational outcomes across the Trust's academies.

Before joining Consilium Academies, Kate held several leadership positions in schools across Liverpool, where she gained extensive experience in driving school performance and fostering high standards of teaching and learning. Her background includes teaching a range of subjects at GCSE and A-Level, with a particular focus on Psychology, and she has successfully mentored students to achieve academic excellence.

Kate is passionate about ensuring that all students, regardless of their background or circumstances, have access to the opportunities and support they need to succeed. She has been actively involved in governance, having served as a Primary School Governor, and has worked with the Girls' Network, mentoring young women, and helping them navigate their educational and career pathways. Kate has also collaborated with top universities, including Oxbridge, to support students from disadvantaged backgrounds in securing scholarships and progressing to higher education.

Kate consistently uses her work at Consilium Academies to advocate for the transformative power of education.

Owen has been with Consilium Academies since February 2017, bringing over 13 years of experience at a school level, including 4 years as a Headteacher. At a regional level, he has worked as an Executive Headteacher, supporting rapid school improvement within the North East Hub of secondary schools.

Currently, Owen is responsible for the North West and Yorkshire Hub of secondary schools, where he supports school leaders in implementing the Trust Framework for Excellence and works to deliver exceptional curricular and extracurricular experiences for all students.

With a strong track record of school improvement in a Multi-Academy Trust, Owen has significant experience in areas of social and economic deprivation, particularly with high proportions of disadvantaged and vulnerable learners.

Owen has also coached successful new and aspiring leaders, many of whom have gone on to secure headships nationwide. Additionally, he is an assessor for a national training provider in the National Professional Qualifications (NPQs) for Headship and Senior Leadership.

Allie joined the Trust in 2020 as a headteacher in the North East and was appointed as Regional Hub Director North East in 2023. She has a strong track record of school improvement at school and regional level often in schools in challenging circumstance. Allie is dedicated to driving change through strategic school improvement to ensure young people experience the best possible education and opportunities, regardless of their background.

She is passionate about supporting headteachers and senior leaders that she works with in the NE and across the Trust, as well as coaching new and aspirant leaders to reach their goals.

Prior to joining the Trust, Allie was selected for the Talented Leaders Programme funded by the DfE and relocated from the South East, to take up her first Headship in the NE in 2015.

Allie has also chaired the NE Teach First Strategy Board for a number of years collaborating with other leaders in the NE to ensure equity in education for young people in the North East.

Allie has a MSc in science education and a published monograph on her research documenting the impact of parental engagement in science and progress of key stage 3 students.