Meet the Central Team

Jo Foulkes is the Chief Executive Officer for the trust and was appointed in September 2021 after 15 years working across SABDEN schools and with a previous business background. Prior to the role of CEO, Jo was appointed as Director or HR and Business in September 2015 and then Assistant CEO in September 2019, where Jo worked closely with The SABDEN Multi Academy Trust’s founder and previous CEO, Frank Stanford.

Carol Curd is the Chief Financial Officer for the trust and was appointed in September 2015.  Carol has worked in SABDEN schools for over 30 years with a previous background in finance and administration. Carol works closely with the schools Resource teams and Principals to manage financial procedures.

Anna is Head of Operations and Development and has worked at SABDEN for over 13 years, starting as a Commissioning Manager for community based Alternative Provision in College Central. She previously worked within the Local Authority prior to this and has a background in commissioning and projects. Anna oversaw the opening of The Workplace Free School which opened in 2020 and is currently overseeing the pre-opening of a new SEMH Free School on the Isle of Sheppey which is due to open in the Autumn of 2024. Anna is also responsible for a broad portfolio including strategic projects, policy and practice development, service reviews and development, staff CPD, external communications, commissioning, bids and grant management.

Jo Drury is the Head of Finance and Resources for the trust, having previously worked within a trust school. Prior to working within SABDEN, Jo has extensive experience working within the charity, retail and catering and hospitality sectors. Jo has implemented many new systems and procedures and continues to develop the effectiveness of current processes relating to payroll, personnel, staffing and finance.

As the People and Operations Manager for the SABDEN Multi Academy Trust, Leanne is responsible for all Recruitment, Personnel, Training, Development and Communications. Leanne works closely with the Head of Finance and Resources as well as the Head of Operations and Development. 

Theresa Payne is the SABDEN Finance Manager for the trust.  Previous to this role Theresa has worked within SABDEN schools for over 20 years with a previous background in finance, personnel and administration. Theresa works closely with the CFO to support trust schools with financial process and procedures.

Phil Ridley is the ICT Operations Manager for the trust having been in the role for over 8 years, Phil worked previously in Trust schools.

Karl Cloutt is the ICT Development Manager for the trust having been in the role for over 8 years, Karl worked previously in education as well as the department of transport and department of work and pensions.

Gareth Lucas has almost 40 years of teaching and leadership experience within education. In 2016 Gareth began working for the Teaching school delivering school to school support, NQT and whole school training. In 2022 Gareth became an Educational Consultant offering direct developmental support for teachers and senior leaders in a variety of settings. Gareth is currently helping to develop the new ‘SABDEN Way’ as well as running training programmes for the SABDEN schools which will enhance and inform policy and practice that reflect the current needs of young people. 

Rebecca Prosser was appointed in Summer 2023 as the Head of Safeguarding. She has over 12 years of experience in pastoral care, inclusion and as a Designated Safeguarding Lead. Rebecca will be responsible for the strategic leadership of safeguarding and child protection of children and young people across The SABDEN Multi Academy Trust. She will be based in the SABDEN central team, with deployment across SABDEN Schools to support safeguarding development.

Martin Waite was appointed in summer 2023 as the Head of Education (Secondary). He has over 20 years of experience in teaching and school leadership, in both mainstream and special school environments. Martin is responsible for the development of teaching and learning strategies, including literacy across the curriculum, curriculum planning and delivery, across The SABDEN Multi Academy Trust. He is based in the SABDEN central team, with deployment across SABDEN Schools to support teaching and leadership.

Jacqueline Prince-Smith was appointed as Head of Education (Primary) for the Sabden Academy Trust in July 2023. She is a former Head of Primary, Deputy Head of school and SLE.  She has worked in mainstream and specialist settings in both primary and secondary phases and has over 27 years of educational experience.   Jacqueline is responsible for supporting the development of the primary curriculum and literacy strategy for the primary provisions within the Trust. She also maintains oversight of primary placements within the College Central setting.  Jacqueline is based in the SABDEN central team, with deployment across SABDEN schools to support teaching and leadership.