Chairing a school trust board

Leading next-generation governance

Our Chairing a school trust board programme provides expert guidance and support for chairs who are looking to develop the unique skills and knowledge required to fulfil their leadership role. 

Trust board chairs play a critical role in the development of a strong school trust and thriving trust system. Chairing a school trust board is a great privilege and can be incredibly rewarding however there can also be times when the role is challenging and daunting. 

This programme is designed to equip chairs with the skills and understanding to meet the challenges of the role. It is delivered through a series of six 90-minute online seminars, with an additional opportunity to benefit from one-to-one mentoring with an experienced governance consultant to embed your learning and discuss how to navigate your unique leadership context.

Each seminar explores a different aspect of the chair’s role in leading, developing and empowering their trust board. Seminar leader, Jackie Eason MBE, provides practical advice on how to navigate the challenges of chairing, guest speakers share their professional expertise, and there is plenty of opportunity for discussion and networking with other chairs. Enhancing this experience with mentoring across four 45-minute meetings will additionally give you personalised strategic support to take your board forward. 

Who is it for?

The programme is practical and inspiring for chairs of trusts of all sizes. It is appropriate for:

• Newly appointed chairs
• Aspirant chairs and vice chairs
• Experienced chairs who wish to explore their role and evolve their trust governance towards a next-generation approach

What you will gain

This programme provides the opportunity to hear from experts, learn from other chairs and reflect on your own chairing style, by exploring:

• Team building, skills development and effective delegation that will make your role achievable and enjoyable  
• How to lead your trust through times of challenge and change with a shared purpose and clear strategy
• The development of a stewardship culture where trustees make well-informed decisions for long-term sustainability
• How to deliver robust accountability, through open communication with stakeholders and positive relationships with executive leaders

Mentoring option

Through mentoring we work with you to develop your personal and professional leadership skills and ability to deliver your trust vision and strategy. Mentoring conversations will be goal-oriented and led by you to address your specific aims and challenges. We believe that the combination of programme and mentoring support can be transformational in developing your approach and impact as a board leader. 

Mentoring for chairs can also be accessed as a standalone service through our trust development services.

Course speakers

Jackie Eason MBE

Consultant

Jackie Eason MBE

Consultant

Jackie enjoys undertaking external reviews of governance and developing Trustee training as part of the CST professional consultancy team. She is currently the Programme Director for the CST Chairs Development Programme and part of the advisory group for the CST Professional Community supporting Trustees and Governance Leaders.

Rama Venchard MBE

Chair, London South East Academies Trust

Rama Venchard MBE

Chair, London South East Academies Trust

Following 20 years in IT service and business change management roles in the retail, hospitality and banking, Rama has been an education management consultant since 2005. He supports various trusts in their growth strategies, and also offers his time in governance roles across the mainstream, special and independent school sectors. Rama also sits on the DfE’s London Region Advisory Board and was awarded an MBE for services to education in 2023.

Mel Aitken

Independent governance consultant

Mel Aitken

Independent governance consultant

Mel has experience of free schools, the maintained sector, trusts and independent schools and believes that effective governance makes a huge difference to the outcomes of children and young people. She believes the key to good governance is to act as advocates for all stakeholders ensuring strategic oversight for the triangulation of the ‘lived’ experience within the trust.

Nick Osborne

Chief Executive, Maritime Academy Trust

Nick Osborne

Chief Executive, Maritime Academy Trust

Nick Osborne is Chief Executive of Maritime Academy Trust. With over 25 years in education leadership, Nick founded Maritime in 2016 and has helped grow it into a values-led trust known for its creativity, collaboration and commitment to inclusion. He also serves as Chair of Trustees at Woodland Academy Trust and is a founding trustee of Maritime’s children’s charity, reflecting his deep commitment to improving life chances for young people beyond the classroom.

Emma Hughes

Head of HR, Browne Jacobson

Emma Hughes

Head of HR, Browne Jacobson

Emma has over 15 years’ experience in generalist HR in both the private sector and the public sector. Emma has worked as HR director and regional HR business partner for two large, national school trusts and regularly networks with other HR leaders in the education sector. This enables Emma to keep abreast of the challenges that schools, academies and school trusts are facing today.

Matthew Humphrey

Partner, RSM

Matthew Humphrey

Partner, RSM

Matt is head of the firm’s Enterprise Risk Management service group for RSM UK. He has over 25 years of risk advisory and consulting experience, having worked with Grant Thornton, the Audit Commission, as well as being a Head of Internal Audit within the public sector before joining RSM in 2004. Matt is an ICAEW associate and works across all sectors with all types of business.

Dr Lizzie Oliver

Director of Policy and Programmes, Trust Governance Professionals

Dr Lizzie Oliver

Director of Policy and Programmes, Trust Governance Professionals

Lizzie has 15 years' research consultancy experience in the education sector. She has chaired an international research organisation and worked with government, employer bodies, and national heritage organisations to deliver complex research and engagement activities. Lizzie is a graduate of the Chartered Governance Institute's Chartered Qualifying scheme and a former National Leader of Governance. She is a member of the Trailblazer Group for the Level 4 Governance Officer apprenticeship.