Meet our MAT Board Members
Tim Edwards
Tim is an experienced senior manager, who has held a number of senior positions in public and private sector organisations, in particular in the Further Education, Housing and Regeneration sectors. He has significant skills and experience of strategic, performance and quality management, and social value.
Tim is a Director and owner of TJE Consulting a specialist consultancy business, Chairs of Leek United Charitable Trust and Martec Training and a Board member of VAST and MSV Housing.
Tim has an MBA from Keele and a 1st Class Honours degree from the Open University.
Born in North Staffordshire he has a strong commitment to the area and its economic growth and in particular education and training. Tim lives in Newcastle and is married with two children
Dr Sharon George
I am currently a Senior Lecturer and Course Director for the MSc in Environmental Sustainability and Green Technology at Keele University where I am a researcher working with industry and public sector to find solutions to climate change nationally and internationally. I have been a member of the MAT since 2016
Wendy Whelan
I have a passion for ensuring that through education everyone can have access to equality of opportunity. Since 2015 I have also been a Pupil Premium Champion qualified in undertaking Ofsted directed Pupil Premium reviews. I have also chaired a number of Education-Business partnership groups in past roles and think it is important for our academies to make solid links with non-education institutions – to this end we are growing our number of partners working as part of our Trust.
I am very proud to be Chief Executive Officer of United Endeavour Trust. We are proud of our achievements, of our staff and students and we are ambitious for continual improvement which progresses us towards achieving high academic and pastoral standards. We have a strong commitment to developing the whole child and to working in wider partnerships to allow our students to experience active citizenship and a good preparation for employability and a life based on developing well-being. We have only been a Multi-Academy Trust since October 2015 but we have developed clear structures for the successful governance and management of the MAT which are being used as good practice examples with a number of developing MATs.”
Jenny Johnston
In 2007 I led the setting up of an internal apprentice training facility which is EAL accredited, in which we have trained over 80 apprentices over the last 10 years. I am PGCE qualified and the West Midlands Apprentice Ambassador for the ESFA. I am proud to say that KMF have won awards for apprenticeship delivery and are one of the top 100 apprentice employers.
I am delighted to be a part of the United Endeavour Trust Board, as I work very hard to engage with schools and young people in Stoke on Trent to raise aspirations in STEM related subjects.”
Fiona Norfolk
“I have extensive experience of leading organisations through periods of transformation by providing strategic direction and clear communication. I have worked through a number of mergers/acquisitions and programmes where a company has chosen to fundamentally change its operating model.
In my last corporate role, I was the Managing Director of Portion Solutions Limited, a food packing company in the West Midlands. I now run my own business making personalised and hand printed products.
I have a BSc (Hons) Social Policy from the London School of Economics (LSE) and I am a fellow (FCMA) of the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA). I started my career as an accountant in practice and quickly changed to business accounting, progressing to Finance Director and then to Managing Director.
I am a Parish Councillor and a member of my local Community Association.”
Pauline Gibson
“I am privileged to be a Director/Trustee of the MAT Board. I am passionate about every child having an equal opportunity to reach their potential.
I am an experienced Board Member as well as being a Non-Executive Director in the NHS. As owner of Excel Coaching and Consultancy Limited, I also specialise in strategic leadership development, executive coaching, transformational teams, and culture change.
I am proud of my ability to create an environment where dynamic, cohesive teamwork and individual excellence delivers tangible sustainable outcomes.
I did not follow a traditional route through education and my Masters and other Post Grad qualifications have been attained alongside full time working. I have taught adults literacy and numeracy skills and lectured at University.
As a fellow of the CIPD I believe in the power of behaviour and mindset in achieving outstanding results.”
Donna Wilcox

I’m a wife and mother of four children aged between 12 and 18 who are either currently attending Sir Thomas Boughey or have gone through the school and are now studying at Newcastle College. I have been involved in our local community for many years, previously running several local church playgroups, volunteering at a local primary school, serving on various church committees, some of which I am still involved with, as well as being a school governor for over 10 years which has given me various and vast experience in this role. I have been very privileged to be the chair of governors at a local primary school and chair of governors here at Sir Thomas Boughey. I am currently employed by the local churches as benefice administrator.
Vicky Recine

My name is Vicky Recine, and I currently serve as the Chair of Governors at Newcastle Academy and a Director of United Endeavour Trust. I am proud to say that I am also a former pupil of Newcastle Academy. In addition to my role at the academy and trust, I am the director of Little Stars Childcare. Little Stars operates four childcare provisions in the local area and has been providing excellent services since 2004. My sister and I started as a childminding service, then expanded to include a Preschool in 2008. Since then, Little Stars have continued to grow in both size and success. My passion for childcare and education has always been strong. I have a BA (hons) degree in Early Childhood Studies, along with numerous other related qualifications. In addition to my work at the Academy and with Little Stars, I also serve as the Chair of Governors at Westlands Primary School. This gives me a comprehensive understanding and knowledge of the education system, starting from Early Years and extending beyond.
Dan Mullineux
As a former student of Clayton High School, I take a personal pride in helping the Academy excel and achieve strong results. I am passionate about Engineering and work as Managing Director of Bob Costello Associates, a mechanical and electrical consultancy.
I have considerable experience of the construction industry and throughout my career I have been involved nationally in both public and private sector projects in a broad range of market sectors. I am keen to champion and promote engineering careers and the strong foundations in maths and science required to achieve this.