Key
Information
Governance Information
Members and Trustees
The WISE Trust Board has respected members of the local community from different sectors, including education, business, faith and local government.
Members
Chair of the Board of Trustees. Qualified as a teacher and until her recent retirement Margaret worked in the Faculty of Education and Society at the University of Sunderland, where she was the Associate Dean for Student Experience and Quality.
Dame Irene Hays is the owner and chair of the UK’s largest Independent Travel Agent which was founded in 1980.
During her early career she worked in local and central government as CEO and Director General respectively.
Awarded a CBE in 2008, she was made a Dame in the 2021 New Year’s Honours list for her services to training, education and young people.
Chris is a respected engineering innovator in the field of robo5cs and automa5on. He graduated in Mechanical
Engineering at Newcastle Polytechnic in 1977.
As Chief Execu5ve of The Automa5on Group of companies his knowledge, exper5se and enthusiasm has driven the
development, design and manufacture of innova5ve products and processes used around the world in the areas of
advanced manufacturing and logis5cs. He is the inventor of the iCart AGV and leads its ongoing development.
He spent 16 years in the academic world giving him a rare insight and understanding of the barriers that inhibit
technology transfer from academia to industry. He has successfully supervised Ph.D. and M.Phil. students and has
experience as an examiner. He was the grant holder for 2 Teaching Company schemes both graded as excellent. His
view that “Engineering is an Art constrained by the Laws of Physics” forms a core part of his design philosophy.
A belief that educa5on is the key to success for individuals and organisa5ons has led him to take up posi5ons of
influence in schools, colleges and universi5es. He is currently a Visi5ng Professor and Chair of the Mechanical
Engineering Industrial Advisory Board at the University of Northumbria and Chair of The Ashington Learning
Partnership Schools Trust.
His ethos at this stage in his life is simple: “The measure of a man is not only what he achieves for himself but more
importantly what he helps and encourages others to achieve.”
Is the Immediate Past-President of the Industry and Technology Division of the Royal Society of Chemistry.
In addition, he sits on the board of the NCUB. Until September 2017, Roy was Director of the £40M National Innovation Centre for Ageing at Newcastle University.
He was honoured with an OBE in the 2017 for services to science, innovation & skills.
Gordon has a long history of involvement with education having spent his whole working life as a teacher.Â
He has been involved in school leadership positions since 1974 including 12 years as a Headteacher of a primary school.Â
Trustees
Chief Executive Officer of WISE Academies. Qualified as a teacher in 1995, National Leader in Education and OFSTED inspector.
Received an OBE for services to education. Has been the driving force behind the development of WISE Academies as a high performing MAT.
David is Managing Partner of Elliott Associates.
He is a Chartered Surveyor, Fellow of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (FRICS) and a Chartered Construction Manager (Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Building).
David has a long history of serving as a school governor.
Founder and recently retired CEO of a multi-million pound construction company.
John was awarded an Honorary Doctorate of Business Administration (Hon D. B. A.) and a C.B.E.for outstanding service and contribution to the construction industry.
Robert is a Chartered Accountant. Currently Head of Finance Operations at Grainger plc, the UK's largest private landlord.
Responsible for the Rents collection team as well as Accounts Payable, Service Charge Administration and Property Insurance for the portfolio.
CEO of the Sunderland North Community Business Centre which offers a range of services including recruitment and employment services and training.
The organisation that she runs is responsible for two local day nurseries in the Sunderland area, so Nikki has very up-to-date early years expertise.
Louise is the co-founder of SDN Mesma Group, an award-winning technology and consultancy business working in the post-16 education and employment support sectors working with central government, universities, colleges and apprenticeship providers. She is the Lead Governor for SEND for Education Partnership North East college group. Louise has 20 years of experience in primary education governance
Qualified as a teacher in 1999. Took up first Headship in 2010.
Established a Free School which was judged as Outstanding by Ofsted in 2018.
Now serving as the CEO of a growing MAT in Durham. Qualified Ofsted Inspector.
Christine qualified as a teacher in 1995 and worked across the primary age phase.
She went on to become Headteacher of a nursery school which was judged Outstanding by Ofsted in 2013.
Christine has a wide experience of school governance.
Gemma brings over 12 years of experience across the legal and financial sectors and a strong track record of governance within education. She is a highly successful Chair of Governors, having supported two schools serving some of the most deprived communities nationally to achieve Outstanding and Good with Outstanding features outcomes. Her leadership has been characterised by high expectations, robust challenge, and a clear focus on improving life chances for all pupils.
Gemma holds a Law degree from Northumbria University (2009) and has worked for Northumberland County Council since graduating. Her professional background includes providing legal advice within a public sector setting, alongside earlier experience with Barclays Bank. This combination of legal, financial, and regulatory expertise enables her to contribute effectively to strategic oversight, risk management, and accountability at board level.
Passionate about education and social equity. As a Trustee of WISE Academies, she brings strong governance leadership, professional rigour, and an unwavering commitment to children and communities.
Governance Structure
