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.

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.

Carol Curd is the Project Manager for the trust previously having held various leadership roles across trust schools.  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, Principals and site teams to manage health and saftey as well as compliance.

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.