FCAT Board of Trustees
Kathleen Evison (Chair of Trustees)
An experienced educator, having spent her entire career in teaching and leadership. Kathleen holds a PGCE, Masters in Educational Leadership and Doctorate in Organisational Leadership. She has been a teacher, SENCO, headteacher, and CEO of educational organisations and is currently a Delivery Partner Lead for the Ambition Institute.
Steve Wilson (Vice Chair)
Pen portrait to follow.
Andrew Hurley (Trustee)
Andrew has worked in a range of leadership roles in the primary education sector for the past 33 years. This has included experience of working in four different schools, seven years as a headteacher, four years as a Lancashire primary adviser and four years in higher education developing Initial Teacher Training at the University of Cumbria. He has gained experience as a school governor over the past 30 years including a period as Chair of Governors at a school in Preston. Before becoming a trustee, he acted as Vice-chair of Governors at Westminster Academy and currently chairs the board of Directors at Valley College in Haslingden.
Emma Williams (Trustee)
A qualified English teacher for 13 years. She currently teaches at a local secondary school and has a passion for providing quality first teaching and learning for all, but with a clear focus being on those students with special educational needs. Having personal experiences of a child with complex needs, it has motivated her further to ensure that existing barriers to learning are overcome and thus, enabling children with additional needs (and suspected difficulties) to thrive and to flourish, not just academically, but socially and emotionally too.
Simon Hughes (Trustee)
Vice Principal Quality and Curriculum at Blackpool and The Fylde College with responsibility for most aspects of learning, teaching and assessment. He is also the executive lead for T Levels. Simon has over 25 years’ experience in further and higher education colleges from teaching through to strategic management and inspection. He believes that education and training is a key enabler of social mobility and that it not only helps individuals, but the economy as a whole.
Amanda Whitehead (Trustee)
A HR professional with over 18 years’ experience across a number of industries. Amanda lives locally and is keen to have a positive impact in the community. Having worked at an operational and a strategic level, she is committed to providing respectful challenge, support and guidance to the Trust.
Mark Ascoft (Trustee)
Mark is a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England & Wales and has worked as a Finance Director for over 15 years. He has 10 years’ experience as the Finance Director of a residential special school and independent specialist college which has given him extensive knowledge of SEND requirements in the education sector. During his career he has overseen the planning and delivery of large capital projects and been involved in risk management, IT, business improvement initiatives and school governance.
FCAT Trustees and Members - Register of Business Interests and Attendance