Board and Members

Claire Heald

Chair of Trustees

Claire is the Chief Executive of the Cam Academy Trust, a multi-academy trust in Cambridgeshire and Bedfordshire. Before that, she was National Director of Education at Lift Schools, one of the country’s largest MATs. She is a Trustee at educational charity, The Difference. She is a member of AQA's Curriculum and Assessment Quality Committee. She is passionate about educational equity and has expertise in MAT leadership and governance, school improvement, curriculum, reading and inclusion.

Jackie Cutchey

Jackie has been involved in education for more than 50 years. She started her career as a primary teacher in a London Borough ending in leadership roles in Suffolk. Jackie had a particular interest in special needs, gaining an Advanced Certificate in SEN. Having led four schools, including four years as executive head, she retired and became involved in school governance. She joined ALT as a trustee as well as a small trust in her local area. Jackie is committed to supporting all students to succeed.

Steve Purdy

Steve has had a successful career in business which included roles as UK Managing Director for a Fortune 500 company in the IT sector and UK Managing Director for a Global FTSE 250 company in the Services sector. Steve now runs his own business providing Performance Consulting, Executive Coaching and Leadership Development to clients looking to improve their performance within their professional and personal lives.

Toni Kittle

Toni is a Director of Education at Unity Schools Partnership and works within the executive team who support 33 schools, including primary, secondary and special. Toni has been a headteacher and executive headteacher within Suffolk and has a proven track record of transforming schools. Toni is a trustee for Essex and Suffolk Children's University, where she advocates for the most disadvantaged pupils. She has a particular interest in RSHE.

Indrajit Dey

Indrajit Dey is a chartered accountant with over 25 years’ experience in large InfoTech multinational corporations and has worked in several countries. He has expertise in Strategy Consulting, Finance Management and Mergers and Acquisition. He is passionate about making a difference in the field of education and has been on boards of education trusts since 2022.

John Irwin

John is a chartered accountant with over 30 years’ experience in investment management, both in the UK and abroad, and more recently in the charity sector. He is also a priest in the Church of England and brings both perspectives to the board of ALT. Although previously a trustee of a theology college, this is the first academy board on which he has served, and he looks forward to adding value in financial and operational areas while ensuring that the trust continues to provide the best education for all its students.

Melanie Gardner

Mel Gardner is currently General Manager of an agricultural company serving the UK market, bringing over 20 years of experience in Human Resources and Business Development. Known for her strategic insight and people-focused leadership, Mel has a strong track record of driving organisational growth through operational excellence. She joined the Trust in January 2025 and is passionate about promoting people strategy, engagement, and fostering a positive workplace culture. Mel is particularly enthusiastic about contributing to the Trust’s educational mission and supporting the development and success of both staff and students on their learning journeys.

David Hughes

David is a chartered accountant with 30 years’ experience. He trained with the National Audit Office, where he audited central government departments, including DfE and its agencies. In 2014, he entered the education sector, becoming finance director at a school in Kent. Since that point, he has led finance and operations at schools, multi academy trusts and even in further education. He is also a parent of children in the state school system. This broad experience puts him in an ideal position to support the Trust with its ambitious strategic objectives.

Helen Capron

Member

Dr Helen Capron has a background in education, working as a researcher and primary school teacher before training and working as an Educational Psychologist. She has been associated with the Active Learning Trust as a parent, governor and later Chair of Governors before moving to the member role.

Bob Crick

Member

Bob Crick has spent the past 27 years in education support and governance in the independent and maintained sectors, following a career in the Royal Navy as a logistician. He became a Member of the Trust in the Autumn of 2024 and brings a commitment to sound and pragmatic risk and resource management for the ongoing quality of education for each student and pupil.

Poppy Brown

Member

Poppy brings a strong legal and financial background to her role as a Member of the Board. As a qualified solicitor she specialises in banking and finance, advising in real estate finance lending transactions. Poppy was one of the first year 7 students to attend the first academy when it opened in 2002 and is committed to ensuring equitable access to quality education for all pupils.

Paula Aitcheson–Walker

Member

Paula Aitcheson–Walker is a recently retired headteacher and educator of 34 years, working in central London areas of high deprivation. She currently works, part time, for the London Diocesan Board of Education (LDBS) to deliver their 2030 vision for racial justice, running training and programs to promote Global Majority Heritage leadership in education, co -founding The Platform programme to deliver this aim. She also works as a school improvement adviser across London. Paula recently attended World Summit on Women and Girls in Parliament to receive the Justina Mutale Foundation Award for Iconic Female Leaders, for services to education and to the community.

Dai Thomas

Member