Members

Andy Wilson | Member

Andy has over 31 years management experience as a skilled Director with extensive experience including strategic, operational, compliance, project, change and people management within a wide range of commercial and educational organisations.  Central to his success is his ability to set clear objectives, plan, develop and lead successful teams.  He is a Fellow of the Chartered Management Institute.  A founding Member of The Rowan Learning Trust in May of 2012 he has been involved as a Trustee throughout the challenges and successes of the Trust. 

With over 26 years of governance experience gained across several schools he was appointed by the DfE as a National Leader of Governance (NLG) in 2012.  As an NLG Andy has provided support outside of the Trust for other Chairs of Governors and their Governing Bodies to improve how they challenge their schools’ performance.  He does this with his natural passion for Education built on his belief that young people deserve the best education to succeed in life.  Sharing his experience of understanding data, building relationships, evaluating performance, self-evaluation and how to hold effective meetings.  Providing support to High schools, Primary schools, Pupil Referral Units, Academies and Multi Academy Trusts. 

He is an experienced practitioner and has undertaken External Reviews of Governance providing an analysis of where improvement is required and agreeing a clear action plan with the governing body.  Andy continues to support Governance at all levels within our Trust.

Tony Colley | Member

After graduating with a BSc degree from Leeds University Tony started his teaching career as a teacher of physics and chemistry before progressing through ‘the ranks’, at three different schools, to become Head of Science. After 13 years of teaching he was fortunate to be awarded a sabbatical year during which he gained an MSc degree in Management, leading to an appointment as Deputy Head of The Radclyffe School in Oldham.

He eventually moved to Wigan to become Headteacher of Golborne High School, and ultimately Headteacher of Fred Longworth High School for 14 years, before his retirement.

Whilst at Fred Longworth High School, he was appointed (on a part-time secondment) to the Department for Education as an adviser in the Academies Unit, establishing new Academies, Free schools and University Technical Colleges. Tony continued this work until his ‘re-retirement’ in 2019. He currently continues his involvement in education as a community governor at a local primary school.

Nichola-Louise Richards | Member

Nichola has extensive experience working in the education sector. She is currently, Deputy Director of Education for REAch2 Academy Trust. Nichola has experience in primary, secondary, in mainstream and special school settings. She has a track record of transformational school improvement – leading schools from special measures to outstanding. Nichola is recognised by the DFE as a revolutionary school leader; being one of only 17 headteachers across the country to be accepted onto The Talented Leaders Programme.

She works across the country, experiencing the many challenges faced by schools working in areas of high levels of deprivation, inner-city schools, and in coastal settings. Nichola routinely works with colleagues in the DFE, ESFA and Local Authorities to achieve best outcomes for schools.

Margaret Woodhouse MBE | Member

Margaret was the Director of Education and Early Years and Deputy Director of Children’s Services for Trafford Council until her retirement in 2012. She was the Operational Director of By Schools for Schools which was subsumed into the GM Learning Partnership at the beginning of the academic year 2016-17.

She chairs the Greater Manchester Learning Partnership, which brings together all the key education bodies (Teaching schools, Local Authorities, Dioceses, RSC, governor representatives) into a coherent strategic partnership to improve outcomes for the children and young people of Greater Manchester. She is the chair of the Trafford MBC Fostering Panel and works in a voluntary capacity as Chair of Governors at Manchester Academy and St Augustine’s CE school in Salford.

Carol Halford | Member

Trustees

Andy Wilson | Chair of Trustees

Andy has over 31 years management experience as a skilled Director with extensive experience including strategic, operational, compliance, project, change and people management within a wide range of commercial and educational organisations.  Central to his success is his ability to set clear objectives, plan, develop and lead successful teams.  He is a Fellow of the Chartered Management Institute.  A founding Member of The Rowan Learning Trust in May of 2012 he has been involved as a Trustee throughout the challenges and successes of the Trust. 

With over 26 years of governance experience gained across several schools he was appointed by the DfE as a National Leader of Governance (NLG) in 2012.  As an NLG Andy has provided support outside of the Trust for other Chairs of Governors and their Governing Bodies to improve how they challenge their schools’ performance.  He does this with his natural passion for Education built on his belief that young people deserve the best education to succeed in life.  Sharing his experience of understanding data, building relationships, evaluating performance, self-evaluation and how to hold effective meetings.  Providing support to High schools, Primary schools, Pupil Referral Units, Academies and Multi Academy Trusts. 

He is an experienced practitioner and has undertaken External Reviews of Governance providing an analysis of where improvement is required and agreeing a clear action plan with the governing body.  Andy continues to support Governance at all levels within our Trust.

Anthony Ball | Trustee and Chair of Finance Committee

Anthony is a C-level financial professional and a Chartered Accountant. He has a breadth of experience spanning financial services roles within the City of London and Europe, with responsibilities centred within the global investment banking arena and recently within PE investor strategies and start-up SME’s.

He has sat on several boards and has significant corporate governance, legal and regulatory experience. Prior to his role in the City, Anthony was a regular British army officer. More recently he served with the Grenadier Guards in Afghanistan.

Mel Chadwick | Trustee & Chair of Education Committee

Mel was a  HR manager, prior to moving into teaching. She has vast experience in senior leadership positions within sixth form colleges. Mel also has an SLE with specialism across the post 16 sector.

Samantha Davis | Trustee

Samantha is qualified as a Chartered Building Surveyor, with a masters business degree (MBA).  Her years’ experience is predominantly in the education sector. She provides a broad range of strategic advice to academies and multi-academy trusts from formulating and managing property strategies/master planning and undertaking of feasibility studies, programme and project management to the preparation of business cases and delivery of construction projects.

Samantha is experienced in the role of Contract Administrator and Lead Technical Advisor in the delivery of multidisciplinary projects from refurbishment/remodelling through to new school builds.

She held Director appointments for a number of national property consultancy practices and gained valuable experience in strategic planning, operational management, budgetary and financial planning for disciplines such as building surveying, architecture, FM, M&E engineering and successfully led departments with a turnover of circa £25 million per annum; and managed over circa 250 staff.

She has worked on a number of projects with the ESFA such as the development of their Condition Data Collection project and leading the team that undertook marking of the CIF applications. Since 2016 she has owned her own successful building surveying practice working with a number of academies and MATs in the North West and Yorkshire helping them achieve Condition Improvement Funding and support in delivery of their SCA. She has supported many MATs with due diligence in their expansion plans and providing strategic advice in formulating and delivery of their estate strategies.

Jo Davies | Trustee

Jo is currently the Executive Headteacher of ‘The Federation of Guardian Angels’ and Our Lady of Lourdes RCPS’, providing  primary education for ages 3-11, including a resource provision for children with ASC. She has vast experience in Primary Catholic Education, with many years being in senior leadership roles.

Jo has a breadth of experience in leading and developing middle and senior leaders through programmes such as CMLP; NPQs; Headteacher Mentor. She is a Local Leader of Education, supporting primary school improvement work within the Salford Diocese.

David Leonard | Trustee

David has substantial management experience in the transport profession across the North West. He is a member of the Chartered Management Institute. 

He has extensive governance experience in primary and secondary schools; as well as experience in safety management, HR and operational process implementation.

Andy McGlown | Trustee

Andy is currently Headteacher at St. Peter's Catholic High School. He has extensive experience in Secondary Education across a range of 11-16 and 11-18 schools. He is a National Leader of Education.

Andy has a wide range of experience in Secondary School Improvement work. He is also a member of  Liverpool Archdiocese Secondary School Improvement Trust Board.

Phil Rimmer | Chief Executive Officer & Accounting Officer

Phil has been in post, as Chief Executive, since 2019. He has a proven track record in school leadership having previously worked as a Headteacher, Executive Headteacher, and as a Director of Education. 

He holds an MSc in Educational Leadership and Management and the NPQEL qualification. 

Carole Roberts | Trustee & Chair of Audit & Risk Committee

Carole has extensive experience in banking and finance profession. She has experience in data, reporting, risk, management, change delivery and process improvement. Her proven leadership capability in delivering efficient and effective business outcomes. As well as having a wide experience of engaging with regulatory and governing bodies.  

Stuart Wilson | Trustee

Stuart grew up in Wigan and was a former pupil at Marus Bridge and Hawkley Hall and a student at Winstanley College.  Graduating from UMIST (now Manchester University) in 2003 with a Degree in Optometry.   Professionally, along with his wife, he runs a very successful optical practice serving a mix of NHS and private patients.  Using a family ethos and strong core values to provide the best possible care for all patients aligns closely with the values and ethos of the Rowan Learning Trust.  Stuart is involved with the day-to-day operations of the practice including managing staff, dealing with HR matters, ensuring compliance with NHS requirements and financial management.   Developing the need to be resilient, a meticulous planner and practitioner, there are many challenges to overcome to care for patient’s needs.  Stuart has two girls, one at High school and the other in primary school, giving him a good understanding of the education sector.  Having enjoyed the benefits of a good education he now wants to influence the education of the current and future generations to be able to achieve and contribute to society.  

Key Governance Documents:

Further information regarding our Members & Trustees including: the composition of our Trust Boards, appointments & resignations and attendance register.