Directors

The Directors are responsible for the same three core governance functions performed by the governing body in a VA school: setting the direction, holding the headteacher to account and ensuring financial probity. As charity trustees, they must also ensure that they are complying with charity law requirements. Academy trusts are charitable companies and the trustees are company directors and must comply with company law requirements.

This may sound daunting, but, in reality, the duties are largely the same as those of a governor of a VA school, such as regularly attending meetings, managing conflicts of interest, seeking advice from the academy’s leadership team and ensuring the academy has appropriate procedures in place for reporting financial information.

Patricia Adams, Chair of Directors

Pat Adams retired as Executive Headteacher of 2 primary schools in the north of Manchester in August 2020. She has been a headteacher in Manchester for over 20 years. As a Local Leader of Education, Pat supported the leadership of several schools in the city over many years, including schools in the Ofsted category of Special Measures.

Pat served on Manchester Schools Funding Forum for 16 years and has been Chair of Manchester Local Authority Primary Strategy Group and Deputy Chair of the Excellence in Cities policy partnership. Pat has also served as Chair of Governors of secondary school in Stockport.

Michelle Flanagan, Vice Chair of Directors

Michelle Flanagan started working with the Trust as part of the volunteering programme of the Manchester Airport Group (MAG) back in 2012. She also a keen interest in the Trust, as her husband and his family all attended St Anthony’s and St Elizabeth’s as children.

She now serves as Vice Chair of the Executive Committee and is Chair of the Finance & Resources Committee.

In terms of her career, Michelle has over 30 years involvement in the retail sector, including 20 in travel in senior management positions. She is currently the Managing Director of UK business, HMSHost International, which is a major employer across the MAG group.

Tony Flanagan, Foundation Director

Alistair Moore, Co-Opted Director

Alistair Moore is a Parent Director and Chair of the Audit Committee of the Trust. He has lived in Wythenshawe for the last 30 years and is married with 4 children, all of whom have attended Ss John Fisher and Thomas More and then transitioned to Saint Paul’s Catholic High School. He therefore has a vested interest in how the schools are being run.

Prior to working for the Trust, Alistair has previous experience as a Parent Governor at Ss John Fisher and Thomas More. In terms of his career, he ran his own company for 15 years providing project management services to the construction industry.

With the experience Alistair has in both his personal and professional life, he believes he is well placed to ensure the schools operate correctly and provide the best education for the children.

Cristan Massey, Parent Director

Cristan is a Parent Director of the Trust and has a long-standing connection with the schools, having attended both St Elizabeth’s and Saint Paul’s himself. His daughter is currently a student at St Anthony’s, further deepening his commitment to ensuring the success of the schools within the Trust.

In addition to his personal ties, Cristan brings a wealth of experience from his professional life. He serves as the Head of IT Service Management at Pearson Education and continues his Armed Forces service as a reservist in the Royal Engineers, after having spent seven years in the military full-time. With his background in both education and the Armed Forces, he is dedicated to supporting the Trust in providing the best possible environment for students to thrive academically and personally.