Meet The Central Team

Creative Education Trust’s central team provides expert, responsive support that helps our schools thrive. Working in close partnership with school leaders, our teams strengthen educational excellence, develop people, manage risk and remove operational burdens, enabling schools to focus on their students, curriculum and communities.

Our approach is based on alignment, not standardisation. Shared expertise, systems and frameworks provide consistency where it matters, while respecting the character, context and local identity of every school.

You can meet our key people in the sections below.

the executive team

Led by the Chief Executive Officer, Creative Education Trust’s Executive Team provides strategic leadership across education, people, finance, technology, estates and organisational development. The team works closely with school leaders to ensure that every school benefits from clear direction, expert support and the collective strength of the Trust.

Its approach is rooted in unified purpose and empowered leadership. Executive Directors provide challenge and support, manage shared risks and help create the conditions in which schools can retain their individual character while achieving excellence and long-term sustainability.

Nicole McCartney

CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

Nicole has been a school leader since 2003, and in the academies programme since 2007 in both small, local trusts and large, national multi-academy trusts. She was designated a National Leader of Education in 2014 and has a wealth of school improvement experience gained through academy leadership, Executive Principalships and Executive roles within Multi-Academy Trusts. She is on a number of national advisory boards, and has supported a number of multi academy trusts in developing their operational models.

Since Nicole joined Creative Education Trust in September 2018, she has designed and implemented our Leadership Development Programme, lead on our ambitious curriculum development and assessment work and as our Director of Education from 2020, revised our model of educational delivery.

Nicole was appointed Chief Executive Officer of Creative Education Trust in April 2025 and has since led the implementation of the organisation’s strategic direction. Under her leadership, Unified Purpose. Empowered People. is being embedded across the Trust, providing a clear and ambitious framework for its continued development. Rooted in Creative Education Trust’s values of ambition, equity and opportunity, the strategy brings schools and central teams together behind a shared purpose: transforming lives through education.

Dr Jason Howard

DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION

As Director of Education, Jason leads Creative Education Trust’s Education Team and has executive responsibility for the educational performance and development of schools across the Trust. Working closely with Principals, Headteachers and senior leaders, he provides strategic direction across school improvement, curriculum, teaching and assessment, performance, inclusion, safeguarding, SEND, behaviour, attendance and personal development.

Jason leads a multidisciplinary team that brings together specialist expertise, evidence-informed practice and Trust-wide collaboration. Through shared frameworks, professional challenge and responsive support, the team helps schools establish clarity and consistency while retaining the flexibility to respond to their own learners, context and community. His leadership connects high academic expectations with equity, safety and personal growth, ensuring that every aspect of school life contributes to excellent outcomes and wider opportunities for learners.

Before joining Creative Education Trust in September 2021, Jason held senior school improvement roles within a local authority and a multi-academy trust and previously served as a secondary headteacher. He became one of Her Majesty’s Inspectors in 2013 and subsequently served as a Senior HMI in the East of England. Jason holds a doctorate in history and brings extensive experience in curriculum development, governance, safeguarding and organisational improvement.

Victoria Tricarico

DIRECTOR OF HR

Victoria rejoined Creative Education Trust as Director of Human Resources in August 2023. Victoria previously held this position at the Trust until 2019, when she joined the Competition and Markets Authority as Human Resources Director. At the CMA, she was responsible for formulating effective HR strategies and delivering a best-in-class HR service.

Prior to working at Creative Education Trust, Victoria was Head of People & Change at the London Borough of Haringey, and for six years before that she led the HR function at ARK Schools. Victoria has a wealth of experience in the Education sector including recruitment, talent-spotting and staff development, as well as in the more transactional aspects of HR including restructuring and industrial relations.

Victoria is passionate about ensuring that the Trust continues to be a great place to work by providing a positive, productive and fulfilling work experience for employees.

Catherine Hughes

DIRECTOR OF FINANCE

Catherine is the Trust’s Director of Finance and Chief Financial Officer (CFO). She joined the Trust in 2015 as Regional Head of Finance, was promoted to Financial Controller in 2017, and subsequently appointed Director of Finance in 2021. Catherine developed her passion for the education sector while working in audit, following the completion of her Chartered Accountancy qualification with the ICAEW in 2010. She holds a First-Class Honours degree in BSc (Econ) Accounting and Finance.

Gwayne Webb

DIRECTOR OF RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT

In his capacity as Director of Research and Development,Gwayne works closely with the education team leading on professional development, teacher recruitment and retention, and leadership training and support. The role includes delivering challenge and support to the schools and driving transformational change through collaboration and networking.

A specialist in English Language and Literature, and Psychology, Gwayne has 32 years’ teaching and leadership experience. He has been part of the Academies’ Programme since its inception and has held senior positions in cross-sector institutions, including most recently as Regional Director with one of the country’s largest academy trusts. Gwayne’s skill-set includes initial teacher training, change management, performance management, middle and senior leadership training and accountability, self-evaluation and governance.

Ash Mudaliar

DIRECTOR OF IT

Ash is responsible for the strategic development of IT within the Trust. Ash works closely with Creative Education Trust schools to support their IT development plans ensuring that they incorporate the schools' needs and the Trust-wide IT strategy.

Ash has a number of experienced IT Support professionals within his team who ensure that core IT services and individual schools are supported effectively. Through the use of the CETcloud services, he is able to ensure that pupils and staff have the tools they need to deliver and receive a high quality educational experience.

Ash has a BSc in Computing which he completed in 2007. Having worked in the education IT sector for over 10 years, Ash has extensive knowledge which includes managing complex IT projects and developing IT within the classroom.

Jon Ward

DIRECTOR OF ESTATES & FACILITIES

Jon has worked for a range of multi-academy trusts since 2007 on more than 50 estates and facilities projects. In 2017 he was recruited as a consultant by Creative Education Trust to manage the construction of the new Michael Dickson Building for Ash Green. He joined Creative Education Trust on a full-time basis as Head of Estates & Facilities in September 2018. Earlier in his career Jon worked on regeneration projects for the London Development Agency, and before that in Aerospace engineering, running factories to make aircraft and automotive components.

Leah Miller

DIRECTOR OF INCLUSION

Leah joined Creative Education Trust as Director of Inclusion in September 2026, providing executive leadership for safeguarding, behaviour, SEND and personal development across the Trust. Working with school leaders and specialist colleagues, she will champion high expectations, equity and opportunity for every learner, alongside providing executive oversight of several secondary schools.

Before joining the Trust, Leah spent five years as Deputy Director of School Improvement for another trust in the East Midlands, overseeing safeguarding and inclusion across primary, secondary and further education settings. During this time, she also served as interim Headteacher at two schools, leading one through an Ofsted inspection in which it was judged Outstanding. Earlier in her career, Leah was Headteacher of an outstanding all-through alternative provision in Cambridgeshire, specialising in supporting children and young people with complex behavioural, health and mental health needs.

A secondary mathematics specialist, Leah has held senior leadership positions in mainstream schools across the south of England, with responsibilities spanning safeguarding, SEND, inclusion, curriculum and behaviour. She has contributed to initial teacher training, worked as a master’s-level assessor for Plymouth Marjon University and completed the NPQEL. At the heart of her work is a commitment to ensuring that every learner receives high-quality support and leaves school equipped to fulfil their potential in learning and in life.

Ben Driver

DIRECTOR OF PERFORMANCE

Ben joined Creative Education Trust in 2020 as Principal of Caister Academy, following a successful career in school leadership. He has extensive experience of leading schools through periods of change and improvement, strengthening educational provision and securing better outcomes for pupils.

As Director of Performance, Ben provides strategic leadership for school improvement and educational performance across the Trust. He works closely with Principals, Headteachers and colleagues across the Education Team to evaluate each school’s strengths and priorities, coordinate targeted support and ensure that improvement activity leads to sustained impact.

Ben oversees the Trust’s approach to performance analysis, using data, quality assurance and professional insight to identify areas for development and support effective decision-making. He also leads colleagues with responsibility for key areas of educational improvement, helping to ensure that specialist support is coordinated, responsive and closely aligned with the needs of schools.

With a strong track record in leadership and performance management, Ben is committed to fostering high expectations, developing leadership capacity and promoting effective collaboration across the Trust. His work helps schools to strengthen teaching, curriculum and assessment so that every learner can benefit from an ambitious, inclusive and high-quality education.

the education team

The Education Team works alongside school leaders to secure educational excellence, strengthen leadership and ensure that every learner benefits from high expectations, inclusion and rich personal development. Its expertise spans curriculum, assessment, teaching and learning, performance, safeguarding, SEND, behaviour, attendance and personal development.

Schools benefit from evidence-informed frameworks, professional challenge, specialist guidance and opportunities to learn with and from colleagues across the Trust. These shared approaches create clarity and consistency while giving schools the flexibility to respond to their own context, learners and community.

Dr Jason Howard

DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION

Gwayne Webb

DIRECTOR OF RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT

In his capacity as Director of Research and Development, Gwayne works closely with the education team leading on professional development, teacher recruitment and retention, and leadership training and support. The role includes delivering challenge and support to the schools and driving transformational change through collaboration and networking.

Leah Miller

DIRECTOR OF INCLUSION

Ben Driver

DIRECTOR OF PERFORMANCE

Nimish Lad

DIRECTOR OF PARTNERSHIPS AND DEVELOPMENT

Nimish joined Creative Education Trust’s Education Team in January 2021, initially supporting schools with collaborative curriculum development. Since then, he has made a significant contribution across the Trust, developing strong relationships with school leaders, colleagues and external partners.

As Director of Partnerships and Development, Nimish leads the development of strategic partnerships that create new opportunities for our schools, students and staff.

Nimish also contributes to the Trust’s long-term strategic planning, helping to identify future opportunities and ensuring that the organisation’s development is purposeful, sustainable and aligned with its mission, vision and values. He works across teams to connect partnership development, community engagement, communications and pupil recruitment with the Trust’s wider strategic priorities.

An experienced senior leader, Nimish has a particular interest in the use of educational research to improve teaching and curriculum implementation. He completed his NPQH with a focus on using cognitive science to improve outcomes for all pupils and is the author of Shimamura’s MARGE Model of Learning in Action. He regularly presents at national education conferences, sharing how research-informed approaches can support improvement in the classroom.

Nimish is a member of the Confederation of School Trusts Policy Advisory Group, contributing to national discussions about education policy and system leadership. He also sits on the Trust Steering Committee for Steplab, supporting the development of evidence-informed professional learning at scale.

Sarah Morgan

HEAD OF SEND

Sarah brings extensive leadership experience together with a deep commitment to inclusion, social justice, and ensuring that every child has the opportunity to succeed. She holds a Postgraduate qualification in Education from the University of Bath, the National Award for SENCO (NASENCO) from the University of Birmingham, and the National Professional Qualification for Headship (NPQH). Sarah firmly believes that high aspirations, strong relationships, and a culture of belonging are fundamental to improving outcomes for young people with additional needs, and she is passionate about helping schools create environments where every learner can thrive.

Before joining the Trust’s central Team in 2026, Sarah served as a qualified SENDCO within Creative Education Trust, leading provision for SEND, EAL, mental health and young carers. Prior to this, she spent more than fourteen years at Whitley Academy, progressing to Deputy Headteacher. Throughout her career, she has championed inclusive practice, safeguarding, student wellbeing and equitable access to education, earning a reputation as a collaborative and values-driven leader. Sarah’s ethos centres on removing barriers to learning, empowering school leaders and staff, and ensuring that every child—regardless of need or circumstance—can achieve their full potential and enjoy a rich, ambitious educational experience.

Stacey Anderson

HEAD OF SAFEGUARDING

Stacey brings extensive expertise as a Designated Safeguarding Lead, with a proven track record across Nottinghamshire, Sheffield, and Rotherham. Before joining the central team, she served as the Designated Safeguarding Lead at The Bulwell Academy, where she successfully led the rapid improvement of safeguarding practices, securing an ‘effective’ judgment within just six months. Prior to this, Stacey headed safeguarding at Sutton Community Academy, achieving another ‘effective’ judgment and contributing significantly to the senior leadership team’s work in moving the school from a ‘Special Measures’ status to a ‘Good’ Ofsted rating.

As Head of Safeguarding, Stacey provides strategic leadership and direction for safeguarding across CET. She will be responsible for ensuring the highest standards of safeguarding practice, developing and implementing safeguarding policies, and overseeing compliance with statutory requirements. Stacey will lead on safeguarding training and professional development, strengthen safeguarding culture across all settings, and work closely with senior leaders to monitor and improve safeguarding performance. She will also oversee case management, safeguarding audits, and quality assurance processes, ensuring that all CET schools and services provide safe and supportive environments for children and young people to thrive.

Laura O'Shaughnessy

HEAD OF PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT

Laura is known for her unwavering passion and belief that education is about far more than academic success.

Laura is passionate about education beyond academics, focusing on self-belief, ambition, and strong values to help students shape their futures.

With 30+ years in education, she remains a PE teacher at heart and has held senior leadership roles, including Interim Headteacher, SENCO, and Assistant Principal, gaining deep insight into school communities.

In December 2024, she stepped into her "dream job" as Head of Personal Development for Creative Education Trust, leading a trust-wide effort to embed personal development at the core of CET schools. Her vision is to make CET a national leader in personal development, ensuring every student gains the skills, resilience, and opportunities to thrive.

Joanne Chambers

HEAD OF ATTENDANCE & ADMISSIONS

Joanne joined CET in January 2025 as Head of Attendance & Admissions, bringing with her a wealth of experience in pastoral leadership and school improvement. Prior to this role, she served as Vice Principal for Behaviour & Attitudes at Ellis Guilford School.

With a career spanning several senior pastoral positions across four secondary schools in Nottingham and Derby, Joanne has developed deep expertise in fostering inclusive school environments and driving improvements in student welfare. Her work has consistently focused on enhancing pastoral care and inclusion strategies to support student success.

Joanne is particularly passionate about improving school attendance and has been recognised by the Department for Education as an outstanding practitioner in this field.

Jo Bell

HEAD OF DATA STRATEGY

Jo has been working in education since 2001, when she became Exams and Data Manager at a secondary school and remained there for three years. For the following 17 years, she worked in two London Local Authorities education data teams. Jo moved to the multi-academy trust world in 2021, before joining CET in February 2024.

Since joining the trust, Jo has been working with the data team to better organise and visualise our data and improve use of systems, data quality and support to school Data Managers.

Lee Davies

HEAD OF MARKETING & PUPIL RECRUITMENT STRATEGY

Lee is a Chartered Marketer with a proven track record in strategic communications, brand development, and pupil recruitment across the education sector. His career spans senior roles in both individual schools and multi-academy trusts, where he has consistently used marketing as a lever for growth, reputation enhancement, and community engagement.

Lee’s work in a large secondary school saw him lead a transformation in public perception, doubling student numbers and supporting expansion at the request of the local authority. He later played a pivotal role in the launch of two new free schools and drove successful marketing campaigns to address under-subscription across multiple settings.

Passionate about the role of marketing in shaping school culture, Lee believes that effective strategy goes beyond promotion—it’s about listening to communities, building trust, and celebrating the achievements of students and staff. His work is rooted in insight, creativity, and a deep understanding of how marketing can support educational excellence.

the human resources & GOVERNANCE team

Creative Education Trust’s Human Resources and Governance Team supports our schools across the full employee life cycle, recruitment, workforce planning, professional development, governance, policy, data protection, and regulatory compliance.

The team works closely with school and Trust leaders to attract, develop, and retain excellent colleagues, while ensuring that governance is effective, transparent, and focused on supporting strong organisational and educational outcomes.

Victoria Tricarico

DIRECTOR OF HR

Victoria is passionate about ensuring that the Trust continues to be a great place to work by providing a positive, productive and fulfilling work experience for employees.

Vanda Roy

HEAD OF HR BUSINESS PARTNERING

Vanda joined the Trust in October 2017, bringing with her over two decades of experience in Human Resources across both the NHS and the Education sector. She holds a Master’s degree in Human Resource Management, which she completed in 2011, and has consistently demonstrated a strong commitment to strategic HR leadership and operational excellence.

Vanda leads a team of Regional HR Business Partners, providing expert guidance and support across a wide range of workforce matters. She also oversees the Trust’s HR and Payroll System, ensuring its effective operation and continuous improvement to deliver a high-quality, responsive service. Her leadership is instrumental in driving forward people strategies that align with organisational goals, foster employee engagement, and support a culture of continuous development and inclusion.

Vanda is known for her collaborative approach, her ability to navigate complex workforce challenges, and her dedication to delivering impactful HR solutions that make a real difference across the Trust.

Siân Gladman

HEAD OF RECRUITMENT

Sian joined Creative Education Trust with over fifteen years of senior experience in recruitment and business leadership within the education sector. She has founded and managed recruitment businesses and led regional operations for national organisations, developing a strong record in designing effective end‑to‑end recruitment processes and strengthening employer brands.

She has worked with schools and trusts nationwide, supporting them to attract, assess and appoint high‑quality staff. Her expertise spans candidate attraction, safeguarding and compliance, digital engagement, and strategic workforce planning. Sian has managed large recruitment teams, implemented robust compliance systems, and embedded consistent best practice throughout the hiring cycle.

Sian is committed to ensuring recruitment reflects fairness, transparency and inclusion, and that workforce planning aligns with organisational values and long‑term goals.

As Head of Recruitment, she leads the Trust’s recruitment strategy, ensuring every Creative Education Trust school is supported to secure exceptional talent and that our employer brand reflects excellence and integrity.

Holly Crofts

HEAD OF GOVERNANCE

Holly joined the Trust in 2024 as Head of Governance, bringing extensive experience in education and governance. She is responsible for ensuring that governance across all levels of the Trust is compliant, effective, and sector-leading.

Alongside governance, Holly and her team lead on website compliance, policy audits, and complaints handling. As the Trust’s Data Protection Officer (DPO), she also oversees all aspects of GDPR and data protection.

Prior to joining CET, Holly was Governance Lead across Cambridgeshire and Peterborough, and previously directed a successful community tuition centre in Peterborough.

Holly is passionate about making governance a culture, not a checklist, and works closely with a wide range of stakeholders to support strong and transparent governance across the Trust.

the estates and facilities team

Creative Education Trust’s Estates and Facilities Team ensures that our schools provide safe, compliant, welcoming, and effective environments in which students and staff can thrive.

Working closely with school leaders and site teams, the team oversees facilities management, statutory compliance, health and safety, maintenance, and capital investment across the Trust’s estate.

Jon Ward

DIRECTOR OF ESTATES & FACILITIES

Andrea Evans

HEAD OF ESTATES AND FACILITIES

Andrea joined Creative Education Trust in June 2025 as Head of Estates and Facilities. Prior to working at the trust, Andrea was the Lifecycle Manager (Construction Maintenance and Facilities Management division), at the London Borough of Enfield and before that Contracts Manager for a large PFI schools' contract with West Northamptonshire Council. Andrea is an experienced Estates Manager, having led on a number of multidisciplinary construction and estate management projects in both the private and public sector.

Andrea has a wealth of experience in the Education sector, which includes setting up facilities management services for a number of PFI schools, and delivery of statutory compliance and health and safety priorities, planned maintenance works, condition improvement programmes and refurbishment programmes.

The EdTech and IT Team

Creative Education Trust’s EdTech and IT Team provides the secure, reliable, and effective technology that supports teaching, learning, and the Trust’s wider operations.

The team works with schools and central colleagues to develop digital strategy, maintain core systems and infrastructure, provide responsive technical support, and help staff and students use technology and artificial intelligence safely and purposefully.

Ash Mudaliar

DIRECTOR OF IT

Tom Brown

HEAD OF IT OPERATIONS

Following more than 11 years across both technical and managerial roles in IT, Tom joined Creative Education Trust in 2020 as one of the team’s Regional IT Managers before stepping into the role of IT Operations Manager and later being appointed into his current role as Head of IT Operations.

As Head of IT Operations, Tom oversees IT service delivery for Creative Education Trust, including leading the Regional IT Management team, and directing and supporting the implementation of IT standards across the Trust. Tom’s work ensures these standards align with the digital strategies of both Creative Education Trust and the Department for Education, driving innovation and operational excellence throughout the organisation.

Adam Johnson

HEAD OF IT TECHNICAL SERVICES

Adam was appointed Head of IT Technical Services in 2024. He is responsible for managing the trust’s core IT system infrastructure with his team, ensuring technology and services are both reliable and secure. Alongside this, he supports the Director of IT, Head of IT Operations and Educational Technology Lead in developing and delivering the departments strategic goals to ensure the trust’s IT provision continues support our schools and core functions across the organisation.

Adam is an experienced IT Technician having worked in various IT technical and management roles for over a decade. This work has given Adam valuable insight into the daily challenges faced by staff and students which continues to inform his work today.

Katie Glenister-Soós

HEAD OF EDUCATIONAL TECHNOLOGY

Over the course of more than a decade in education, Katie has taught across all primary key stages, held whole-school leadership roles and contributed to curriculum development and school improvement initiatives in Norfolk and Cambridgeshire. Her experience in teaching, mentoring and school leadership underpins her approach to educational technology, ensuring that innovation is always practical, purposeful and rooted in supporting teachers and improving student outcomes.

As Head of Educational Technology for the Trust, Katie draws on her extensive teaching and leadership background to drive the development and implementation of digital and AI strategies across all schools, ensuring they genuinely serve the needs of teachers, students and school communities. She works with school leaders, IT teams and external partners to embed technology that enhances both teaching and learning, as well as operational effectiveness. Katie’s blend of classroom insight and strategic oversight enables her to champion practical, sustainable digital solutions that empower educators and enrich learning for students across all key stages.

the Finance TEAM

Creative Education Trust’s Finance Team works with school and Trust leaders to ensure that resources are planned, managed, and deployed effectively in support of educational priorities.

Through financial planning, reporting, business partnering, and robust financial controls, the team supports informed decision-making, regulatory compliance, sustainability, and value for money across the Trust.

Catherine Hughes

DIRECTOR OF FINANCE

Jenna Tromans

FINANCIAL CONTROLLER

Jenna graduated from University of Liverpool in 2006 with BA (Hons) Business Studies and qualified as an accountant in 2012. Jenna joined Creative Education Trust in 2025 as Financial Controller, with extensive finance experience working in different sectors.

Jenna is responsible for ensuring the Trust has strong internal financial controls and processes enabling the Trust to achieve its strategic aims and objectives.

Michelle Hopkinson

HEAD OF FINANCE BUSINESS PARTNERING

Michelle is an ACCA qualified accountant with extensive finance business partnering experience across a variety of sectors. In 2020, Michelle joined the Trust as Regional Head of Finance and was subsequently promoted to Head of Finance Business Partnering.

Michelle is responsible for leading on the development of our financial planning, management and analysis to support the continued evolution of the financial service for our schools and head office.