Central Team - ��

�� (BPET) schools are supported by a core team which helps the schools deliver our vision. The central team:

Reinforces the �� vision and purpose of the family of schools
Supports the creation of networks to encourage the sharing of knowledge, good practice and resources, as well as career development opportunities
Holds schools accountable and helps them improve their performance through regular monitoring visits and data analysis
Provides �� and operational support services to the schools.

The central team responds to the ��.

Staff Declaration of Interests

All senior BPET staff have completed a Declaration of Interest Form for 2023/24, in order to ensure openness and transparency within the organisation.

Chief Executive – Mark Greatrex

I became chief executive of the �� in May 2015. I head the executive leadership team and school leaders, working closely with our board of trustees in fulfilling the BPET vision. I’m responsible for an annual income of £19 million.

I lead and collaborate with our over 525 staff and together we have the honour of educating more than 3,350 pupils, ensuring that, as an organisation, our education offer is of the highest standard through delivering a broad and rich curriculum offer across the school day and beyond.

I also am a DfE system leader, delivering support through the DfE’s Trust and School Improvement Offer, and supported the DfE in managing the closure of a small multi-academy trust in London. I work with and mentor other trusts’ CEOs, as we all develop our respective offer to the school communities we serve.

I began my career as a civil servant in the Department of Education, in the Academies Division with just five academies open nationally. This grew to 203 open academies when I left to join a multi-academy trust. I have been a senior leader in three MATs of varying size and BPET is the first I have led. Achievements have included converting and setting plans to transform many failing schools seeing, as a consequence, significant improvement in student achievement. I have opened over 10 new Free Schools, the first being the first Free School in 2011. I’m proud that �� are currently performing 10% above the national average and all are judged Good or Outstanding by Ofsted.

I hold a number of non-executive roles: I am a governor in a maintained primary school, Millfields Community School (Hackney, London); I am also a trustee of Greenhouse Sports, an inspiring charity which aims to give all children from deprived communities access to sport and develop their skills and confidence. Finally, I am very proud of my research work to support Lord Adonis in writing his excellent book about academies ‘Education, Education, Education’.

Director of Education – Laura Gregory (on sabbatical for the 2023-2024 academic year)

Laura Gregory joined BPET as the Director of Education on 1 September 2019. Laura’s role is to support the �� standards in all �� along with overseeing the annual School Improvement Review Cycle, offering and designing CPD programmes for staff and facilitating strong collaboration across our schools.

Prior to this, Laura was principal of a large outstanding primary academy in Hertfordshire – one of the first designated Teaching Schools in England, within a trust. While in this role, Laura became an additional Ofsted Inspector for primary and early years and gained the Professional Qualification for School Inspectors (PQSI), before leaving to be a School Improvement Adviser for Buckinghamshire Local Authority (LA). Here she supported over 25 schools from two very different contextual locations. She then moved on to be the Primary School Improvement Lead for a trust of seven schools, with both primary and secondary schools. All of the schools apart from one were in special measures, so a fair amount of her work was targeted on rapid change and improvement.

Laura is also a Fellow of the Chartered College for Teachers, a leadership coach for Ambition Institute and a MAT reviewer for Challenge Partners.

Interim Director of Education – Alison Colenso

I joined �� as Interim Director of Education in June 2023 whilst Laura Gregory takes a year’s sabbatical. I provide support to all �� through the annual School Improvement Review Cycle, offer and design continuous professional development for all staff and facilitate strong collaboration across the trust.

I began my career in education in 2002 when I re-trained as a primary classroom teacher having previously worked as a management accountant. I have taught classes of children across the primary range, as well as taking on several leadership roles, including those of deputy headteacher and headteacher. In fact, I was the founding headteacher at Deer Park School in Richmond Upon Thames – one of BPET’s free schools that opened in 2015. I successfully led Deer Park School through rapid growth, managing change and with a relentless pursuit of excellence which was recognised in the school’s outstanding Ofsted judgement in 2018.

Prior to taking on my current role in the trust, I served as one of Her and then His Majesty’s Inspectors at Ofsted for three and half years. I led inspections of maintaining schools and academies, non-association independent schools, initial teacher education and inspections of lead providers of the early career framework.

I currently sit on the governing body of Hampton High – a co-�� Secondary School, with a Sixth Form, in Hampton in the London Borough of Richmond upon Thames.

Richard Crompton – Director of Operations

I joined BPET in September 2021 as Director of Operations and I am the executive team lead for the corporate service functions that support our schools. I have oversight of estates, facilities, IT, data, HR, legal and compliance, health & safety and contract management. I ensure that our operating model is fit for purpose and that our support staff have access to the best resources to fulfil their roles.

I support our school leaders with building developments, the implementation of BPET’s IT strategy, HR and recruitment matters and the development of our pan-trust contracts incorporating maintenance, catering and compliance support. I am accountable for the continued development of back-office efficiencies as BPET continues to grow and develop.

I began my career in retail; working firstly for Marks & Spencer in the North West and latterly, the John Lewis Partnership. I started my time at John Lewis as the Customer Service Manager in Liverpool, followed by several promotions around the country, culminating in being the Deputy Branch Manager at John Lewis Brent Cross. Following my shop-based roles, I took up a post in head office where I was responsible for delivering back-of-house simplification projects to ensure that shops ran as effectively and efficiently. In May 2019, I joined the David Ross Education Trust (DRET) as Head of Estates, Facilities and Operations, a large multi-academy trust of 34 schools where I worked alongside the education directors to best centralise the support functions of the trust.

I continue to work with DRET as a vice-chair of governors alongside my support to Whitehall Park School – a �� – as a governor. Outside of work, I live in Hertfordshire with my partner, two young children and energetic dog.

Marwa Sadek – Director of Finance

I joined �� in January 2019 as Chief Financial Officer (CFO), and I’ve had the opportunity to grow within the sector as the trust itself has grown both in size and sophistication. I have been integral to completing the due diligence and onboarding of schools through transfers of engagements from their respective governing bodies.

My responsibilities encompass a wide range of financial aspects within the trust. This includes overseeing budgeting, management accounting, control procedures, payment processing, procurement, payroll, pension management, tax matters, policy updates, and statutory returns to the Education and Skills Funding Agency (ESFA). Additionally, I lead the internal audit, accounts preparation, and external audit efforts. In my role, I provide strategic leadership and foster the development of the trust’s financial functions. I offer strategic financial guidance and information to the chief executive officer, headteachers and trustees.

I have coordinated the consistent delivery of high-quality management information to various individuals and entities at the executive level. This includes advising governing bodies, senior management, and budget holders on operational priorities aligned with the standards set by the Department for Education (DFE), ESFA, and relevant accounting SORPs.

With 18 years of finance and accounting expertise, my professional background involves financial modelling, project accounting, resource allocation, internal audit, fiduciary control systems, and personnel management.

Beyond my professional pursuits, I’ve been actively engaged in community volunteering since 2010. I’ve collaborated with local schools, a scout group, and numerous local charities. My volunteer work has also extended to organizing charity events for Cancer Research. While these activities may not fully utilize my professional skillset, they reflect my commitment to making a positive impact on my local community. I also had the honour of volunteering for the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games as protocol leader, an experience through which I formed lasting friendships with fellow volunteers who share my dedication to community service.

Aseel Ahmed – Financial Accountant

Beginning as an apprentice at BPET in 2016, Aseel quickly demonstrated a natural talent for finance, progressing to the roles of Finance Assistant and later Finance Officer.

In pursuit of broadening his horizons and gaining invaluable expertise, Aseel made a bold move to a larger trust, where he excelled as a Senior Finance Officer. Driven by a deep connection to BPET and a desire to contribute further, Aseel returned to BPET in 2023 armed with enhanced experience and expertise, bringing a fresh perspective and innovative approaches to financial management and implementations.

Keen on professional development, Aseel is set to embark on an exciting journey to pursue studies with the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) in September 2023, with a plan to complete the program by 2025.

Beyond his dedication to finance, Aseel has a vibrant and diverse set of hobbies that fuel his personal growth. He is an avid football enthusiast, finding joy in both playing and spectating the sport. Additionally, he relishes the world of literature, constantly enriching his knowledge through reading various genres. Travel is another passion, as Aseel believes in the transformative power of exploring new cultures and experiences.

Aseel’s combination of financial expertise, dedication to education, and diverse interests makes him a well-rounded individual who thrives in both professional and personal endeavours. His enthusiasm for lifelong learning and his adventurous spirit reflect his commitment to success and making a positive impact wherever he goes.

Head of Marketing & Communications – Flavia Cerrone

I joined the central team in June 2022 and work with all schools in order to make sure they communicate with parents, carers and the wider community in the most effective way. I set the marketing and communications strategy and help schools share the fantastic work they do; I run surveys in order to identify areas of improvement, support social media efforts, and I’m currently involved in managing the redevelopment of all schools’ websites and even the occasional building improvement!

I started my career as a translator and a web writer for a marketing agency; I used to spend time with clients to get to know them well in order to shine a light on what they did best, and the passion they did it with. Following that, I worked at the Royal Academy of Dance for nearly a decade, making my way up to the position of Press & Communications Manager. At the RAD I used to manage projects such as website and database developments, I lead the press & PR strategy, and built the RAD’s social media presence from scratch, an effort for which my team and I won an award.

I then trained as a yoga teacher and became the Teacher Training Manager at one of the most prestigious yoga centres in the world. I managed and was responsible for all teacher training courses and CPDs from timetable to content, and worked closely with the marketing team to fill up places for a value of £300K per year.

Claire Kevin – Executive Assistant

I joined BPET in 2019 as Executive Assistant to the Director of Education and Chief Executive and am responsible for overseeing the administrational structure of the School Improvement Review Cycle across all ��, the CPD offering for all staff, and the pupil competitions – such as debate, chess and poetry. I also work alongside the Director of Education in organising the annual BPET Conference.

I am responsible for ensuring the arrangements of core business functions are efficient and well organised such as Headteacher Performance Management processes, recruitment, as well as the annual whole-trust celebration event.

I have 25 years of Executive Assistant and office administration experience, and prior to joining BPET was Executive Assistant to the CEO and Education Director at Bellevue Education.

Operations Manager – Jane Aust

I joined BPET as Operations Manager in January 2022 and work closely with Richard Crompton on asset management, contract management, compliance, ICT, Health & Safety. I mainly support Headteachers, Office Managers and Site Managers across the trust.

Prior to joining the central team, I was the Office Manager for a �� and have worked in education since 2003, in both class and office based roles across the primary age range 3-11. I strongly believe that happy children learn better, and use this belief to ensure the BPET vision of ‘Learn, Enjoy, Succeed’ is embedded in all schools.

Prior to working in education, I was a public house manager and a bookmaker; I am a qualified ECB scorer and have spent many weekends following the local cricket team. I have two children and I support Reading Football Club where I am a season ticket holder.

Zhenzhen Chen – Management Accountant

I joined BPET in January 2022, initially in a temporary capacity, and was promoted to Management Accountant in March 2023 on a permanent basis. I oversee vital processes including managing the trust’s payroll and closely monitoring the budget.

Although new to the education sector upon joining, I brought over six years of valuable accounting experience from the corporate world. My experience covers a range of roles across five companies and industries both in the UK and China. These include international logistics, cross border e-commerce, FMCG, manufacturing, and customs clearance areas. My professional experience covers management accounts, VAT assurance and audit preparation, with a demonstrated track record of leading the improvement of working processes, internal control and ERP systems.

I have studied and achieved a BA in international finance as well as a MBA in financial management. Currently, I’m working towards achieving ACCA status and I am at the final stage of my qualification.

Farzia Hussaini – Finance Assistant (Apprentice)

I joined the trust and support the Finance team as an apprentice after completing my BSc degree in Financial Mathematics. I am mainly responsible for the accounts payables and dealing with our supplier’s queries, whilst working with schools’ office managers on a daily basis to assist them in their finance aspect of their role. Since I have joined, my role has expanded and now I work closely with the management accountant to prepare our month end accounting reports, carry out accounts reconciliation and submit our returns to HMRC.

As part of my professional development, I have successfully completed the Applied Knowledge level of well-respected ACCA qualification and continue to study to become fully qualified and be able to use my technical skills to help our organisation in developing its vision.

��ǲ�é Otero – Finance Assistant (Apprentice)

In September 2020, I joined the trust as a Business Admin Executive Apprentice. After successfully completing my initial apprenticeship, I transitioned to the finance team, pursuing a finance apprenticeship to achieve AAT Level 3 certification.
My responsibilities are formed by essential duties: I am responsible for bank reconciliations on a monthly basis, handle procurement card processes for the entire trust, input and manage invoices within the financial system, and communicate with schools and stakeholders.

This role is not only professional growth but also continuous learning. Pursuing my AAT Level 3 qualification proves my commitment to mastering finance. Through skill development and experience I have and will gain in my time here at BPET, I aspire to contribute effectively to trust’s finance team and our goals.

Eamon Roach – Clerk to the BPET Board

BPET works with additional advisers who support the central team in their tasks:

Jerry Goddard – Education Adviser

Jerry is an experienced education adviser. Leading and developing high quality learning and teaching is his passion. He is currently the Managing Director of JRPG Educational Consultants Ltd. He gained an honours degree at Southampton University and followed this with an MA. As a teacher he wrote several books before becoming a science adviser, an Ofsted Inspector, CPD Adviser and the Attached Inspector for over a dozen primary and secondary schools. He is very experienced in observing and judging teaching having led an LA’s AST Team as well as being part of the National Assessment Agency.

His current work includes supporting schools and their SLTs in their strategic development. He worked with the University of Chichester, developing its role as an Academy Sponsor resulting in the formation of the University of Chichester Academy Trust. He recently retired from the role of its Director of Standards and Effectiveness and has become one of its Board members. He is a member of the Education Committee of Bellevue International Education Group.

Stephanie Hilder – Specialist English Adviser

Stephanie Hilder is an experienced education consultant specialising in English.

With a strong interest in the development and assessment of writing, Stephanie has collaborated extensively with the Standards and Testing Agency (STA) in the production and training of national materials, and moderated writing at KS1 and KS2 for three local authorities, as well as for the STA.

Additionally, Stephanie is a lecturer in Reading for Pleasure (RfP) at The Open University, where she works on the whole school RfP programme. She thrives on working collaboratively with schools, teachers and leaders, actively engaging with them to develop their priorities for English.

Furthermore, she serves on the editorial board of ‘English 4-11’ magazine, demonstrating her commitment to sharing knowledge and expertise with a wider audience.

Nathan Crook – Specialist Maths Adviser, Berkshire

Prior to becoming a maths consultant, Nathan taught children in Years 1-6 across three Oxfordshire primary schools, including those in both urban and rural settings. During this time, he qualified as a Maths Specialist Teacher (MaST). This consequently led to him becoming part of the National College for Teaching and Leadership’s ‘small schools making an impact’ programme.

Driven by his passion for helping to ensure that all children access mathematics learning to the full, Nathan has more recently worked both in-person and remotely as an NCETM accredited independent maths consultant to support schools across the country in delivering high quality teaching and learning.
As well as providing training, he has continued to work alongside classes and groups of children, as well as their teachers and support staff, to explore how they learn best.

He also believes in the power of mentoring and coaching, around which he has refined his skills whilst completing the National Professional Qualification for Headship (NPQH) programme.

Nathan is an active member of the National Association of Mathematics Advisers (NAMA), which develops his understanding about the national mathematics landscape. He has previously sat on the Executive of the Mathematics Association until summer 2022.

David Colenso – Specialist Maths Adviser, London

David has been Head of School at a large primary on the Richmond and Hounslow border for over 20 years, teaching all year groups and settings. He has consistently driven up standards to enable all pupils to achieve well – especially in maths – despite the demographic presenting well above average percentage of FSM, EHC plans, EAL and mobility.

Throughout his career, David has also supported school improvement in Richmond and Kingston, and his particular expertise is the development of strong and effective maths curriculums.

He is passionate about developing a strong assessment for learning culture, developing teacher subject knowledge and working with school leaders to provide a highly effective curriculum, as well as effective use of additional adults in the classroom.

Amanda Letch – Education consultant

Amanda started her career in 1985 with Mark & Spencer, undertaking their graduate training scheme after university, where she attained a BA Jt Hons in Economics and Economic History.

After several years in the retail world, Amanda took a break to have a family and returned to work in the City as VP Logistics for BIA Investor Relations.

Her corporate background proved invaluable for Amanda when, having been Chair of Governors at her children’s primary school, she decided to re-train as a teacher. Amanda qualified in 2008 and has had a meteoric rise to Headship which she achieved in 2014, and has been Head of the Ofsted ‘outstanding’ Thomson House School in Richmond for the last 8 years. She is also a qualified SENCO, having attained the Postgraduate Diploma in Special Educational Needs in 2012.

Amanda also sits on the Richmond Music Trust and was Chair of the Richmond Primary Heads and Academy Representative on Schools Forum for many years. Most recently she has begun acting as an Educational Consultant for BPET and has joined Best Practice Network as mentor and coach to senior leaders in the world of education.

Outside of education Amanda has her own family of four children, a house in France and a cycling-obsessed husband to look after. She enjoys all types of music, live performance and loves nothing more than a good conversation based on gastronomic food and wine.

Ian Mullins – B.Ed(Hons), M.Sc – Education Adviser

Ian began his teaching career in Gillingham Kent as a mathematics and physical education teacher in a state secondary school. After a number of years he moved into the independent sector carrying responsibilities as head of department, housemaster, deputy head and headships in two schools. He is currently employed by the Licensed Trade Charity (LTC) as Executive Director for Education and Operations and has enjoyed this role for the past 15 years. During this time Ian has been the driving and innovative force behind the development of the existing LVS Ascot school (an independent school of 850 pupils aged 5-18 years) and the creation of two special needs schools in Oxford and Brighton covering the ages of 11-18.

More recently, Ian has secured an education consultancy/management position at the English College of Dubai bringing in substantial revenue for the charity between 2016-2018. He is currently expanding overseas operations in a number of countries, including China, in addition , to his oversight of education and operations at the UK schools.

Ian has served in various volunteer roles within the sector namely Chairman of ISC is and ISA London and South East, registered inspector, member of the ISA finance committee. He has spoken regularly on various topics to new heads and proprietors in membership of the Independent Schools association.

Ian was brought up in Wales and is a passionate Welsh Rugby fan. Having studied a Bed (Hons) and MSC in Educational Management, Ian has devoted his career to education and held many varied positions of responsibility in his move to headship. Ian also overseas marketing and Support & Care services for the Charity and in addition has the responsibility for estate management of all sites, the general management of the lettings operation and Health & Safety.

Outside of his work, Ian is a keen squash player, attends the gym on a regular basis and is an avid reader. He is a member and warden for the London livery company.

Christopher Sanderson – Safeguarding and Compliance Consultant

Christopher has provided consultancy and training to BPET since its inception. He runs his own company, Amadeus Consulting and Training, offering consultancy in many aspects of nursery, primary and secondary education to schools, groups and associations both in the UK and overseas. His experience and empathy make him a welcome advisor in many schools.

Chris worked as a school inspector for 20 years, leading inspections in Early Years, primary, secondary and international education in the UK and in British schools overseas. He has also worked as a School Improvement Partner and a GCSE examiner in French and maths. Chris runs training and speaks at conferences for a number of organisations. In addition, he is Director of Compliance and Policy with a leading group of UK schools and nurseries, a consultant for the Association of Muslim Schools, and a music examiner with Trinity College, London.

His four headships together spanned an age range from 2 to 19, including boarding, day and international schools, in both the independent and maintained sectors. Prior to headship, he held positions of Head of Modern Languages, Director of Music and Head of Cricket and Hockey.

Originally from Yorkshire, he still maintains a keen interest in the fortunes of Halifax Town and Yorkshire Cricket; he plays cricket at home in his Cambridgeshire village and for a club in Brittany. Outside school, his main interests are in music, sport and renovating an old farmhouse in Brittany. He is a former conductor of the National Children’s Choir and spent several years singing as a cathedral lay clerk.

Last updated: December 2023

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