Trustees at Inspires MAT

Trustees have three core functions of governance:-

Ensuring clarity of vision, ethos and strategic direction
Holding executive leaders to account for the educational performance of the Trust and its pupils, and the performance management of its staff
Overseeing the financial performance of the Trust and ensuring best value at all times

Bhavika is a Director in Consulting at PwC, with over 15 years of experience in leading complex and large-scale transformation programmes across various industries.

She is a mum of two boys who are at primary school and is passionate about education, and in particular the impact technology will have on children’s future careers. She firmly believes that all children should have access to the best education that will prepare them for the future regardless of what they do and brings this into her role as Trustee.

Matthew has worked in education for the best part of 25-years. He started out at the Department for Education as a policy adviser, before entering the classroom. Working across several settings, he held various leadership positions, before spending 10-years as a Headteacher, first at a Junior School is Essex and then a Primary School with Nursery, in Suffolk. After 5-years working for Unity Schools Partnership as a Director of Education, where in addition to overseeing the performance and strategic direction of several primary schools, he also had responsibility for leading the Trust’s approach to nurturing children and young people’s social emotional mental health, he is now a Trust Education Lead with Avanti Schools Trust.

Amanda is a PA and social media creator who runs her own business within the community. With 10+ years of HR and local government experience she supports business owners with organisation and time-saving solutions while staying actively involved in her local community.
As a mother of two schools aged children she is passionate about ensuring everyone in the community has access to the same level of education and opportunities
She has an interest in the changing model of education and that extra curricular opportunities are just as important as educational ones

Russ has worked in IT for the best part of 40 years. He started his career in the city working for such companies as the London Stock Exchange, Accenture and Brewin Dolphin. Initially he performed technical support roles. He then progressed to managing technical support teams, as well as carrying out customer liaison roles.
In 2013 he moved into the Higher Education sector, working for King's College London. Using his experience to help the college to become an efficient, customer focused environment. In 2018 Russ moved to Imperial College London, where he continues to work in a management role.
Russ enjoys serving the community, having previously been a youth Rugby coach for a local team for over a decade. He now is a Non-Uniform Volunteer for the Army Cadet Force.

I am an experienced retail store manager with over 12 years of leadership responsibility, bringing a strong track record in team development, financial management, and operational performance. My professional background has equipped me with a range of transferable skills, including strategic planning, data-informed decision-making, and budget oversight, alongside a consistent focus on delivering high standards and developing people.

Alongside my career, I have developed a keen interest in governance and the role it plays in driving effective leadership and positive outcomes. Through my governance experience, I have gained valuable insight into how strategic oversight can shape the direction and success of organisations, particularly within education.

I am passionate about ensuring that all children have access to a high-quality education and am motivated to contribute to this through a Trustee role. I am eager to bring an independent perspective, offer constructive challenge, and work collaboratively to support its continued growth and success.

Inspires MAT