Karen is a founding Member of the Trust and took up post of Chair of the Board of Trustees from January 2020. She is an independent education technology consultant following her retirement from Birmingham City Council after 32 years of service working with schools and the Local Authority. As well as supporting technology and information systems in Birmingham Karen was involved for many years with data standards nationally as a member of the DfE’s data collection STAR Chamber and Information Standards and Strategy Board.  She is a very proud mother of two daughters, Samantha and Charlotte, both of whom are ex-students of Ninestiles School and Solihull Sixth Form College

Richard is Vice Chair of the Board of Trustees and Chair of Cockshut Hill Local Governing Body. Richard took up post of Vice Chair of Board of Trustees in January 2020. Richard is an education and skills consultant, most recently advising the British Council and the Korean Institute for Curriculum and Evaluation (KICE). Previously he retired following eight years as Chief Executive of Sector Skills Council Asset Skills. A former schoolteacher, Richard spent over 14 years in two spells with The Newspaper Society. There he was responsible for establishing Newspapers in Education and occupational standards for journalists, and for new media opportunities research. He was a board member of the National Council for the Training of Journalists and Chief Executive of the Print Education Forum.

Neal Clements is a director of Project smart Ltd where he specialises in IT projects and training. Neal has over 40 years experience of both business and academia especially in HE and FE including lecturing and governing. His other great passion is aviation, Neal is a flying instructor. Neal chairs the Finance & Resources Committee for the Trust. 

Fiona graduated from Lancaster University in 1992 with a BA (Hons) in Urban Policy and Race Relations. Soon after this she began working within the field of education as a Home School Link Worker at Preston College in the North West of England. On returning to Birmingham in 1997 Fiona worked at Lordswood Boys' School before moving on to the Behaviour Support Service. In 2008, Fiona was the Unit Manager for the 2020 Programme a Key Stage Four alternative provision co-sited with Lindsworth School in Kings Norton. With the closure of the provision in 2011 Fiona moved on to Bournville College where she currently works as a key member of the Pastoral Care team at Bournville College Academy. She is a former parent governor at Lakey Lane Primary School and currently sits on the Board of Trustees and the Local Governing Body of Cockshut Hill School. 

Between 2011 and 2019 Marilyn was Her Majesty’s Inspector (Schools).  Prior to this she worked as a senior school improvement adviser in a large urban local authority.  She has a master’s degree in English, post-graduate qualifications in education and is currently studying for her doctorate in the philosophy of education.  She has been a senior lecturer in education and Head of Primary English in Initial Teacher Education at Birmingham City University.  Marilyn has played a leading part in national research and development work in primary English. Marilyn sits on the Board of Trustees and also chairs Yarnfield Primary School Local Governing Body. 

After an early career in scientific research, including research at MIT in the USA, Louise qualified as an accountant with KPMG.  She has more than 20 years of experience in Finance and has held leadership positions in large, complex, multisite businesses.  Louise has extensive experience of leading major change projects and has recently retired from her full time executive career.

Louise has a lifelong passion for learning and as well as being a qualified accountant, she has a PhD in Chemistry and an MBA.   Her other interests include travel, photography, drawing, cooking and long walks with her family and dog.

Tejal is a Senior University Lecturer in Leadership and Management. Prior to his academic career, Tejal has over 20 years' experience in Senior HR and Management consultancy roles gained in global organisations including EY, Eon and Capgemini. Tejal is a Chartered FCIPD, FCMI and SFHEA.

Glen has over 25 years commercial experience in the Business and Industrial sectors with expertise in strategic planning, new product development and developing digital marketing programmes. 

He has worked for a number of large multinational corporations including GEC, Honeywell and IMI. He has lived and worked in Ireland, Switzerland and Australia. 

He is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Marketing is a guest lecturer at Birmingham University Business School and has mentored MBA students at the Business School.

Glen is a big sports fan and enjoys cycling, golf and riding motorbikes throughout the Midlands.

Emma Pritchard is CEO of The Black Pear Trust,  based in Worcestershire. Emma has worked in education for 15 years, over this time she has worked in a diverse range of educational establishments. Furthermore she has worked alongside the Local Authority in a school improvement capacity, offering school-to-school support for schools in challenging circumstances. Emma has also worked alongside Universities to develop ITT programmes and have offered training to other professional bodies.