Central Services Team
David Garrido
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
Throughout my career, I have been involved in transforming schools and the life chances of young people, many of whom have faced challenging situations. My first degree was in Music and Liturgy, and I was organ scholar at St Mary-Le-Tower in Ipswich. I then went on to Reading University for my PGCE. The rest as they say, is history. My teaching career has covered nine schools, two where I was deputy headteacher and two as headteacher. So, I have extensive leadership experience and a proven track record of raising standards, in a diverse range of schools.
I am convinced that the way forward for schools is in partnership and I am privileged to have the opportunity to play a pivotal role in shaping the future of Catholic Education across the Archdiocese. Building upon the diocesan strategy and the Trust's vision.
In developing the Trust, I am very conscious of protecting the identity of each school that joins our family. Together with the Headteachers of our schools, I want to create a legacy for the future and a unique identity for the Trust, which centres on our faith, its traditions, academic excellence and developing a curriculum relevant to the needs of students enabling them to be highly successful, confident individuals.
Paul Drake
CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER
After many years in the IT industry I moved across to the education sector and have been fortunate to have worked in a number of high performing schools across all key stages and sectors. I was involved with the Building Schools for the Future programme and helped establish one of the first converter academies. More recently I have been part of a large multi academy trust based in the South East.
I hold the Certificate in Strategic Educational Leadership as well as being an accredited ISBL Lead Level Practitioner.
I have been involved in school governance for over 15 years across several schools as well as serving as Vice Chair of a Local Authority Schools Forum. I am currently Vice Chair of Governors at a Greenwich Secondary School.
My passion is to ensure that all the schools in our Trust are equipped with the necessary resources to provide an outstanding learning experience for all the children and young people that pass through our doors.
Angela Bulkeley
CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER
I qualified as an accountant in the 90s and have 30 years of financial management experience. The first 15 years of my career I worked in financial services and was a Global Financial Controller for a FTSE 100 company in the City. After a career break to have children, I returned to work in education which I have found very interesting and rewarding. I am now in my 15th year working across primary and secondary schools. In addition to whole school financial management, I have also directly managed a range of school services providing me with good operational insight for optimal financial management.
To support my career in education, in 2022 I completed a Masters in Education focusing on School leadership and management.
Lisa Farrow
DIRECTOR OF PRIMARY EDUCATION
I have worked in education for twenty-seven years, after graduating from Warwick University with a History specialism. I have spent the vast majority of my career in London, as well as spending two years teaching in Europe. This has given me a broad range of experiences and perspectives. I was a Headteacher for six years in West London and am also a serving Ofsted inspector.
I am committed to partnership working between schools, establishing a federation whilst Headteacher in my last position. I am excited to be a part of the Trust's journey and having the opportunity to work with a wider group of schools, all with their own unique characters and identities.
Kemi Adebayo
FINANCE MANAGER
I am a seasoned finance manager with a strong background in higher education for 11 years and secondary education since 2021.
I have a MSc in Financial Management and boast over 20 years of diverse finance experience in charity, further and higher education, and secondary school education.
I am proficient in financial management, bringing a wealth of expertise.
I’m known for my keenness to learn, explore new ideas, and bring a wealth of expertise to the table
Elaine Egan
ASST FINANCE OPERATIONS LEAD
I have over 40 years’ experience in Finance, the last 20 being in Education. During that time, I have held a variety of roles both at school level and now with the Trust.
I am committed to supporting our schools in the Trust, assisting with the groundwork to enable children to receive an outstanding education.
Iulian Rosca
FINANCE MANAGER
After earning my degree in Business Studies in 2020, I pursued a fulfilling career in the education sector, where I qualified as a chartered accountant. Over the years, I have developed expertise in financial management, reporting, and process optimisation.
At the core of my work is a commitment to ensuring every school within our Trust has the financial resources needed to support student success. I take great pride in knowing that my contributions help create and environment where students can thrive academically and professionally.
Beyond my professional role, I am passionate about health, fitness, and travelling. I also enjoy reading on topics about finance, economics, science and technology, continuously expanding my knowledge and staying informed about global trends.
Sonia Rutherford
ASST FINANCE OPERATIONS LEAD
I am passionate about Catholic education and thrilled to be a part of the Trust, where I bring my expertise in finance to support the MAT's mission and advance our shared goals.
Having grown up in Trinidad and relocated to London in 2007, I spent over a decade in the finance industry. However, my dedication to education led me to merge my financial acumen with my interest in the educational sector.
Over the past five years, I've honed my skills in school finance, equipping me to make a meaningful impact within the Trust. My involvement in my parish, St. John the Baptist, has been equally fulfilling. I've served as a catechist, been involved as a volunteer at children's liturgy as well as in the parish youth group.
Colin Maher
ESTATE OPERATIONS LEAD
I have over 10 year’s experience in Site Management in Primary and Secondary Schools,
My role is to maintain and oversee Estates compliance across the Trust and to support schools and premises teams on all aspects of Estates management.
Chantelle Miller
HR OPERATIONS LEAD
I have over 20 years experience in Human Resources, across a number of sectors, including Schools, Further and Higher Education, media, charity and NHS. I am a strong HR generalist, with experience of all areas of HR, including, change management, employee relations, resourcing, pay and reward and learning and development. I have strong experience in employee relations, which includes advising managers on staffing matters, policy guidance and working with Trade Unions.
I have a Masters in Human Resources Management and qualifications in Workplace Mediation, Mental Health First Aid and an Advanced Certificate in Employment Law. I am passionate about how the human resources function can help Schools to achieve their goals in pupil education and I work closely with line managers to help them with their people related matters.
Sarah Yusuf Watson
EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT
I’ve worked as an Executive Assistant for over 15 years, in many different sectors including Private Equity, Event Conferencing and The Houses of Parliament. Organising is my passion and I love watching events come together from start to finish.
I work closely with the Trust's Executive Team on various projects, events and office management. I am the first point of contact for our school partners on a daily basis.