TRUSTEE BIOPICS
HELEN DICKER (CHAIR)
Helen is Chair of Endeavour Learning Trust. She has a degree in Engineering Science from Durham University and is a Chartered Civil Engineer. She worked as a geotechnical engineer and project manager on various contracts before focusing full time on her four children and voluntary work.
Helen was Chair of Governors at Tarleton Community Primary school for 16 years and became a Governor at Tarleton High School as well in 2010, leading the governing body through the legal and other processes for conversion to Academy and Trust status since then. She has also been a Parish Councillor in Tarleton and at various times Secretary, Treasurer and Safeguarding officer for Tarleton Corinthians Football Club. In all these roles she has successfully led bids for Lottery and other funding leading to £millions of additional investment in community and school facilities. In all her activities, Helen brings a particular focus to leadership and people management issues, including taking responsibility for performance management of Headteachers, recognising these as critical success factor for all the organisations she has worked with. She was awarded an MBE in the 2017 New Year’s Honours for services to education.
JENNI SMITTON
For over 20 years, Jenni has worked in organisations responsible for public funding of education and training. Since 2012, she has worked for the Department for Education with responsibility for financial management, governance and compliance in open academies. She currently leads the team responsible for open academies in Greater Manchester and West Yorkshire.
Jenni is Chair of the Trust Resources Committee bringing her extensive skills in financial management and compliance with charity and company law to the Trust.
DAVID LATHAM
David was the UK Managing Director for a Canadian based company that provide software solutions for a range of businesses. He has broad experience as a Technical Director and also worked in consultancy developing business. His period in consultancy allowed him to work on various projects including some in the Middle East. He has broad experience of business growth and development as well as an understanding of finance and HR systems, commercial sales and marketing.
COLIN FENNY
Colin is a Solicitor and Director at Harrison Drury Solicitors and Head of the Property and Construction Litigation Department with responsibility for managing a team of 7 lawyers across six sites in Lancashire and Cumbria. He has been a Governor at Churchtown Primary School since March 2015. Having initially been elected as a Parent Governor for a four year term, I was co-opted onto the Local Academy Council in June 2019. I have held the position of Vice-Chair of Governors since September 2017. During my term as Governor at Churchtown Primary School I have overseen a successful Ofsted inspection and the conversion of the School to Academy status joining the Endeavour Learning Trust. I joined the Trustee Board for Endeavour Learning Trust in April 2019 following completion of the conversion.
Colin is married with 2 children. They are both now at secondary school in Southport. Born in Newcastle, he is an avid Newcastle United fanbut say that he doesn’t get to watch them now as much as he would like!
GAYNOR BAHAN
Prior to joining the teaching profession, Gaynor worked in engineering, witnessing first-hand how mathematics is the cornerstone of the industry. This sparked her passion for all things STEM! Gaynor describes her role teaching mathematics to children in a variety of secondary schools in St. Helens and Wirral (comprehensive 11-16, all boys 11-18, all girls 11-18) for 15 years as her ‘absolute honour and privilege’. As an Assistant Headteacher and Lead Practitioner, she was able to contribute to developments in whole-school teaching and learning, data and timetabling and was a coach for both new and experienced teachers.
She lectured in Mathematical Statistics to undergraduates at Edge Hill University and more recently, on their PGCE Mathematics programme as Associate Tutor.
Gaynor joined NCETM in June 2018 as Regional Lead for Lancashire and West Yorkshire. There are two key aspects to her role:
- to act as the principal NCETM link to the Maths Hub leadership and management teams in the region, supporting, equipping and enabling them to fulfil their role
- to work with key regional stakeholders, and representatives of national government programmes supporting mathematics and STEM more widely, to develop and support the implementation of a coherent strategy for mathematics school improvement in the region
Gaynor strives to contribute to closing the achievement gap between disadvantaged children and their peers. Her family play an important part in her life – with two young girls she is fiercely passionate that gender should not influence choice!
NICK WARD
Nick has been a primary school Headteacher for over 12 years, leading two outstanding schools. He has been a Governor for over 20 years, in 5 different schools, covering both primary and secondary education. Nick has worked for the Local Authority in many roles, including leading professional development and school moderation. He has also mentored many Headteachers who were new to the role. Nick is an Associate Adviser for Blackburn Diocese, responsible for a number of schools in diverse settings, providing pastoral support and challenge, whilst ensuring the SLA is delivered. He also represents the Diocese at Headteacher and Deputy Headteacher appointments.
KATHRYN BATES
Kathie is a senior professional with a wealth of cross government experience and a proven record of inspirational leadership, developing creative solutions for building capability and making a positive difference to the lives of vulnerable citizens. With a passion for learning, development and young people Kathie began her career as a high school teacher, working with those most in need and helping them to fulfil their potential before embarking on a wide and varied career in the Civil Service.
Kathie has held a number of key posts including Director of Business Change, operational leadership and people development. In addition to Change Management, Kathie has spent many years bringing together people from a range of public sector organisations to participate in innovative programmes, focussed on building personal and professional leadership capability, improving life skills and delivering services to vulnerable citizens in a unique way.
With a unique ability to lead multi disciplined projects and programmes and navigate complex challenges with sensitivity and integrity, Kathie is a self-motivated leader with great enthusiasm and a genuine passion for people. Kathie’s inspirational leadership was recognised through her teams winning three prestigious Civil Service Awards, a unique achievement and testament of her ability to foster collaborative relationships, balance creativity, pragmatism & fun to push through traditional and perceived boundaries. Her approach centres around Jesse Jackson's famous quote “If the mind can conceive it, the heart believes it, then we can achieve it!” combined with a healthy dose of let's give it a go!
After spending the last 25 years raising her own children in 2018, keen to use her skills and experience to give something back to the local community, Kathie became a Local Authority Governor at a local RI primary school where her passion is creating an environment where both students and staff have the opportunity to grow, learn and be the best version of themselves.
Kathie lives in Leyland with her husband & son, 2 black labradors with a married (teacher) daughter only 4 doors away and enjoys spending time with family and friends.
ANDY HAMMERTON
With over 20 years’ experience as a communications and corporate affairs leader, Andy has helped some of the UK’s largest businesses to protect and enhance their reputations. Initially starting his career in PR, his expertise broadened to wider stakeholder engagement during one of the most high-profile and sustained corporate crisis events in the past decade.
He’s delivered critical stakeholder communications for global transformation programmes for several blue-chip firms and currently has responsibility for brand development, investor relations, media / social media, environment, internal communications and community engagement for Liverpool based Appreciate Group.
CAROL GAYNOR
Carol has a post-Graduate Diploma in Personnel and Development in addition to a range of management qualifications. She worked for over 25 years as a Business, HR and Facilities manager in three schools, 2 maintained and 1 academy. She would like to be able to utilise her broad range of skills to support the educational aims and vision of the Trust.
After taking the decision to take early retirement, Carol has since used her spare time within the voluntary sector. Carol became Chair of Finance at a local Pupil Referral Unit and has also been Chair of Governors at Wellfield High School, now Wellfield Academy. Carol was recently a member of interim Executive Board of Ormskirk School and she joined the Trust Board at Endeavour in summer 2022.
Carol is married with one daughter, one granddaughter and one cockapoo!
Endeavour Learning Trust Board
