Members and Board of Directors
Directors
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David BrownChair of the board of Directors 10 Dec 2019 - 09 Dec 2023
David Brown
David is a specialist Interim CEO supporting Trusts. He has supported Trusts to grow as well as acting on behalf of a DfE Intervention Board to deal with highly significant financial challenges. He was described by ESFA in 2019 as an 'experienced specialist in turning around failed trusts'.
David has worked as a national policy adviser, an Executive Director of Education and Children's Services, an Executive Headteacher several times, and the Chief Executive of an Academy Trust. Throughout his career he has been focused upon the improvement of challenging and high profile urban schools and larger structural change solutions in the sector and beyond.
Educated at his local state school in Birmingham UK, he has an Economics degree and MA from Cambridge University, an MBA in Education (International) and qualified in teaching at the renowned Institute of Education, London. David has been a Visiting Professor and Visiting Fellow at UK universities.
From his first Headship he has led and supported many schools, all of them in deprived areas or challenging circumstances. He has helped schools to achieve top 5% nationally/most improved schools on several occasions from 2001 to 2016 across many different assessment measures. He was one of the first phase of Executive Headteachers in the UK and has written about executive leadership across schools.
David was Chair of the West Midlands UK Directors of Children's Services and Education and as Director led the procurement of the largest public-private education contract in Europe in 2008. In the same year the local authority was in the top 10 local authorities for improvement at both GCSE and Primary results.
As a pioneer in the trending world of Executive Headship, he has worked with universities, central and local government, faith groups and charities whilst still leading challenging schools himself. David was national adviser on education for the Church of England and the Secretariat for the Church of England's 'Church School of the Future Report'.
David is a regular public speaker including at the Houses of Parliament and Tjanjin, China, and has written extensively on change and improvement. He has experience of schools in South Sudan, Brazil, India, China and USA in March 2017 was a member of the first FCO UK Trade Mission to Kyrgyzstan on behalf of Cambridge University Press Education Reform.
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Rob SmithVice-Chair of Directors 17 Oct 2021 - 16 Oct 2025
Rob Smith
I am a reader in Education at Birmingham City University. I have taught in Birmingham schools, colleges and higher education institutions for 25 years. I trained as a secondary English teacher and I was teaching at Holt Schools in Lozells when the National Curriculum was introduced.
In 2012, I co-founded the Centre for Research and Development in Lifelong Education at the University of Wolverhampton. I am a staunch believer in comprehensive education as a basis for every young person achieving excellence. I also believe in the necessity of pursuing a multicultural ethos. My body of work explores the impact of funding and marketisation on Further Education provision in England. I have researched and written extensively in collaboration with FE and HE practitioners.
Recent articles include: Rob Smith (2015) College Re-culturing, Marketisation and Knowledge: The Meaning of Incorporation, Journal of Educational Administration and History, Smith, R. and O'Leary, M. (2015) Partnership as Cultural Practice in the Face of Neoliberal Reform, Journal of Educational Administration and History.
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Surinder BurayDirector 17 Oct 2021 - 16 Oct 2025
Surinder Buray
I have been a Governor at the Trust for over 26 years, having held office as Member (current), Director (current), Chair of Directors for 3 years, Chair of Governors for 6 years, Vice-Chair of Governors for 3 years and Chair of Staffing and Fulfilment Sub-committee for 9 years.
Both my children were schooled at the Trust, went on to gain Honours Degrees, post graduate studies and successful careers. As an educationalist, I understand that a child's life ambitions can be realised through education. However, it is equally important that standards are maintained and raised in both teaching and learning through challenge, target setting, monitoring outcomes, strategic management including working with and challenging the senior leadership team. In my working life I am a Magistrate of 25 years standing, I am chair of the Bench sitting at Victoria Law Courts, Birmingham. I am a director of a firm of multi-disciplinary architectural, civil, structural consultants, having links with schools wherever possible to enhance career aspirations of pupils in this area.
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Ruby UbhiDirector 01 Jun 2019 - 31 May 2023
Ruby Ubhi
Hello, I'm Ruby. My learning experience and teachers, who encouraged me to be bold and aim high, have played a huge part in me living my life goals today. Being a Director at the Academy is a huge privilege, and I'm committed to enabling young people and leaders in my community to thrive.
I am a Leadership & Talent Development Consultant and run my own small business, working with companies in the UK and overseas. I love working with people and supporting them to achieve their fullest potential. My background is in management and leadership, I started my career as an NHS Graduate Management Trainee and have held a number of senior management roles since. I have also worked in Healthcare Consultancy at KPMG, where I developed a global perspective on leadership and experience of leading large-scale leadership development programmes.
In my spare time you'll find me travelling, walking my dog or reading a good book.
Qualifications: MSc Public Health & Leadership (University of Birmingham), PGCE Post Compulsory Education (University of Wolverhampton), BSc Business Maths & Statistics (The London School of Economics), Certificate Humanistic Counselling Skills (Gestalt Centre).
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Rupi ChandlaDirector 10 Dec 2019 - 09 Dec 2023
Rupi Chandla
I am an Associate Solicitor at Eversheds Sutherland (International) LLP and specialise in Real Estate Litigation/Property Disputes. I studied Law at the University of Birmingham.
I am a member of organisations such as the Birmingham Law Society and the Birmingham Solicitors Group. I am passionate about giving back to my community and promoting equality & diversity. I sit on the Birmingham Law Society EDI committee.
Previously I have been a Mentor as part of The Prince's Trust's 'Mosaic' programme. I was also Board Secretary for Sport4Life a Birmingham based charity and a Director of the Birmingham Trainee Solicitors' Society.
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Trystan ShawDirector 23 Jun 2020 - 22 Jun 2024
Trystan Shaw
I am a Chartered Accountant working at Mazars LLP in Birmingham. I am in the Transaction Services Team providing due diligence and other financial advice on a wide range of corporate transactions for both private and not for profit businesses. Prior to this I worked in the Internal Audit team reviewing risks and internal controls for not for profit businesses including housing associations and educational academy trusts.
I have been on the Board of Directors for Hamstead Hall Academy Trust since June 2020. My roles and responsibilities include scrutinising the financial performance of the Trust, advising on financial performance indicators, and ensuring that there are appropriate controls in place regarding financial risks.
I am connected to the Trust via my Grandad who worked at Hamstead Hall for over 20 years as both a teacher and Head of Lower School. -
Aanisah BeggCo-opted Director 14 Dec 2021 - 13 Dec 2025
Aanisah Begg
I am Birmingham born and bred and have always lived in Handsworth Wood. I attended King Edward VI Handsworth School for Girls before graduating with a BSc in Mathematics with Economics from Aston University in 2012.
I am an Investment Manager at a Birmingham based Venture Capital Fund. I have a passion for supporting local entrepreneurs in business growth, helping them to build successful and innovative companies of the future via financial and operational management.
I believe my passion for Birmingham and the local community, coupled with my professional experience enables me to make a valuable contribution to the governing board. The success of our region is heavily underpinned by the c.400 schools, 15 universities and 3 university colleges within one hour's drive of the city, churning out world-class talent. It is imperative all children are given the opportunity of gaining the best education possible equipping them with the life skills to purse their chosen career.
I have previously volunteered with Young Enterprise, enabling young people to develop the knowledge and skills needed for the world of work. I regularly deliver presentations to A Level students in Birmingham, highlighting the professional services careers available in the city and encouraging girls to consider careers in STEM.
Please click on the photos for further information.
Members
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Rachel BurroughsMember 17 Oct 2017 - present
Rachel Burroughs
Having taught in the West Midlands for 30 years, I have expanded and used my pedagogical knowledge to support the academy trust. I believe in promoting inclusivity and cultural diversity. My extensive knowledge of critical governance spans over 20 years and includes pastoral, safe- guarding, strategic leadership and management. I am passionate about every student's achievement and believe that every young person should leave school with life skills which will enable them to encounter and overcome difficult tasks, be tolerant and remain learners throughout their lives. My daughters, who were previously educated at Hamstead Hall, achieved very well and have gone on to undertake very good careers. I live locally, have strong links with parents and through my role as a Neighbourhood Watch Co-ordinator am able to reach out towards the community.
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Pam GarringtonMember 17 Oct 2017 - present
Pam Garrington
I have a background in Secondary education where I taught for 27 years. I was a member of the Senior Leadership team before moving to a Local Authority School Improvement Service in 2003 -2012. I retired in August 2012 and wanted to devote more time to pursuing my interest in governance. I became a National Leader of Governance in March 2012, in the very first cohort. I have an MA in Educational Leadership and Innovation.
2019 marked my 25th year as a governor and I have served on governing boards in the Primary and the Secondary phase, as well as being a trustee in a multi-academy trust.
I am firmly committed to the importance of high-quality and ethical governance and am dedicated to ensuring that the children and young people in our schools have access to great teaching and resources to enable them to be the best they can be.
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Peter FrenchMember 17 Oct 2017 - present
Peter French
I have been a governor at Hamstead Hall since 1997 when I was the Vicar at St Andrew's Church in Handsworth. I have been Chair of Governors and have served on the Professional Fulfilment and Finance and Resources Committees.
Prior to this I have been a governor of another secondary school in Bury, Lancashire and Chair of Governors of a primary school in Bury. Part of my current job as the Assistant Director of Education for Church of England schools in the Birmingham area is to support and train governors. I am also a National Leader of Governance. As well as leading governor training I have participated in governor training to ensure my skills are up to date. As a governing body we have worked hard to ensure Hamstead Hall, and now Grestone Academy, provide high quality all round education for the pupils.
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Phillip RiggonMember 17 Oct 2017- present
Phillip Riggon
My experience to date has equipped me with a wealth of knowledge and valuable skills which have been developed over forty years as a Science teacher.
I have taught in a variety of Schools across the West Midlands which has given me the opportunity to work with a diverse and dynamic group of people. Early in my career, as a qualified teacher I worked in the Ethnic Minorities support service in Sandwell. My task was to implement changes to the curriculum for students who were struggling academically, this resulted in pupils becoming empowered and engaged by the lessons that they were taught. After working in this area for three years, I returned to mainstream education until I retired. As well as this I have served in middle management roles as a head of department in two large secondary schools in the area.
Throughout my time teaching I have enjoyed working with other colleagues to ensure pupils are supported in an environment which enables them to achieve their best. Working in inner city schools in some of the poorest areas of the West Midlands has enabled me to appreciate the challenges that many young people face. I have also been influential in breaking down the barriers many have to overcome to achieve their full potential.
I recently completed my tenure after 5 years at the Teacher Regulatory Agency; Professional Conduct Panel, as part of the Department for Education. As a panel member I was able to work with professionals from a range of disciplines including Law, Academia and Public Relations. This role required team work and critical thinking when analysing the evidence brought in front of us, in order to arrive at a just and fair conclusion.
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David BrownMember 10 Dec 2019 - present
David Brown
David is a specialist Interim CEO supporting Trusts. He has supported Trusts to grow as well as acting on behalf of a DfE Intervention Board to deal with highly significant financial challenges. He was described by ESFA in 2019 as an 'experienced specialist in turning around failed trusts'.
David has worked as a national policy adviser, an Executive Director of Education and Children's Services, an Executive Headteacher several times, and the Chief Executive of an Academy Trust. Throughout his career he has been focused upon the improvement of challenging and high profile urban schools and larger structural change solutions in the sector and beyond.
Educated at his local state school in Birmingham UK, he has an Economics degree and MA from Cambridge University, an MBA in Education (International) and qualified in teaching at the renowned Institute of Education, London. David has been a Visiting Professor and Visiting Fellow at UK universities.
From his first Headship he has led and supported many schools, all of them in deprived areas or challenging circumstances. He has helped schools to achieve top 5% nationally/most improved schools on several occasions from 2001 to 2016 across many different assessment measures. He was one of the first phase of Executive Headteachers in the UK and has written about executive leadership across schools.
David was Chair of the West Midlands UK Directors of Children's Services and Education and as Director led the procurement of the largest public-private education contract in Europe in 2008. In the same year the local authority was in the top 10 local authorities for improvement at both GCSE and Primary results.
As a pioneer in the trending world of Executive Headship, he has worked with universities, central and local government, faith groups and charities whilst still leading challenging schools himself. David was national adviser on education for the Church of England and the Secretariat for the Church of England's 'Church School of the Future Report'.
David is a regular public speaker including at the Houses of Parliament and Tjanjin, China, and has written extensively on change and improvement. He has experience of schools in South Sudan, Brazil, India, China and USA in March 2017 was a member of the first FCO UK Trade Mission to Kyrgyzstan on behalf of Cambridge University Press Education Reform.
Please click on the photos for further information.
Resignations
Mr Surinder Buray
Member
September 2021.
