Meet the team behind Trinity

Mathew Brown is Principal of Trinity Academy St Thomas’, a Church of England junior school in Featherstone, West Yorkshire. Mathew joined Trinity Multi-Academy Trust in September 2020 and previously served as Principal of Trinity Academy St Peter’s, where he led the school on a rapid journey of improvement, culminating in strong Ofsted and SIAMS inspection outcomes in 2023 and 2025 respectively.

With over 10 years in education, Mathew progressed from the classroom into senior leadership within another high-performing academy trust before joining Trinity. Throughout his career, he has chosen to work in schools serving communities facing significant disadvantage, driven by a belief that every child deserves the best possible opportunities, wherever they come from.
Mathew holds the National Professional Qualification for Headship (NPQH).

Rachel Dawson is Principal of both Trinity Academy St Chad’s and Trinity Academy St Peter’s. She joined the Trust as Assistant Principal in 2020, becoming Principal of Trinity Academy St Peter’s in 2021 before taking on the Principal role at Trinity Academy St Chad’s, where she now leads both schools.

Rachel has led Trinity Academy St Chad’s to a Good with Outstanding Features Ofsted judgement in 2023, and has supported the school in achieving World Class School status, making it the only World Class Primary School in Calderdale.

She has a particular interest in inclusive practice, underpinned by her degree in Disability Studies and Inclusive Practice, and holds the National Professional Qualification for Senior Leadership (NPQSL) and the National Professional Qualification for Headship (NPQH).

Rachel is committed to raising standards and building strong, inclusive school communities, ensuring pupils across both academies benefit from high-quality education and effective leadership.

Michael Fitzsimons has been Principal of Trinity Sixth Form Academy since it was established in 2019. He brings 20 years of experience in education, beginning his career as a PE teacher before moving into middle leadership as a head of department and head of year, and then to Trinity Academy Halifax as Assistant Principal with responsibility for the sixth form. His career has spanned York, Leeds and Halifax.

Michael’s leadership focuses on building strong teams and a positive culture, underpinned by high standards of conduct and professionalism. He has a sustained track record of improving student outcomes: progress, achievement, attendance, retention and destinations, and particularly those of disadvantaged students and students with SEND.

Michael is Vice Chair of NorVIC (North of England Sixth Form Colleges) and a governor of a federation of two primary schools. A former Specialist Leader of Education, he continues to work with other providers on raising standards and holds a BSc in Sport and Exercise Science.

Mark Allen is Principal of Trinity Academy St Edward’s and brings over 18 years of leadership experience across pastoral care, SEND, inclusion and school improvement. Beginning his career as a PE teacher, Mark developed a passion for helping young people thrive academically and personally. Today, he considers his role as Principal his dream job, giving him the opportunity to transform the life chances of children and families.

Mark holds the National Professional Qualification for Headship (NPQH), is trained in Nurture and Team Teach approaches, and is the author of Leading Inclusion in a Secondary School. Alongside his role at TASE, he chairs two inclusion panels across Barnsley, is a Trustee of INOVA Trust and helps deliver Trinity’s Leadership Insights course for current and aspiring leaders.

His leadership style is child and adult-centred, built on relationships, positivity, compassion and belief in the potential of every individual. Passionate, determined and optimistic, Mark is committed to ensuring children from all backgrounds have the opportunity to succeed. He champions high expectations and challenges limitations sometimes placed on young people, believing the right support and opportunities can help every child achieve more.

Rebecca Holland is Principal at Trinity Academy Akroydon and brings more than 20 years of experience in primary education. Throughout her career, she has worked as a teacher, senior leader, headteacher/principal across both small and large primary school settings, including settings with resourced provision for pupils with Social, Emotional and Mental Health (SEMH) needs.

Rebecca holds a BSc (Hons) in Primary Education and the National Professional Qualification for Headship (NPQH). She is also a Maths Mastery Specialist, with a track record of effectively supporting colleagues with school improvement and curriculum development across a range of schools. As a Professional Development Lead, she has contributed to the creation of nationally used teaching and professional learning materials for the National Centre for Excellence in the Teaching of Mathematics (NCETM).

With a keen interest in SEND, Rebecca is passionate about ensuring every child receives a world-class education and achieves the very best possible outcomes, regardless of their starting point or individual needs.

Kat Cafferky is the Principal of Trinity Academy Leeds, a high-performing inner-city school rated Outstanding in all areas by Ofsted. Kat has extensive knowledge of the free school process, having project-managed the build from its infancy. Under her leadership, Trinity Academy Leeds continues to be a trailblazer on the national scene, attracting visiting professionals from across the country, contributing to published case studies and informing government policy.

Kat is an experienced senior leader who has had an impact across a number of contexts, including in her previous role as Senior Vice Principal at Trinity Academy Cathedral, where she played a pivotal part in its ‘turnaround’ journey. Before this, Kat was a successful Curriculum Leader of English and SLE, undertaking school-to-school support.

Kat is passionate about closing the disadvantage gap and has over twenty years of experience leading and teaching in secondary schools situated in areas of high deprivation. Kat has a strong interest in research-based practice around culture and teaching and learning and holds an MA in educational leadership alongside the NPQH and NPQEL qualifications.

Sarah has worked in education for nearly 20 years. She joined Trinity MAT in 2013 and has worked at Trinity Academy Halifax throughout that time, serving as the Curriculum Leader for English, Assistant Principal and then Vice Principal for Quality of Education before becoming Principal in 2021. The Academy secured an Ofsted judgement of Outstanding in all areas in 2023 – highlighting the ambition to provide every individual within the organisation; with every opportunity for success.

In this time, Sarah has also led the Teaching and Learning Network across the Trust and became the Director of Trinity Institute of Education in 2023. Through this, she oversees the work as an Associate College for the NIoT in delivering teacher training, ECF support and NPQs. She is also the architect and strategic lead of the Trust’s grassroots model for school improvement. She leads the SPARKE on-demand CPD offer across the Trust which includes a yearly research journal, a video archive of modelled practice and a leadership podcast. Sarah supports the strategic direction and facilitates the secondary networks which work at all levels of leadership throughout the Trust to share strong practice.

Liz brings more than 30 years of experience from across the education sector, including over 20 years in senior and executive leadership.

Throughout her career, Liz has been driven by a strong commitment to making a meaningful difference to the lives and educational outcomes of young people, particularly those facing disadvantage and barriers to success. She has seen first-hand the impact that putting young people at the heart of decision-making can have. She has extensive experience of working in areas of high deprivation and is passionate about ensuring that every young person is known, valued and understood, regardless of their background or circumstances.

As an experienced senior leader, Liz is committed to creating a high-performing, inclusive school where ambition is matched by care and where every child is given the opportunity to succeed. Her leadership is underpinned by a belief that education should be transformational and that schools have a vital role to play in improving life chances and tackling inequality.

Liz holds a BA(Hons), MA and the National Professional Qualification for Headship and Executive Leadership (NPQH/EL).

Anna Gillinder has been Principal of Trinity Academy Cathedral since April 2023, leading one of the highest-performing schools in Wakefield, consistently achieving outcomes in the top 10% nationally.

Anna joined the academy in 2020 as Vice Principal, where she led the teaching and learning strategy and played a pivotal role in securing the academy’s Ofsted Outstanding judgement in 2022. Since becoming Principal, she has led Trinity Academy Cathedral to its strongest-ever outcomes and secured a strong judgement across all areas in its most recent Ofsted inspection.

Passionate about inclusion and ensuring every young person can succeed, Anna is a qualified SENDCO, holding a Postgraduate Certificate in SEND Coordination (PGCert) with distinction. She also holds the National Professional Qualification for Headship (NPQH).

Anna is committed to providing an ambitious education for all students, combining academic excellence with the highest standards of care, support and opportunity.

Chris Kimberley is Principal of Trinity Academy Whitehill, having taken up the role in 2024. Throughout his career, he has worked as a teacher, Assistant Headteacher and Vice Principal, serving deprived communities in inner-city Bradford and developing a strong commitment to improving educational opportunities and outcomes for every child.

Trinity Academy Whitehill is Calderdale’s largest primary school, with over 600 pupils. Under Chris’ leadership, the school secured its best-ever outcomes in both 2025 and 2026, reflecting the dedication of staff, pupils and the wider school community.

In 2026, Chris successfully led a Department for Education School-Based Nursery bid, securing funding for the opening of Little Blossoms, a new provision for two-year-old children. This has expanded early years opportunities and strengthened support for families across Whitehill and the wider Illingworth community.

Alongside his role at Whitehill, Chris supports Trinity Academy Akroydon in a school improvement capacity, sharing his experience and expertise across the Trust.

Chris is passionate about creating inclusive, ambitious learning environments where every child, regardless of background or circumstance, has the opportunity and support to succeed.

Michael Gosling is the Group Chief Executive Officer and Accounting Officer of Trinity Multi‑Academy Trust. He was the Trust’s founding Principal in 2009 and has played a central role in shaping Trinity’s strategic direction, culture, and sustained improvement over more than a decade.

During his tenure as Principal, the academy achieved two Outstanding Ofsted judgements and was designated as a National Support School, a National Teaching School, and a Maths Hub of Excellence. In recognition of his system leadership and contribution to school improvement beyond Trinity, Michael was awarded National Leader of Education (NLE) status in 2013.

As Group CEO, Michael has overseen the Trust’s expansion from a single academy to 11 academies, all of which are judged good or outstanding by Ofsted. He has led the development of a strongly values-driven Trust focused on high-quality education, professional learning, and inclusive practice. Under his leadership, Trinity has established the Trinity Institute of Education to support teacher training and development, and founded White Rose Education Limited, a nationally and internationally recognised organisation providing high-quality curriculum resources to schools and academies.

Michael provides strategic leadership across governance, finance, safeguarding, and educational standards, working closely with trustees, executive leaders, and principals to ensure strong accountability and continuous improvement across the Trust.

Nick Robinson is the Deputy Chief Executive Officer at Trinity Multi‑Academy Trust, having joined Trinity Academy Halifax in 2013. Since then, he has held a range of senior leadership roles, including Assistant Principal, Vice Principal, Principal and Executive Principal, developing extensive expertise in school improvement and system leadership.

As Executive Principal, Nick has strategic responsibility for Trinity Academy Halifax and Trinity Academy Bradford. Under his leadership, Trinity Academy Halifax was judged Outstanding for the third time in 2023. Trinity Academy Bradford, which joined the Trust in 2021 after being graded Inadequate, was judged Good with Outstanding features in 2023, reflecting the rapid impact of focused improvement work.

Nick has also led the development of Trinity Analytics, the Trust’s data and collaboration system, which has strengthened consistency, performance, and professional collaboration across Trinity MAT.

Rob Marsh is the Executive Principal for Trinity Multi‑Academy Trust’s East Hub, where he provides strategic leadership and oversight for Trinity Academy Leeds (TAL), Trinity Academy Cathedral (TAC), and Trinity Academy St Edward’s (TASE). Rob has progressed through a wide range of leadership roles, bringing a wealth of experience and a deep commitment to educational excellence. His leadership journey is marked by a strong track record of school improvement and transformational change.

In 2016, Rob was appointed Principal of Trinity Academy Cathedral, shortly after the school joined Trinity MAT. At that time, the academy was judged as ‘Requires Improvement’. Under his leadership, TAC underwent a significant turnaround, achieving an ‘Outstanding’ Ofsted judgement and consistently securing academic outcomes in the top 10% nationally. His work not only reversed a declining student roll but also strengthened the academy’s reputation within the local community, making it one of the most oversubscribed schools in the region.

As Executive Principal, Rob plays a pivotal role in driving improvement across multiple academies, supporting senior leaders, and ensuring the Trust’s high standards are embedded across all aspects of school life. During his strategic leadership, all three academies within the East Hub have achieved Outstanding Ofsted judgements. His strategic vision, combined with a strong focus on student achievement and community engagement, continues to make a lasting impact across the East Hub and beyond.

Oliver leads IT strategy and operations across Trinity, ensuring every school and every student, regardless of location or background, has access to the technology they need to succeed. His remit spans managing IT implementation for new build projects, the transition of new schools into the Trust, standardisation of systems trust-wide, and leading the Trust’s approach to AI development, all delivered within the practical realities of school budgets.

Oliver has been part of Trinity since its formation in 2010, having joined from the predecessor school and progressed from an IT technician to his current role, building deep institutional knowledge along the way.

He leads a team of IT specialists who manage day-to-day IT provision across every school in the Trust, with particular expertise in cyber security and data protection compliance. Beyond his operational role, Oliver serves as a governor at one of Trinity’s schools, chairs the Trust’s Equality Committee and the AI Business Strategy Group, and sits on the Information Assurance Board. Looking ahead, he is focused on ensuring Trinity’s technology and AI capabilities continue to evolve with the changing needs of schools, staff and students.

As HR Director, Gemma leads on all aspects of HR, working in close partnership with leaders across Trinity to provide strategic advice and support across the full employee lifecycle, including recruitment, employee relations, reward, performance, organisational change and policy development.

Gemma plays a key role in shaping employment practices across the Trust, ensuring robust and effective approaches to recruitment and people management, while supporting a positive organisational culture where colleagues can perform, develop and thrive.

Gemma began her career in the NHS before moving into the private social care sector, returning to the public sector when she joined Trinity in 2019. With over 25 years’ experience across complex organisations, she has led high-performing  HR teams and brings a pragmatic, collaborative and people-focused approach to her role, balancing the needs and experience of colleagues with the operational and strategic priorities of the Trust.

James leads on data analysis across the Trust, supporting a team of data specialists across all secondary and post-16 academies to produce the analysis needed to support education delivery. At Trust level, he develops systems that bring together academy, Trust and national data, making it accessible to a wider group of stakeholders.

James has worked in the Trust since 2011, originally as Data Manager at the founding academy, Trinity Academy Halifax, before moving into his current role in 2021. Before joining Trinity, he worked across several business support organisations in an intelligence and research role, contributing to international projects with overseas organisations. His university degree included a year working abroad at the Chamber of Commerce in France.

James combines this international experience with the analytical skills gained studying Economics at university, ensuring data across the Trust is accessible and can be tailored to each group’s needs.

Harry leads marketing and communications across Trinity, working with senior leaders, academies and central teams to shape how the organisation communicates with staff, families, prospective employees and the wider education sector. His role covers the Trust’s brand and reputation, digital channels, recruitment marketing, campaigns, PR and major communications projects, alongside supporting academies with their own marketing priorities.

He also leads the development of Trinity’s digital presence, including websites and online platforms, and uses data and insight to inform campaigns, improve engagement and strengthen how the Trust tells its story.

With more than 15 years’ experience across education, property, the public sector and charitable organisations, Harry has led marketing teams and supported significant organisational change, combining communications, digital, data and technology to improve how organisations operate and engage.

He also brings experience from commercially focused environments and has served in a non-executive role within the charity sector.

Emma has been the Director of Primary at Trinity MAT since 2019. She has extensive experience across both primary and secondary education, as well as a specialism in literacy across the curriculum.

Emma has served as a principal at primary level and has a proven track record of significant improvement (both pupil outcomes and Ofsted judgements) across a number of challenging schools.  She currently leads across three Trinity primaries and has additional responsibility as the Director of Trinity’s Earthshot initiative.

Tom Taylor is Principal of Trinity Academy Bradford, a role he has held for five years, since the academy joined Trinity Multi-Academy Trust in 2021. Under his leadership, the academy has continued to build on its commitment to high standards and strong outcomes for every student.

Before joining Trinity Academy Bradford, Tom was Vice Principal for Behaviour, Attendance and Safeguarding at Trinity Academy Halifax, where he played a key role in developing the systems and culture that support pupils’ wellbeing and success. Building on this expertise, Tom now serves as the Trust’s lead for Behaviour, Attendance and Safeguarding, shaping policy and practice across all Trinity MAT academies.

Tom has worked in education for almost 20 years and has been part of Trinity MAT since 2014, giving him a deep understanding of the Trust’s values and its mission to provide an excellent education for every child in its care.

Tom is dedicated to creating a safe, supportive and ambitious environment in which students and staff can thrive.

Helen leads on Governance and Compliance across the Trust and her main area of responsibility is ensuring that the governance of the Trust is statutorily compliant and all policies are up to date and reviewed in accordance with DfE guidelines.  Helen looks after all our Directors, Members and Governors across the Trust and all academies, ensuring that they are happy and supported whilst they volunteer for these important roles.

Helen has worked in the Trust for 7 years and prior to that was a qualified and practising solicitor for 19 years. Her main areas of practice were Commercial and Residential Conveyancing, rising to become a Director in a local firm. A change in childcare circumstances brought about a change in career and her legal experience has provided her with invaluable knowledge to fulfil her role in the Trust.

David Sheard is the Group Chief Finance Officer of Trinity Multi‑Academy Trust and has a wealth of skills and experience having held the role since 2016. He has played a key role in the development of the Multi Academy Trust, having supported the establishment of a National Teaching School and a Maths Hub of Excellence, and overseeing the Trust’s financial growth and stability.

David is a chartered management accountant (ACMA, CGMA) and an Accredited School Business Professional (SBP) Mentor, under the DfE’s School Resource Management Advisers (SRMA) initiative. He has led the Trust’s financial strategy through a period of significant expansion, during which Trinity MAT has grown from one academy to 11 academies, and also supported various local trusts with interim CFO support or SBP mentor support as part of the Trust’s commitment to the wider educational sector.

In his role as Group CFO, David provides strategic financial leadership and oversight across the Trust, ensuring strong financial governance, long-term sustainability, and effective resource management in support of the Trust’s educational mission. He brings a collaborative and analytical approach to financial planning, helping to drive operational efficiency while enabling schools within the Trust to deliver consistently high-quality outcomes for pupils. Finally, he supports the subsidiary companies of the Trust in a Non-Executive Director role.

Peter is responsible for the Trust’s operational leadership, overseeing a range of central services and ensuring the Trust’s compliance with statutory duties, legislation, and guidance. A key responsibility is to ensure that robust operational systems are in place to support schools effectively, allowing leaders to focus on teaching and learning.

With significant experience in national, regional, and local public sector policy, service delivery, and programme management, Peter brings this expertise to drive efficiency, manage organisational risk, and ensure value for money in service and programme delivery.

Simon has a strategic Trust-wide role overseeing estates and facilities across all premises, ensuring they are safe, compliant and effectively managed. He supports Principals and senior leaders with the smooth operation of academies and leads capital and improvement projects that enhance the condition of the estate and the experience of pupils and staff.

With more than 30 years’ senior management experience in estates and facilities management, Simon has worked across local government, health, further education and higher education. Before joining Trinity in 2022, he spent eleven years in the education sector, including as Deputy Director of Estates for one of the country’s largest further education providers.

His expertise includes premises compliance, health and safety, capital development and the leadership of premises teams. Simon has also served as a Director of a not-for-profit stadium trust and is currently a governor at one of Trinity’s secondary schools.

Ian leads the Trust’s procurement strategy, contract negotiations and supplier relationship management. He oversees a diverse portfolio of contracts and procurement activity across professional services, facilities management, IT and catering, ensuring value for money, compliance and high-quality service delivery across the Trust.

Ian is a procurement, supply chain, operations and logistics specialist with over 18 years’ experience across both the public and private sectors. Throughout his career, he has held leadership roles responsible for procurement, operational delivery, logistics management and supplier performance, working with some of the UK’s largest organisations. His expertise includes strategic sourcing, contract management, commercial negotiation and developing effective supplier partnerships.

Since joining Trinity four years ago, Ian has helped strengthen procurement practices and commercial outcomes across the Trust. In addition to his professional role, he serves as Vice Chair of Governors at a local primary school, bringing valuable governance experience and a wider understanding of the education sector.

In his role as Director of Quality and Standards, Chris Sylge contributes significantly to the strategic leadership of educational quality, standards, and effectiveness across Trinity Multi Academy Trust. He brings extensive experience in school improvement, including secondary headship and cross-phase roles within local authority and School Improvement Partner (SIP) contexts.

Chris supports the development and implementation of collaborative, Trust‑wide ‘horizontal’ improvement work, enabling academy leaders to achieve, sustain, and build upon high standards of education and strong Ofsted outcomes. His work focuses on strengthening leadership, curriculum quality, and consistency of practice across the Trust.

Chris has over 30 years of experience in the education sector and holds an MEd, MA (Cantab), and the National Professional Qualification for Headship (NPQH).