Our Trustees
To contact the Chair of Trustees, please email Liz Bharj - Clerk to the Trustees via liz@governance-connected.co.uk
TrusteesMr Howard Fisher
Chair
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Howard began his teaching career after earning a BEd (Hons) in Mathematics. His journey started in a challenging school in Harlow, Essex, where he quickly rose to become Key Stage Manager for the infant department. He later moved to an independent school in Hertfordshire, teaching pupils from nursery to sixth form, and completed his first postgraduate qualification in Special Educational Needs, focusing on children’s literature and the question: Why do boys fail? Relocating to East London, Howard joined a multicultural school in Walthamstow that had recently been failed by inspectors. Collaborating closely with the Headteacher, he helped to drive rapid improvements. This success led to a Deputy Headship in Sheerness, Kent—another school facing significant socio-economic challenges—where he completed his National Professional Qualification for Headship (NPQH). Howard’s first Headship was at a struggling school on the Romney Marsh, where he led a successful turnaround and completed a second postgraduate qualification in Faith in Education. His work laid the foundation for his next challenge: the opening and development of a brand-new school on the Isle of Sheppey. In just eight months, he oversaw the full restructuring and building process, working closely with architects and leading the school to ongoing success. Now in his twenty- first year of Headship, Howard successfully led his current school through conversion to Academy status under the Diocese and continues to shape and implement its long-term strategic vision. He has also served as an Executive Headteacher within his Trust, where he played a pivotal role in bringing a second school out of Special Measures within just six months.
Howard holds both a further degree and a Master's in Theology, deepening his commitment to faith-based education. In addition to his leadership responsibilities, he serves as an Ofsted and SIAMS inspector, reflecting his ongoing dedication to raising standards and ensuring excellence across the sector. He is a governor to a local Island school and has served at the Chair for TILT for five years. He remains deeply committed to educational improvement, inclusion, and the development of schools rooted in strong moral and spiritual values.
Mr Aaron Janes
Vice Chair
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I am currently a senior engineer looking after a team of engineers delivering connection projects across south London ranging from small service upgrades in individual properties to multi million pound developments such as the Shard and London Bridge redevelopment programme. I work for the electricity board (UK Power Networks). I joined them (London Electricity as it was then) in Aug' 1999 as an apprentice cable jointer. I have a HNC in Electrical engineering and a NEBOSH diploma in Health and Safety. I am currently in my final year of a part time 3 year master’s degree studying leadership and management. An experienced Governor with over 15 years’ experience: Vice Chair for 3 years, Chair currently at Eastchurch CEP School (have been for 2 years). Experience with HT recruitment panel, staff discipline panel and expulsion panel. Chair of finance committee for four years so experienced with school budgets. Experienced with DATA analysis. Currently serve on the executive committee for the Kent Governors Association representing SWALE governors, working with Governor services and holding them to account for support functions available to Kent Governors. Trained in Safer Recruitment. Recently attended the DFE programme for School Governance leadership.
Skills: Finance and budget management, leadership, project management, change management, people management, communication, Health & Safety
Mr Gary Jeffery
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My full name is Gary Raymond Jeffery, 55 years of age and a real local, having lived on the Isle of Sheppey for all of those years, progressing through the then Primary (Rose Street), Middle (St Georges C E) and the Sheppey Comprehensive educational structure. I am passionate about improving life chances for students. I currently have a Sole Trader Business involved in Garden Maintenance, which has been in operation for a number of years, mainly servicing and transforming domestic and commercial areas in the Sheppey and Sittingbourne area. Prior to this I spent many years in operational management within a large company, including several years in a General Manager role reporting to the Group CEO, driving a direct report operational team to success on a variety of fronts – Finance, Health and Safety, Operations, Service and Team Performance. This role was national, culminating with responsibility for a large annual budget and a high number of staff. I am of analytical nature, like attention to detail and am of a non-personalised direct nature, striving and demanding of success, good performance and standards. Whilst truth is in the eye of the receiver, I am of the belief that I am also of an approachable, understanding and supporting nature, and believe the above mix of business exposure, personal attributes and local interest will support TILT well.
Skills: Performance Management and Business Process Improvement, Project Management and delivery, Leadership, People Management, Communication. Good understanding of Finance/Accounts and Management Performance Information.
Alison Payne
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As People Director at COOK, I lead a team of HR professionals and contribute to the strategic agenda as part of the Senior Leadership Team. I am passionate about inclusive policies and structures that facilitate the needs of a fast-paced growing business, with happier people and customers year on year. I am a trained Wisdom and Wellbeing practitioner and being part-time myself, am passionate about flexible working and enabling everyone to have the agility they need in modern life to be the best they can be at work and at home. Prior to joining COOK, I held many operational roles at Tesco Stores Ltd before becoming a Group Personnel Manager for the Tesco Metro format in London.
Alex Jackson
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Alex is the Chief Finance Officer (CFO)) at the Skills for Life Trust. Alex joined the Skills for Life Trust in January 2020 from a neighbouring Multi Academy Trust in Medway, where he held the position of Financial Controller.
Alex has significant public sector financial management, planning and strategy experience in both Education and Healthcare across the home counties and London. Prior to this, he gained commercial Accountancy experience in Construction, Insurance and Property, working for a number of high profile firms. Alex is currently working towards finishing his CIMA qualification.
In his current role Alex is responsible for all aspects of Trust finance and is accountable to the CEO (AO), DCEO, Trust Finance & Audit Committee and Board of Trustees. His core purpose is to ensure the effective and efficient management of Trust finances, providing best value quality outcomes with limited resource. He ensures adherence to the requirements outlined in the Academy Trust Handbook, guidelines set by the ESFA. He also ensures Trust Annual accounts are produced and shared. This includes undertaking duties such as setting and maintaining budgets and five-year financial forecasts, maintaining robust financial controls and producing accurate and timely information, in order for Trust leaders to make informed decisions and to safeguard the financial future of the Trust.
Alex is also tasked with driving forward the Trust’s ambition to capitalise on the considerable commercial potential of the Trust’s assets in order to add to the funds that can be directly attributed to improving the educational offer in each school. Alex leads a team of eight central finance staff.
Ann Pattenden
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Having spent 25 years in education, I feel I have the skills and knowledge to support the dedicated Trustees currently in role to support the further development of the Trust.
I have thoroughly enjoyed my career in education. I have had a number of roles including teacher, Assessment Lead, Deputy Head, Headteacher and currently Executive Headteacher. Through these roles, I have gained a wealth of experience in school improvement with some of my highlights including leading improvements in end of Key Stage outcomes; working as a Headteacher supporting those new to Headship who were part of a Trust, completing my NPQH and then NPQEL. I have led a variety of sized staff teams and was part of a team who helped form the Medway Education Leaders Association (MELA).
I am aware that the strategic role and core function of the board is to ensure clarity of vision, ethos and strategic direction; to hold leaders to account for the educational performance of the organisation and its pupils and the performance management of staff; overseeing the financial performance of the organisation and making sure its money is well spent.
I recognise the importance of support and challenge and keep myself up to date with ever changing legislation and demands on educational providers.
Naturally through the various roles within school, I have a good understanding of data, finance and the curriculum. I also understand the importance of being prepared ahead of attending meetings and spending time in settings to complete monitoring tasks thus, gaining a better understanding of the complexities of each individual school.
Jill Palmer
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I currently serve as Executive Principal of Meadowfield School, Sittingbourne, and feel very privileged to be appointed as a trustee. I hope to utilise my 39 years in the field of special education to support the aims and values of The Island Learning Trust. My father, Frank Palmer, has always been my inspiration as a polio survivor who in my eyes as his youngest daughter, could accomplish anything. I have been a PE Teacher, Class Teacher, Head of Department, Deputy Headteacher and Principal, all the while working with pupils of all ages (3-25) with a range of special educational needs in both the USA and UK.
In 1994, I took part in the Fulbright Teacher Exchange Programme and after completing a one year Teacher Exchange programme, decided to extend my stay – and here I am 28 years on. Aside from SEN, my educational interests include leadership coaching, supporting staff in their professional development, inclusion and curriculum development.