Directors

Lindsey Evans
iMAT CEO & Executive Headteacher

Updated bio to follow

Karen Falvey
Chair of Directors

Karen has been a Trustee of IMAT since September 2016, and is currently Chair of The Hawksmoor Learning Trust in Towcester and Brackley. Karen was also made a National Leader of Governance in 2016, and has carried out several External Reviews of Governance for local schools either at their request, or when required by Ofsted.

Karen is from a scientific background, with a degree in Pharmacology. She worked for several years for Esso Petroleum in a variety of roles including marketing, airport operations, refinery planning and as section head of the laboratory where all products going to market were tested. Whilst in this role, Karen worked with schools in the Southampton area to encourage girls to get more involved in science.

Terry Lifford

A Northamptonshire local, now living in Banbury, and currently Chair of Governors at Woodford Halse Primary Academy, Terry Lifford is a long standing Post Graduate educationalist with 20 years plus Headship experience. She was one time Chair of Northamptonshire Primary Headteachers’ Association and Chair of Daventry and District Headteachers group. She also worked for several years for Northampton College presenting educational related modules to aspiring senior managers.

Now semi-retired, she has worked as an Academic Tutor for The University of Northampton for sixteen years, supporting teaching assistants working towards a degree in Teaching and Learning.

She is also an enthusiastic, proactive volunteer for the National Trust at Canons Ashby.

Andrew Read

Diocese Representative

Updated bio to follow

Helen Holmes
Outcomes and Provisions Committee Chair

Helen is currently Director of Children and Families at the National Deaf Children's Society, where she has responsibility for operational services across the UK, whose aim is improving outcomes for deaf children and young people. Prior, she held senior roles at two other major charities. At Scope, she led the development of services, education and transition provision for disabled children; at Leonard Cheshire Disability developing services for adults with disabilities.

Helen's earlier career involved a number of years working in secondary education : a Head of Department role at Northampton High School for girls and teaching role at a large comprehensive school in London.

Peter Banks
Vice Chair of Directors
Chair of the Finance
Audit and Pay Committee

Peter retired from his position as Internal Control Supervisor at Ford Motor Company, European Parts Operations in 2005 after 30 years service with the company.

Peter is a long serving past chair of governors (and past pupil) of Badby School and a long serving past chair and governor of The Grange School, Daventry. As well as being a member and director of the Innovate Multi Academy Trust, he was a founder of Ask Education and the Inspire Multi Academy Trust.

One of Peter’s passions is sport, and he is a trustee of The Daventry and District Sports Trust and Director, Life Member and founder player of Daventry Rugby Football Club.

Joanne Sanchez

Jo has been the Executive Headteacher and Chief Executive Officer of the Learning for Life Trust since September 2016.

Jo has a very wide range of experiences working in education over the past 30 years: she has worked in eight different schools in the UK and the US and taught every age group from Reception to sixth form. She has been headteacher of 2 schools, worked as a local authority school improvement partner and as an independent education consultant, and has the privilege of visiting schools on inspection. She has been a school governor in three schools before joining the Trust. She is also a trustee of a Single Academy Trust in West Northamptonshire.

Cath Kitchen
SEN Director

Cath has lived and worked in Northamptonshire for the last 20 years and joined the Trust Board in 2023. She has 2 grown up children and 2 grandchildren who attend a school within the Trust. She was previously a CEO of a multi academy trust for settings that provide education for pupils with medical needs who cannot attend school full time, and she worked in this sector for over 20 years, starting as a teacher at Northampton General Hospital. Along with her experience in medical alternative provision, Cath also has a Masters in Child and Adolescent Mental Health, and was previously a National Leader of Education, being awarded an OBE for her services to children and young people. In her role as the chair of the National Association for Hospital Education, she regularly meets with the DfE on proposed changes to the wider alternative provision sector and speaks at national events. Cath is passionate about equality of opportunity for all learners, particularly those with special and additional needs and is looking forward to supporting The Trust in these areas.

Ian Ascroft

Ian is a Governance manager and has extensive experience in Risk Management. In addition to sitting on the board of iMAT, he is a trustee at Evolve MAT, and vice chair of a maintained primary school in Warwickshire. 

Giles Bird

Biography to follow.

Jordan Smithson

Jordan is currently the Trust IT Services Manager for the Peterborough Keys Academies Trust and supports over 11 schools across the city with IT. He has over 7+ years experience providing dedicated IT support to schools and multi academy trust and understands the role that technology plays in teaching and learning along with the wider operational functions of a school.

Jordan has also has achieved Microsoft MIE Expert and Apple Teacher certification and is a proud member of BCS The Chartered Institute for IT (MBCS). Recently Jordan has started public/keynote speaking on various topics related to education and technology. Jordan is passionate about bridging the gap between digital skills and learning outcomes, and empowering educators and students to use technology effectively and creatively.

Peter Banks

Peter Cantley
Diocese

Janet Wincott

Chris Lofts