Jon Lovatt - Chief Executive Officer, Accounting Officer, Trust Safeguarding and Governance Lead:

Jon has over 40 years’ experience working in the Public Sector. In 2014, Jon worked with a group of visionary headteachers committed to building a collaborative partnership, whose work was pivotal to establishing the Trust in 2016.  He was appointed CEO in February 2016 on the incorporation of the Trust.

Jon is also a founding member of the Ivy Learning Trust based in Enfield; a member of The Aim High Trust in Sunderland; co-founder and director of The Valiant School, an Independent Primary School for children with extreme social and emotional needs in North Staffordshire; and Chair of Governors at two schools in a neighbouring Trust.

Jon has a CBA and DBA, and also undertook the Future Leaders' Trust's Executive Educators' Programme in 2015, forerunner to the NPQEL.

He is a member of Stoke-on-Trent LA’s Children’s Improvement Board and CEO Partnership Board, and also works collaboratively with a number of other CEOs from the West Midlands and nationally.  Jon is also a member of the CEO Futures Forum.  

Jon is proud to be from Stoke-on-Trent and passionately believes in ‘Great Learning Opportunities for All’, the Trust's maxim.

 

Steve Martin - Deputy Chief Executive Officer, Trust Sustainability Lead:

Steve has over twenty years’ experience as a teacher in the primary sector, including twelve years as a Headteacher.

In 2014, Steve worked with a group of other visionary headteachers committed to building a collaborative partnership, whose work was pivotal to establishing the Trust in 2016. He was seconded as Deputy CEO in September 2022 and, in addition to this, is also Headteacher of Goldenhill Primary Academy. Steve is passionate about working with school leaders and teachers in a collaborative and supportive way to ensure all children have the very best learning opportunities.

Part of his role as Deputy CEO is to support the development of an effective business development strategy and plan based upon the joint priorities of all the settings within the Trust. Steve also facilitates the pastoral support for headteachers across the trust and has oversight of all mentoring arrangements for new headteachers and deputy headteachers.

Steve works with internal and external partners to enable the identification of improvement priorities across the Trust and in individual settings, and plays a key role in leading the Improving Education Team.

He has extensive experience of facilitating school-to-school support and has carried out Continuing Professional Development in a number of schools as part of this process.

Steve has also been a governor for over ten years in two primary schools, supporting their strategic direction and vision and supporting their local communities.

Steve passionately believes in developing the whole child; developing them into citizens of the future, ensuring that they achieve their potential. He believes this is achieved through developing a well-structured and sequenced curriculum, consistent high-quality teaching, and meaningful assessment approaches, ensuring that children are taught through engaging and motivating learning experiences that inspire and lead to a deeper level of understanding.

 

Sally Henderson - Chief Finance Officer and Procurement Lead:

Sally has eighteen years’ experience in Business Management in the Education Sector and has worked across the entire age range (aged 2 – 19 years) in both mainstream and special schools.

Sally was awarded the Certificate in School Business Management in 2005 and the Diploma in School Business Management along with an Advanced Diploma in Administrative Management in 2008.

A firm believer in collaboration, Sally founded the Stoke-on-Trent School Business Manager Association. She established the group with the belief that collaboration and the sharing of best practice improves performance. Initially formed with three Business Managers in the North of Stoke-on-Trent, the group now comprises the vast majority of schools in the city and has gone from strength to strength.

Sally was the Business Manager at one of The Societas Trust primary schools during the conversion process and went on to be appointed as Deputy Chief Finance Officer in June 2021.

In November 2021, Sally was successfully seconded as Chief Finance Officer and is incredibly proud to be in the post. In addition to this, she is also the Head of Support Services at Summerbank Primary Academy.

 

Nichola Gibson - Executive Education Lead:

Nichola brings over 35 years of experience in primary education, including more than two decades as a Headteacher and, more recently, as an Executive Leader. In 2014, Nichola worked with a group of other visionary headteachers committed to building a collaborative partnership, whose work was pivotal to establishing the Trust in 2016.

In September 2019, Nichola was seconded to the part-time role of Executive Education Representative. She is deeply passionate about the power of collaboration in education, firmly believing that children’s needs are best met when schools and educators work together—sharing expertise, knowledge, and resources while maintaining strong ties with the communities they serve.

As Executive Education Representative, Nichola supports the development of the Trust’s Improving Education Strategy and Plan, aligning it with the shared priorities of our settings. She also works closely with both internal and external partners to identify improvement opportunities across the Trust and within individual schools, and plays a key role in leading the Improving Education Team.

Committed to lifelong learning and professional growth, Nichola holds a Master’s Degree in Education Management, a National Professional Qualification in Executive Leadership, and a Level 7 ILM qualification in Executive Coaching. She champions coaching as a powerful tool to unlock potential, drive strategic impact, and empower leaders to lead with confidence and clarity.

 

Lisa Barnett - Co-Training and Compliance Lead:

Lisa graduated with an LLB (Hons) Law degree and then worked in IT recruitment for over fifteen years, gaining extensive experience of contract management and compliance.

She joined the Education sector in 2015 and has since gained broad experience of school support services, working in school Business Management and as part of school Senior Leadership Teams.

Lisa is extremely proud to have worked for The Societas Trust since September 2020, also serving as Academy Business Manager, initially at Goldenhill Primary Academy and currently at Ash Green Primary Academy.   

As part of her Trust duties, Lisa co-ordinates the Data Protection Audit for the Trust and liaises with the Trust's Data Protection Officer on all related matters. She also strives to ensure all relevant policies and procedures are compliant, implemented and adhered to.

Lisa is now looking ahead and is excited to contribute to the Trust’s further development and growth.

 

Sallie Powell - Co-Training and Compliance Lead:

Sallie has extensive experience of the financial services industry, having worked for over thirteen years in high street banking. This provided an excellent platform for the development of her career as a School Business Manager over the last eighteen years. Her career has taken her to senior leadership positions in a number of schools, eventually leading the support team at Ellison Primary Academy.

She completed the Certificate in School Business Management in 2008 and has recently completed IOSH Managing Health & Safety Risks in the Education Sector.

In April 2022, Sallie was appointed as Co-Compliance and Training Manager.  As part of her duties, she co-ordinates the Internal Audit for the Trust and liaises with the Trust's Internal Auditor on all related matters. She also strives to ensure all health and safety related policies and procedures are compliant, implemented and adhered to.

Sallie is dedicated to the role and particularly the modelling of the values of the Trust. 

 

Jode Cope - Strategic Improvement Lead:

Jodie is a values-driven educational leader with a strong commitment to equity, inclusion, and the transformative potential of education. As Head Teacher at Ash Green Primary Academy, she leads a thriving school community where academic achievement and wellbeing are interwoven, and where every child is empowered to succeed through a curriculum shaped by curiosity, care, and connection.

Jodie is passionate about cultivating environments in which both staff and pupils feel safe to grow, reflect, and flourish. She champions a coaching-led approach to professional development, ensuring that adults are supported to reach their full potential—recognising that when educators thrive, so do the children in their care.

Prior to her current role, Jodie served as a Specialist Leader of Education, delivering school improvement initiatives and CPD across primary and secondary phases, both locally and beyond. Her work consistently led to high-impact outcomes and sustainable change, underpinned by a collaborative ethos that places children at the heart of every decision.

Her leadership portfolio encompasses strategic planning, teacher appraisal, governance, recruitment, and staffing—ensuring operational clarity and high expectations across the school. She leads pupil progress reviews and staff development through coaching, INSET, and reintegration processes, fostering a reflective and growth-oriented culture. Jodie also oversees attendance, lunchtime provision, and staff wellbeing, creating a safe and supportive environment for all.

She holds responsibility for subject leadership, pupil leadership, and community engagement, and brings particular expertise in assessment and data. Jodie leads on statutory outcomes across all key stages, using performance data to inform targeted action planning and drive continuous improvement. Her analytical and strategic approach enables swift, responsive leadership that is always focused on improving outcomes for children.

 

Jo Cowden - Strategic Improvement Lead for Inclusion and Behaviour:

Joanne brings over two decades of primary teaching experience, including 18 years as SENCo. She is currently Deputy Head at Carmountside Primary Academy, a school serving one of the most deprived communities nationally. Joanne leads on Inclusion and Safeguarding, with a strong focus on pastoral care, child protection, and mental health.

She is a Mental Health First Aider, Early Help Champion, and has completed the DfE Senior Lead for Mental Health training and the National Programme for Specialist Leaders in Behaviour and Attendance (NPSLBA). Her expertise includes trauma-informed practice, domestic abuse, behaviour management, and speech and language interventions.

Joanne was previously an SLE for SEND and a Lead Practitioner within the Trust, supporting staff development and leading CPD. Her commitment to inclusive education helps pupils overcome barriers, build resilience, and thrive both emotionally and academically.

Joanne shares her expertise in trauma-informed practice, behaviour management, and family support across the Trust, contributing to professional development and collaborative growth.

She is a champion of inclusive practices that remove barriers to learning, empower families and colleagues, and promote resilience and achievement across the Trust and school community.

Joanne’s work continues to shape a culture of inclusion, collaboration, and continuous improvement across the Trust, ensuring every child receives the support they need to succeed.

 

Kelsey Lockett- Strategic Improvement Lead:

Kelsey brings over a decade of experience in primary education, with deep expertise across Key Stage 2. Over the past nine years, she has led mathematics across Ball Green Primary School, developing strong subject knowledge and completing both the NPQML and NPQSL qualifications to strengthen her leadership capabilities.

Her career journey has taken her from classroom teacher to mathematics leader, and now to a senior leadership role. Kelsey is driven by a commitment to using rigorous data analysis to inform practice and translate insights into meaningful improvements in children’s learning outcomes.

Kelsey has successfully led a range of strategic initiatives, including the implementation of a mastery approach to mathematics, the design of progressive curriculum structures, and targeted interventions to raise attainment. These experiences have reinforced her belief in the power of strategic planning to deliver lasting impact.

Kelsey is passionate about supporting colleagues across the Trust through coaching, mentoring, and collaborative improvement work. She believes that every child deserves the highest quality education, and that strategic improvement leadership is key to achieving this across the Trust community.

 

Janine Oakley - Strategic Improvement Lead:

Janine has a passion for all aspects of teaching and learning. She thrives on sharing effective practice and working collaboratively with colleagues to explore innovative approaches that enhance classroom impact. Through her involvement in various professional networks, she has supported staff beyond her own setting—translating the latest educational research into practical strategies tailored to individual school contexts.

She has had the privilege of supporting teachers and leaders across the Trust through school improvement journeys, acting as a coach and mentor both within her own academy and other settings. Janine holds a strong belief in the power of collaboration, the importance of empowering leaders, and the value of investing in staff development to ensure the best possible learning experiences for all children.

As Deputy Headteacher at Ellison Primary Academy, Janine leads teaching and learning and oversees staff development across the academy. She plays a key role in developing subject and middle leaders, coaching them through improvement processes and equipping them to support colleagues and evaluate impact effectively. She also leads a wide range of CPD initiatives and supports others in designing and delivering high-quality professional development.

Janine is currently focused on building staff expertise and embedding whole-school systems that promote inclusive practice and high expectations for all learners in her setting and across the Trust.