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Governance

Our Trust is led by an experienced and dedicated Board of Trustees who are committed to the success of every school in our family.

Board of Directors

Our Directors bring a wealth of experience in education, finance, business and Catholic community leadership.

Colin Rand

Colin Rand

Chair, Foundation Director

Colin was part of the working group that explored the formation of the Trust and was appointed a Director on its incorporation. Previously a governor at St Agatha's Primary School (2015–2022), including Chair of the Finance and Audit committee and Chair of Governors. A Management Consultant by profession, he spent 17 years at global firm A.T. Kearney focused on Telecoms and Technology, and is currently Global Head of Consulting for cyber security firm NCC Group PLC.

Deborah Harper

Deborah Harper

Director

Following a career as a Chartered Accountant and Finance Director in the IT industry, Deborah retrained as a primary teacher. Since then she has held a variety of roles including Headteacher, Executive Headteacher, Deputy Director of the Surrey Maths Hub and School Improvement Lead. She currently works as Deputy CEO and Director of Primary Education for the Xavier Catholic Education Trust, and is committed to helping our schools deliver the best possible Catholic education.

Jenny Cairns

Jenny Cairns

Foundation Director

Jenny joined the Trust Board after a career as an education professional in a range of settings in different parts of the country, initially as a teacher and then education officer working for local authorities. In the final stages of her career she was Chief Education Officer and Director of Leisure and Libraries Services for a London local authority before joining the private sector in order to lead intervention teams into failing LEAs on behalf of the DfE. An active member of the Sacred Heart parish Wimbledon, her particular interest is Special Educational Needs.

Phillip Hedger

Phillip Hedger

Foundation Director

Phillip has been CEO of the LEO Academy Trust since its formation in 2015, having held roles from teaching assistant through to Executive Headteacher. He is a senior partner in Challenge Partners, a Freeman of the Worshipful Company of Educators, a Fellow of the Chartered College of Teaching, and a member of the Teaching & Learning Group at LGfL. He specialises in MAT leadership, school improvement, PedTech and assistive technology, and is Chair of Trustees for the Sutton United Foundation.

Luke Kundomal

Luke Kundomal

Director

Luke joined the Board in 2025, bringing over 15 years of experience in senior retail leadership and strategic development. Currently Store Strategy & Development Lead for John Lewis, he specialises in physical estate strategy, managing significant annual investments and complex refurbishment programmes. With a background in Building Surveying and PRINCE2 project management, he offers the Board expert oversight in infrastructure, capital planning and risk management.

Noel McEvilly

Noel McEvilly

Foundation Director

Noel moved to the UK from Ireland in 1988 and has lived in Worcester Park since 1994. After fourteen years in IT within banking, he founded Brontide Limited in 2005, specialising in data infrastructure and commercial electrical installations. An active member of St Matthias Parish, he is a Foundation Governor and Vice Chair at St Mary's Catholic High School Croydon, Co-Chair of resources at The John Fisher School, and a Trustee and Chair of the Richard Challoner School PTA.

Nathan Walters

Nathan Walters

Director

Nathan is Executive Headteacher of the Grand Union Multi Academy Trust in West London and Headteacher of Featherstone High School. Previously Headteacher of Thomas More Catholic School, Purley, he has spent a career in high-performing church schools. He holds a Master's in Contemporary Catholic Theology from the University of London and a Certificate in Catholic School Leadership from St Mary's University Twickenham. He is also a governor at St Joseph's Catholic Primary School in Epsom.

Fr Richard Whinder

Fr Richard Whinder

Director

Father Richard was born in Bromley, Kent, and educated at Good Shepherd Primary School and Bonus Pastor Secondary School. He read History at King's College London before studying for the Priesthood at the Venerable English College in Rome, and was ordained in 2001. After various appointments in Kent and South London, he is currently Parish Priest of Holy Ghost Balham and a Foundation Governor of Holy Ghost Primary School.

John Conway

John Conway

CEO, ex officio

John Conway leads the Trust with a deep commitment to Catholic education and a passion for ensuring every child reaches their full potential. Under his leadership, the Trust has grown rapidly and continues to build its reputation for excellence.

Governance Documents

Key governance documents are available for public inspection. Contact us if you require any additional information.

Board Director’s Declarations of Interest 2025/2026PDFAnnual Reports & AccountsOur audited financial statements and annual reports, filed with Companies House.PDFArticles of associationPDFGovernors’ Code of Conduct PolicyThe code of conduct governing the responsibilities and behaviour of our Trustees and governors.PDF

Board Members — Attendance at Meetings

Attendance at Meetings 2025/2026A record of board member attendance at meetings during the 2025/26 academic year.PDFAttendance at Meetings 2024/2025PDF

Funding Agreements

Funding Agreements9 FILES
CtRCET Master Funding AgreementPDFSt Agatha’s Catholic Primary School – Master Funding AgreementPDFSt Osmund’s Catholic Primary School – Supplemental Funding AgreementPDFOur Lady Immaculate Catholic Primary – Supplemental Funding AgreementPDFSt Elizabeth’s Catholic Primary School – Supplemental Funding AgreementPDFSt Joseph’s Catholic Primary School – Supplemental Funding AgreementPDFCorpus Christi Catholic Primary School – Supplemental Funding AgreementPDFSacred Heart Catholic Primary School – Supplemental Funding AgreementPDFRichard Challoner School – Supplemental Funding AgreementPDF

Scheme of delegation

Scheme of delegationDOC

Terms of reference

Terms of reference3 FILES
Finance, Audit and Risk CommitteePDFEducation Standards and Catholic Life CommitteePDFPay & Executive Remuneration CommitteePDF