Central Trust Team
Angela Holdsworth - MBE
Chief Executive Officer
Angela is the CEO of The Sea View Trust, an all-age inclusive Multi Academy Trust (MAT). She has extensive school Leadership experience across a number of Local Authorities and, in addition to her CEO role, she enjoys undertaking strategic partnership work, including being actively involved in a number of Special Educational Needs and Disability (SEND) based initiatives. Angela is an experienced and a high-profile Leader of SEND. Her focus is to champion the disadvantaged, whilst remaining passionate about the ‘inclusive agenda’, and she provides independent advice and guidance for inclusive system improvement. Angela is a staunch advocate for the self-improving school-led system, inclusion and cross-phase collaboration, and has been working with North West partners for many years to develop this. Furthermore, she remains highly committed to developing all staff, including identifying and supporting future leaders, whilst also championing the ‘Women in Leadership’ agenda. As a passionate Leader of SEND, Angela’s significant contribution to this field of education was recognised by the award of an MBE in the New Year Honours List 2022.
Andrew Hurley
School Improvement Lead
Andrew has worked in a range of leadership roles in the primary education sector for the past 33 years. This has included experience of working in four different schools, eight years as a headteacher, four years as a Lancashire primary adviser and four years in higher education developing Initial Teacher Training at the University of Cumbria. Andrew’s professional qualifications include the National Professional Qualification for Headteachers (NPQH), School Improvement Partner accreditation and a PgC in Learning & Teaching for Higher Education. His previous role before joining the central team was Deputy Headteacher at Anchorsholme Academy in Blackpool, a member school of The Sea View Trust. During this time, he jointly founded a successful School Direct programme and continues to deliver National Professional Qualifications for Senior Leaders (NPQSL). He has been a school governor for over 30 years including a period as Chair of Governors at a school in Preston. He is currently Vice-chair of Governors and safeguarding governor at Westminster Academy in Blackpool, Chair of Directors at Valley College and a Trustee of the Fylde Coast Academy Trust (FCAT).
Laura Watts
Chief Financial Officer
Laura is the Chief Financial Officer at the Trust. She is a qualified Chartered Accountant, with over 15 years experience working in finance. She started her career working for Blackpool Council, providing financial support across all areas including corporate services, public health, social care and education. She managed the Blackpool Council school finance team, providing strategic advice and guidance to maintained schools in Blackpool, and also providing accountancy services to a multi academy trust. Laura has also worked for the NHS as a Management Accountant. At The Sea View Trust, Laura is responsible for managing the financial position of the trust, including maintaining financial probity, ensuring compliance with the Academy Trust Handbook, completion of statutory returns including the Annual report and Financial Statements, and supporting schools to maximise funding and ensure efficient use of resources.
Nicola Chester
Chief Operating Officer
Nicola is the Chief Operating Officer at the Trust. She has 30 years experience in education, and started her career working for the education department of Lancashire County Council. The latter years at LCC she worked in the schools finance department, and was a named finance officer for a group of around 30 schools. In 2002 she moved into a school setting as a Business Manager. She has 20 years experience in schools, working at three different high schools and a special school as School Business Manager. She project managed two schools' academy conversions and was instrumental in the creation of a new MAT in Blackburn, where she was part of the pre-opening team for a new special free school in Blackpool. Nicola joined The Sea View Trust in June 2021 and is responsible for managing all operational aspects including HR management, growth projects, IT, catering, estates, resources, risk, health and safety, marketing and communications. Nicola is a qualified accounting technician and holds both the CSBM and DSBM qualifications, and the CIPFA Level 7 Diploma in School Financial and Operational Leadership.
Sam Drummond
Trust Business Lead
Sam is a Trust Business Lead, working closely with the COO and providing dedicated support and guidance to the Business and Finance Leads in our academies, whilst also working on Trust priorities. She has worked in education for over 20 years in various roles across a High School, Special School, and most recently for 10 years as the Business Manager at one of the Primary Academies in our Trust, where she managed their conversion to academy status. Sam is AAT qualified and holds the CSBM and CIPD qualifications. Sam joined the Central Team in September 2021.
Janice Heywood
Trust Business Lead
Janice is a Trust Business Lead, working closely with the COO and providing dedicated support and guidance to the Business and Finance Leads in our academies, whilst also working on Trust priorities. Janice has worked in the primary education sector for over 25 years, latterly as the Business Manager at one of the academies in our Trust, where she managed both the school and associated Children’s Centre finances and conversion to academy status. Janice holds the Professional Diploma in Accounting and holds the CSBM qualification. Janice joined the Trust Central team in September 2021.
Darren McGinnis
Trust IT Manager
Darren is the IT Manager of the Trust. He has over 23 years experience in education in both primary and secondary education. Darren has been the ICT Manager at one of the Trust schools, Anchorsholme Academy, for over 6 years. Previously he spent nearly 13 years working as an ICT Manager at a High School in Chorley, and prior to that he was a Primary ICT Technician at large High School in Poulton for 4 years. He has also been a staff Governor at Anchorsholme Academy, with various roles such as the Chair of the Finance, Audit, Resource and Risk (FARR) sub-committee, and a lead governor role in Safeguarding & Safer Recruitment.
Ian Tunbridge
Trust Management Accountant
Ian is the Trust Management Accountant. He has 20 years experience in education finance with Lancashire County Council. The last 17 years at LCC in the schools finance team, being named finance officer for around 20 schools with considerable experience gained from a varied and diverse mix of schools including large secondaries, all through special schools and large primary schools. He has been involved with many of the LCC school academy conversions including Tor View. Ian has previously gained other accountancy experience from 12 years of business ownership and other self employment business interests. Ian is AAT qualified and holds the CIPFA Financial Reporting for Academies qualification. Ian joined the Trust Central team in August 2023.
Fiona Evans
Executive Personal Assistant
Fiona has 18 years experience in education in various roles. She has worked for the last 12 years as a teacher in a large secondary school, teaching ICT and Computer Science. She has also worked for a short time in a special school. Fiona has lots of experience with SEND, previously working as a Teaching Assistant and later as Assistant SENDCo. She holds the CPT3A and NASENCO qualifications. Alongside her career in education she has worked doing administrative support for family businesses. Fiona joined the Central Team in September 2023 as Angela’s Executive PA.
Bethany Paliga
Data Protection Officer (via Forbes)
Bethany Paliga acts as The Sea View Trust's Data Protection Officer. Bethany works for Forbes Solicitors.