Board of Trustees
The Trustees are responsible for the same three core governance functions performed by the governing body in a maintained school: setting the strategic direction, holding senior school leadership to account and overseeing the Trust’s financial performance.
Each school in the MAT has its own local governing body, which considers issues relevant to the individual school.
Trustees are ultimately responsible and accountable for the Trust. It’s up to them to make sure the Trust is compliant with its charitable objectives, but also with company and charity law. Trustees are both company directors and charity trustees as academies have the legal status of both company and charitable trust.
The term of office for Trustees is 4 years
Mr Julian Crane | Ex-officio Chair of Trustees
First appointed 8 November 2017 by the Members
08/11/2025 ~ 07/11/2029
Chair of Trustees since November 2021. Previously Vice-Chair of Trustees, Chair of Audit Committee and Chair of Resources Committee.
Actively involved in school governance since 2009. Prior to becoming a trustee, Julian was Chair of Governors at Grove Road Primary School.
Currently, Director of Assurance & Risk Management at Alight Solutions, a $3bn turnover business transformation partner, providing health, wealth and payroll solutions to 4,300 clients globally.
Qualified Chartered Accountant and Pension Trustee.
Mr Robin Spencer | Vice Chair
First appointed 13 July 2021 by the Members
16/11/2025 ~ 15/11/2029
Prior to retiring was a solicitor and partner in the law firm Hogan Lovells (formerly Lovells) he was a partner for 17 years and for 10 of those years led the Business Restructuring and Insolvency Group worldwide. For three years he sat on the Partnership Council of Lovells (2007-10) which was the governing body of the partnership.
After retiring Robin obtained an MSc from UCL in archaeology and volunteered in his local Citizens Advice Bureau. His BA degree in law was awarded by the University of Cambridge (Pembroke College).
Mrs Sally Ambrose
Bio to be added
Mr Joe Baker
Appointed 28 February 2025 by Trust Board
28/02/2025 ~ 27/02/2029
Clerk and Director of the Greater London Lieutenancy for over 10 years, supporting the Lord-Lieutenant in conducting his duties on behalf of HM The King in the capital.
A communications professional by background, with experience of working in and around Westminster, Whitehall and the City of London.
Former governor of two lower schools in Bedfordshire.
Ms Gill Budgell
First appointed 13 July 2021 by the Members
16/11/2025 ~ 15/11/2029
Extensive experience in the education sector including teaching, advising, governance and commercial educational publishing with particular areas of expertise in Early Years and Primary Language.
Director of Frattempo Ltd. since 1998, Gill offers global consultancy services to educational publishers supporting and advising on matters of policy, strategy and new product development in both EdTech and traditional publishing. She is a long-standing judge for national resource awards as well as an experienced presenter and published author.
Gill has previously governed in Berkhamsted and Tring across primary and secondary schools and she continues to be a Trustee of a local MAT in Buckinghamshire too.
Broad experience and valuable networks ensure that Gill brings creative perspectives and realistic solutions to the challenges of MAT governance.
Mr Julian Cacchioli
First appointed 29 January 2026 by the Members
01/02/2026 ~ 31/01/2030
Julian is currently vice president, public affairs EMEA & APAC for Herbalife, a global $billion nutrition and wellness company. With more than 30 years in international corporate affairs, defining and executing high-profile, complex reputation strategies that intersect multiple stakeholders across a broad spectrum of industry sectors, Julian brings specific expertise in strategic communications, advocacy/engagement, issues management and C-level counsel.
Julian has been actively involved in local school governance for a number of years, most recently as Chair of Governors at Grove Road Primary School.
Miss Daisy Cave
First appointed 2 May 2024 by the Members
02/05/2024 ~ 01/05/2029
Daisy is an experienced primary educator and senior leader committed to inclusion for all. With a rich teaching background in Manchester, Slough, and Hertfordshire, she has a strong focus on safeguarding, pupil premium, and equity.
Currently undertaking a PhD in Education, her research delves into the lived experiences of primary school children with physical disabilities. As the founder of a local charity deeply embedded in the community, she is a proud Tring School alumna dedicated to enhancing outcomes for the young people of Tring.
Now part of the largest Ed Tech and primary educational publishing company in the UK, Daisy leverages her extensive network of thought leaders to drive innovation in education.
Mrs Rosemarie Egglesfield
First appointed 3 October 2025 by the Members
03/10/2025 ~ 02/10/2029
Head of Impact Development at Seismic, a Sustainability Partner helping businesses to make meaningful change. A specialist in consumer brands and professional services, she supports Exec teams and Boards to navigate complex sustainability frameworks and disclosures, whilst embedding strategies that deliver both impact and value.
Combined with over 20 years global experience at ExxonMobil in commercial leadership, supply chain and sustainability, Ro brings strong governance and strategic expertise.
New to school governance, she is excited to apply this experience - bringing fresh perspectives, embracing challenges, and working collectively to achieve the best outcomes for students, the community and the planet.
Mr James Shapland
First appointed 9 December 2021 by the Members
16/11/2025 ~ 15/11/2029
James Shapland is a serving headteacher at a large Local Authority, maintained secondary school. Prior to working in education James worked for a construction technology company, after which he trained as a science teacher. He has extensive experience in school leadership roles.
Mrs Lorraine Slade | Chief Financial Officer in attendance
Qualified as a Chartered Accountant working for a top 5 audit firm in London. After spending nearly 6 years in audit, moved to a stockbroker working in their internal audit department. Subsequently worked for a TV production company as Group Financial Controller across Europe.
Joined Grove Road as Finance Manager in 2016, later becoming Finance Manager for RLP. Appointed CFO in November 2023.