Our Central Team - Bios

Our Central Team...

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• Nick Osborne
  CEO
  Nick Osborne

  Throughout my more than 20 years as a teacher and leader, my focus on developing and motivating staff has led to the transformation of numerous schools.
  I was inspired to create Maritime because of my belief that the key to improving children's life chances is by always looking for ways to drive meaningful collaboration. With authentic collaboration, staff can share ideas, reduce workload and learn from each other, creating opportunities that will have a massively positive impact on the children and communities they serve.
  I have a passion for curriculum design that balances the knowledge and skills needed to prepare children for whatever comes next and getting the most educational impact possible with every available resource. I have three children and am a governor at my boys' school.

• Matthew Bulpitt
  Deputy CEO
  Matthew Bulpitt

  Having been a Headteacher since 2009 in three different schools in three different Local Authorities; I have championed the management of change and curriculum development through the professional development of leadership teams. As an Executive Headteacher within The Diocese of Southwark, I supported schools to build their leadership capacity and overall effectiveness. I was appointed Deputy CEO of Maritime in 2021 and look forward to working with the Headteachers, Central Team and Trustees to establish amazing outcomes for Maritime children.

• Susan Matheson
  Chief Operating Officer
  Susan Matheson

  I started my career as an economist in the Department for International Development in 2001, then moved to the Treasury in 2005 where I worked for 10 years. From 2015 I worked in the Department for Education as a Senior Civil Servant. I moved to Maritime in February 2018, initially on secondment for a year. But I enjoyed it so much I agreed to stay as a permanent member of staff!

• Louise Mitchell
  Chief Financial Officer
  Louise Mitchell

  I have worked in finance for nearly 20 years, starting my career at a global stockbrokers. Following a career break, I joined Barnsole Primary School in 2015 as an administrative assistant and soon progressed to Office Manager and Finance Officer. I then took on the challenge of Financial Controller for Barnsole Primary Trust and I am now Chief Financial Officer for Maritime Academy Trust.

• Sharon Looker
  HR Director
  Sharon Looker

  I am an experienced HR leader with 25 years of experience in ER, as a Generalist and as a Consultant in the private sector, and within education. I love working with schools as I can see the HR support my team provides has a positive impact on employees, and as a result, this has a positive impact on children.

• Carole Hornsby
  Education Director and Safeguarding Lead
  Carole Hornsby

  I have worked in a range of schools all with varying demographics and with judgements from Special Measures through to Outstanding. I moved into my Trust role in September 2018 and absolutely love working across such a range of schools and offering support to colleagues to keep ensuring we provide the very best for children.

• Rebecca Byrne
  Marketing and Operations Manager
  Rebecca Byrne

  I joined Maritime as Executive Assistant (EA) and Marketing Lead for the Trust before progressing to Marketing and Operations Manager. Prior to joining Maritime, I worked as a Board Level EA and Senior Operations Executive for a global Executive Search firm in London for seven years. In my earlier career, I worked as a PA in a global recruitment business and for Sport England.

• Sarah Ryan
  Education Lead (EYFS Specialism)
  Sarah Ryan

  I trained as a teacher when I left school and have worked in various primary schools since. My key driver is for all children to have an opportunity to thrive, especially young children. During the many years of my career in schools, I have held various leadership roles, and in 2018 gained Specialist Leader of Education status. I then moved into a Trust-wide leadership role with responsibility for early years and the adventure continues with Maritime.

• Omar Jennings
  Education Lead (Maths Specialism)
  Omar Jennings

  I am a passionate teacher who has been fortunate enough to become a headteacher at Nightingale Primary. Along the way, I developed a passion for teaching and learning Mathematics and became an NCETM Maths Specialist Teacher, Professional Development Lead and Headteacher Advocate.

• Mike Gardner
  Education Lead (Teaching and Learning)
  Mike Gardner

  With over 10 years of experience in education, I am a curious and inquisitive teacher with a passion for maths, reading and hybrid learning. I have supported teaching and learning within my school and will now be leading on teacher development across the Trust. My aim is to enable all teaching staff to be confident in using research-based pedagogy in the classroom.

• Mitchell Elliott
  Education Lead (Assessment)
  Mitchell Elliott

  My name is Mitchell and I am the Deputy Headteacher at Bligh Primary School. My role in
  Maritime Academy Trust's ERT team is Assessment Lead. My main responsibilities include
  ensuring there is a consistent approach to assessment to enable accurate comparisons to be made between schools; sharing important statutory assessment information and working with the trust to analyse school data to drive school improvement.

• Ruth Ottley
  SEND Lead
  Ruth Ottley

  Since starting teaching, I have always had a particular passion for ensuring that children with special educational needs are able to thrive and succeed in their schools . I completed the National Award for Special Educational Needs Coordinators in 2015 and am the SENCO at Greenacres and Ebbsfleet Green Primary Schools. Alongside this, I work with our amazing team of SENCOs across Maritime. I am currently completing a Masters in Special and Inclusive Education with the Institute of Education.

• Amy Eccles
  Trust CPD Lead
  Amy Eccles

  My role is to lead and manage the CPD pathways, ensure digital learning is prominent in schools and to strategically develop the trust’s CPD content matrix. As the trust DSL, I work with the DSLs in Trust schools and support headteachers with safeguarding compliance. I started my teaching career at Timbercroft Primary and worked there for 10 years as Deputy Head and Inclusion Manager, before leaving to become Headteacher of Featherby Infant and Featherby Junior School for the next five years. My current role is a change from the past 15 years but I am relishing the new challenge.

• Jane Raggett
  Regional Estates Manager
  Jane Raggett

  I moved to Medway from London in the 90s, where I worked in Business Management. I began working at Featherby Junior School in 2000 as a Midday Supervisor and Teaching Assistant, followed by
  HLTA, Premises Assistant and then Premises Manager, which led to my current role as Regional Estates Manager.

• Emmet O'Neill
  Regional Estates Manager
  Emmet O'Neill

  I'm Emmet and am originally from Ireland but now live in London. I have been working for Maritime Academy Trust since July 2021 and am currently in the position of Regional Estates Manager.

• Katie-Louise Lawrence
  Community Engagement and Innovation Officer
  Katie-Louise Lawrence

  Hello! I'm Katie-Louise - a proud mum of two children and the Community Engagement and Innovation Officer at Maritime. I love working so closely with school communities, and using my creative side to develop exciting and enriching events.

• Janet Finch
  Finance Operations Manager
  Janet Finch

  I am a Finance Operations Manager based in the Finance Central team. Previously, I was the School Business Manager for Timbercroft Primary School, which I joined in 2004. I love to be organised and enjoy spending lots of time with my family and friends.

• Keiran Humphreys
  Finance Manager
  Keiran Humphreys

  After a year of travelling the world, I found myself working in a school in Northfleet with a Social Media Apprenticeship. Upon completion, I moved to Barnsole School in an admin role. On conversion to Barnsole Primary Trust, I moved to the finance team and have never looked back! I am now a Finance Manager for Maritime.

• Lesley Colbert
  Finance Manager
  Lesley Colbert

  Having worked as a School Business Manager for 20 years, I am now part of the Martime Central Finance Team supporting schools within the Trust. In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my family, going to the theatre and travelling - both city breaks and beach holidays.

• Frankie Morgan
  Assistant Finance Manager
  Frankie Morgan

  After completing an apprenticeship at Featherby, I moved to Ebbsfleet Green as Academy Administrator. I'm now Assistant Finance Manager at Maritime.

• Lisa Mattock
  Finance Officer
  Lisa Mattock

  I joined the Trust's Finance Department as Finance Officer after previously working in the Banking and Managed Customer Services sector for many years. I enjoy working as part of a team and supporting my colleagues across Maritime.

• Paula Carter
  Finance Officer
  Paula Carter

  Prior to joining Maritime's Finance Department, I worked in Early Years and Primary settings for 13 years.

  In my spare time, I love spending time with my family and watching my two sons play football.

• Bobby Morgan
  Assistant Accountant Apprentice
  Bobby Morgan

  I joined Maritime Academy Trust as an Assistant Accountant Apprentice after having worked two part-time jobs while studying Mathematics, Biology and PE in Sixth Form.

• Luke Webster
  Assistant Accountant Apprentice
  Luke Webster

  I joined the Trust after finishing my A-levels and working part-time. I like sports - particularly football - and listening to music.

• Nicki Young
  HR Operations Manager
  Nicki Young

  I have over 25 years of experience working in HR, mostly within the education sector. I am passionate about supporting educational professionals to develop effective leadership in schools, thus helping our young people to reach their potential.

• Sarah Saunders
  Payroll and Pensions Manager
  Sarah Saunders

  I have worked in Payroll all my working life, paying education staff within KCC and Medway for 32 years. I really enjoy being part of a team, ensuring salaries are paid accurately and on time, and supporting staff with their payroll and pensions queries.

• Chantelle Pearce
  Payroll and Pensions Assistant
  Chantelle Pearce

  After 11 years spent working in the banking sector, I made the decision to start a family and become a stay-at-home parent. During my sons' younger years, I volunteered at their schools, relishing the opportunity to be part of their education. Now my children are older, I'm enjoying turning more of my attention back to my career.

• Julie Jones
  Recruitment Advisor
  Julie Jones

  I work for the Trust as a Recruitment Advisor and joined Maritime from Medway Council, where I worked within the Schools HR Team, assisting Medway schools with their recruitment. I have worked for a number of years in School Recruitment, especially promoting teaching opportunities. I like walking, reading and anything to do with crafts!

• Amy Tivers
  HR Schools Partner
  Amy Tivers

  I joined the HR team as an Administrator Apprentice and am currently HR Schools Partner. Before this, I worked in multiple retail stores whilst I studied Business, Sociology and Criminology A-Levels. I am now working towards my Level 5 qualification in HR.

• Megan Walsh
  HR Schools Partner
  Megan Walsh

  I joined the HR team as an HR Administration Assistant after studying Psychology at university and am now HR Schools Partner. I love to dance and have competed across the country with my best friends, which I really enjoyed!

• Kelly Powell
  HR Schools Partner
  Kelly Powell

  After 15 years in banking, I had a career change in 2013 to follow my passion for Human Resources. I have worked in HR ever since, gaining experience across all aspects of HR within the public and education sector. I have a keen interest in empowering individuals to achieve their full potential, love working as part of a team, and enjoy taking on a new challenge in order to learn new skills.

• Kerry Foster-Kilshaw
  Administration Assistant
  Kerry Foster-Kilshaw

  I joined Maritime Academy Trust as Administration Assistant following ten years spent in various primary schools as a Teaching Assistant. Previously, I have worked on a leading health and beauty magazine, and written for a number of publications and websites.

• Jo Barraclough
  Trust Admin Lead
  Jo Barraclough

  I have over 15 years of experience working in schools and understand how critical the school office is to how the school operates and is perceived, as it is our 'shop-front' to the community. I am committed to empowering school administrators to optimise the way they use their skills and technology; to collaborate and share their best practice and ideas, and to help leadership, teachers, parents and the wider community support our children to thrive.

• Mel Melvin
  Fundraising Lead for the Maritime Children's Foundation
  Mel Melvin

  During my career, I have worked across a variety of industries including travel, construction and office management, as well as volunteering as the chairperson and treasurer for the PTA at my daughter's school. The Fundraising Lead position for the Maritime Children's Foundation (MCF) appealed to me as it's been incredibly important to me personally that we can help the children in our community thrive and succeed. My role at the MCF will allow me to expand this throughout the Maritime schools.