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 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 Partnerships Lead
  Carole Hornsby

  I have worked in a range of schools all with varying demographics 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 & Operations Manager
  Rebecca Byrne

  I joined Maritime as Executive Assistant (EA) and Marketing Lead for the Trust before progressing to Marketing & 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 7 years. In my earlier career I worked as a PA in a global recruitment business and for Sport England.

• Sarah Ryan
  Education Lead (Early Years 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 moved into a Trustwide 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 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 and Mental Health 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 SENCo's 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 will be 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 will 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 five years. I have been on maternity leave for the last year after having my daughter, Ophelia. My new role is a change from the last 15 years but I am looking forward to a different challenge.

• Rob McCormick
  Regional Estate Lead
  Rob McCormick

  Rob is Regional Estate Lead, supporting various schools across the Maritime Academy Trust from Medway to Greenwich, having previously worked in manufacturing and production environments.

• Jane Raggett
  Regional Estate Lead
  Jane Raggett

  I moved to Medway in the 90s from London where I worked in Business Management. I began working at Featherby Junior School in 2000 as a dinner lady and TA, followed by
  HLTA, premises assistant and premises manager which lead to my current role as Regional Estates Lead.

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

  My name is Emmet, I am originally from Ireland and I am now living in London. I have been working for the Maritime Academy Trust since July 2021 and I am now working as a Regional Estates Lead.

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

  Hello! I'm Katie-Louise, I am a proud mum of two children. I have recently joined Maritime Academy Trust as a Community Engagement and Innovation Officer. I'm really looking forward to growing in my role and using my creative side to develop exciting projects.

• 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 since 2014.

  I love to be organized 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 where I 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 the past 20 years I am now excited to join the Martime Central Finance Team supporting the 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

  I work in the central team as an Assistant Finance Manager and this is my 4th year in the Maritime Academy Trust. I previously did an apprenticeship at Featherby before moving to Ebbsfleet Green last year as an Academy Administrator. I then joined Maritime's finance team in 2022.

• Adam Champion
  Purchase Ledger Supervisor
  Adam Champion

  Born and raised locally in Gillingham, I attended Barnsole school where my mother still works to this day. Now part of the finance team for the Maritime Academy Trust, I'm enjoying being able to support the next generation of students.

• Lisa Mattock
  Finance Officer
  Lisa Mattock

  I have recently joined the Trust's Finance Department as Finance Officer after previously working in the Banking and Managed Customer Services sector for many years. I am excited to become part of the team and look forward to supporting my colleagues across the Trust.

• Paula Carter
  Finance Officer
  Paula Carter

  I have worked in Early Years and Primary settings for the past 13 years.

  My favourite thing to do is to spend time with my family, and watching my two sons play football. I'm looking forward to starting my journey with the Maritime Academy Trust and being part of the Finance team.

• Bobby Morgan
  Assistant Accountant Apprentice
  Bobby Morgan

  I have joined the Maritime Academy Trust as an assistant accountant apprentice after having worked 2 part time jobs being a waiter and food and beverage assistant, alongside completing a year and a half of sixth form studying Mathematics, Biology and PE.

• Luke Webster
  Assistant Accountant Apprentice
  Luke Webster

  I have just joined the Trust after finishing my A-levels whilst doing a part time job as a Marshal. I like sports, mainly football and listening to music.

• Nicki Young
  HR Operations Manager
  Nicki Young

  I have over 25 years’ 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, supporting staff with their payroll and pensions queries.

• 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 Generalist
  Amy Tivers

  I recently joined the HR team as an administrator apprentice helping the rest of the HR team out on their daily jobs. Before this I worked in multiple retail stores such as River Island and Boots for almost 3 years whilst I was in sixth form at Longfield Academy studying Business, Sociology and Criminology at A-Levels. I have started my Level 5 and have undertaken the role as HR Generalist.

• Megan Walsh
  HR Administration Assistant
  Megan Walsh

  I have recently joined the HR team as a HR Administration Assistant after graduating from my Psychology degree earlier this year. I love to dance and I have competed across the country with my best friends, which I really enjoyed!

• 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. I have two children and a very lively Labradoodle called Chester.