Meet the Team

Nick has dedicated his entire career to the education sector. A former head teacher, Nick not only understands the challenges and pressures that today’s school leadership teams face, but he is also committed to helping you overcome them.

Nick believes in unlocking the potential of every individual and every school he is involved with, improving standards, and creating opportunities. He is an entrepreneur and innovator. He is a founder member and Chairman of Education Mutual, Schools and Mutual Services. He is also Chairman of Constellia’s national procurement Council. His strategic vision led to the launch of Bishop Wilkinson Commercial Services and several innovative initiatives designed to support schools, improve services, and optimise educational budgets. Education Commercial Services (ECS) is an example of this. He also serves on a variety of high-profile committees and in addition to being CEO at BWCET he also serves as a Member at two Multi Academy Trusts within the North East .

In 2017, Nick was given the opportunity to combine his twin passion for football and education, as a Premier league Education Advisor. Nick’s services to education were recognised with an OBE in 2015.

Lucie has worked in the education sector for 26 years.  She has had extensive experience leading schools in different contexts and circumstances.  As a former primary executive headteacher,  Lucie understands the highs and lows of leadership and she is committed to supporting headteachers enabling them and their schools to flourish. 

Lucie has worked as an Ofsted inspector for 14 years. She also has considerable experience supporting schools in challenging situations and has worked as a school improvement partner for a number of local authorities.

Lucie is passionate about Catholic education and the role it plays in society.  She is committed to the vision of the Trust ensuring that everyone fulfils their academic potential, aspires highly and is optimistically ambitious. She is committed to ensuring that the talents of all are unlocked so that they can flourish and make a valued contribution to the world. 

Louise has worked in education for 12 years following almost 20 years in the Financial Services Sector, rising through the ranks to executive positions.  Switching to Education was the right move – working within the fast-paced Business and Finance team and using her vast financial and management experience to drive improvements, compliance, and operational practice.

Louise is a Specialist Leader of Education and a member of the DfE School Business Professional Advisory Panel and an accredited School Resource Management Advisor.

Louise is the Company Secretary of Bishop Wilkinson Catholic Education Trust and actively serves as Chair of Governors of an Outstanding Primary School and Chair of Members at a Secondary Academy.

Claire draws on experience of almost 30 years in education. She has significant senior leadership experience in both primary and secondary schools and across several local authority areas. She has been headteacher in two primary schools, including one judged outstanding under her leadership, and has a track record of improving schools in challenging circumstances.

Claire has held senior roles in two local authorities, where she had oversight of a wide range of services including primary and secondary school improvement functions and specialist SEND services and previously led a successful School Direct initial teacher training partnership.

Claire was previously a Senior His Majesty’s Inspector, holding a number of national and regional roles within Ofsted as a specialist adviser, including leading on safeguarding, governance and the development of policy and training related to MAT summary evaluations, as well as leading and quality assuring inspections of primary and secondary schools and initial teacher education.

Claire is passionate about the transformative power of high-quality Catholic education and ensuring that the highest ambitions are realised for all of our pupils through exceptional leadership.

Andrew has worked in Education for over 22 years in one of our trust secondary schools before moving to work within the Central ICT Team. He has also previously been a staff-governor so has a good solid knowledge of all areas of school life including human resources, finance and recruitment.

Andrew has supported a number of our primaries in his former role, providing ICT advice, guidance and support and now carries out the same role across all of our trust schools in Durham and Washington.

Andrew is looking forward to working closely with all schools across all phases within the trust helping with the strategic vision for IT ensuring forward thinking, value for money and most importantly the child’s learning is taken into account at all times.

Barbara is an experienced headteacher and executive headteacher and has a proven track record in primary school improvement. As Director of Ethos, she is responsible for the strategic leadership of the Catholic mission of the Trust.

Having taught across the primary age range and overseen the development of a range of subjects, Barbara became part of a local authority school improvement team, supporting settings and schools to secure improvements in outcomes for the youngest learners. She created and delivered professional development opportunities, including national programmes, for teachers. 

Throughout her career, Barbara has worked in schools with a faith character. In her current role, she works to sustain a culture where all can flourish. She supports school leaders to ensure that a Catholic ethos permeates all aspects of school life.

Barbara is a Diocesan recruitment advisor and a lead inspector for the Catholic School Inspectorate. 

Jacqui has worked in Governance for 25 years, starting her career as a Clerk in Newcastle, moving to Gateshead as Governor Service Lead and then to Durham as Training and Development Lead.

She has also worked as a school business manager in a Sunderland primary school, so has sound knowledge of school finance, operation and accountability to Governors.   She is a qualified assessor and internal verifier for NVQ and an accredited Safer Recruitment trainer.  She has served as a judge for the Teaching Awards and worked as a facilitator for the National Governance Association (NGA) leadership programmes. 

Jacqui serves as a Co-opted Governor at Dunston Hill Primary School in Gateshead and sits on the Finance Committee and is a Co-opted Governor, Vice Chair of the Governing Body and Chair of the Resources Committee at Bede Primary School, Gateshead.  She also sits on Gateshead’s Schools Forum. 

Julie’s experience within the education sector and public procurement more widely is extensive, spanning three decades. During her career she has been instrumental in education development across the public and private sector covering numerous categories, driving improvement, compliance, efficiency, and savings.

During that time Julie has remained a School Governor and is currently Chair for a Primary Academy, her knowledge and understanding firmly rooted in education. Julie’s background includes time with NEPO, YPO and CCS – giving her a unique insight into the procurement landscape and the variety of options available to schools.  

Lisa is a qualified CIMA management accountant with 23 years of experience at senior finance management level. She joined the Trust as a Finance Manager with St Thomas More, Blaydon in February 2018 and took on the role of CFO in January 2021. Prior to joining the Trust, she was self-employed for 8 years teaching enterprise education to Primary school pupils and before that she was a finance manager in the manufacturing industry.

She has been a Governor at her local maintained Primary school for 14 years providing financial expertise and gaining a broad knowledge of the wider education sector.

Upon her appointment to CFO, Lisa successfully went on to complete the CIPFA Level 7 Diploma in School Financial and Operational Leadership.