Alan has been a school governor since 2007, serving on the Governing Body of Northgate High School as Chair (2008-13 and 2016-2017) and Vice-Chair (2013-2015). He regards his role as a school governor as the opportunity to give back something to the education system that helped him and his family. He is a Member and Trustee of Unity Education Trust and was Chair of Trustees 2017-2020

He is a member of the Finance and Audit Committee and Standards Committee, and a co-opted governor/link trustee with some of UET schools. He was a senior manager at the University of East Anglia and, following his retirement, continues as a part-time administrative consultant to a research institute affiliated to the University. His voluntary work includes serving as the Chair and Treasurer of the Dereham-based Kickstart Norfolk which is the largest moped “wheels to work” charity in the country.

Michael’s career has been in secondary school teaching and leadership. He was Principal of Wayland Academy Norfolk (2002-2014) and Watton Junior Academy Norfolk (2013-15). He was Executive Principal TEN group (2014-15) where he worked alongside secondary and primary academies to enable effective review of student/pupil progress and outcomes, supporting leaders and senior leadership teams.

Although now retired he undertakes some school improvement work on a consultancy basis and views it as a privilege to work and support those who enable young people to achieve highly regardless of barriers and social circumstances. He is an Associate of Viscount Nelson Education Network, a Trustee of Dereham Baptist Church and a member of the volunteer support group Dementia Friendly Dereham. Michael is Chair of UET Standards Committee and the Link Trustee to Beeston Primary School.

I have served as a governor in many schools in Norfolk for the past 30 years, including as an LA Additional Governor for Schools of Concern, and as a Trustee on various MAT Boards.

I am an accountant by profession and am employed by Norfolk County Council as Head of Education Finance, leading the Education Finance & Business Services Team, supporting schools and academies with budgeting, financial management and business services across Norfolk and beyond.

I am a Trustee and Treasurer of several Charities including being Chair of my local Fuel Allotment Charity and Treasurer of my local Church PCC.

My son and daughter-in-law were educated in Norfolk schools, and my grandchildren are now thriving in the same system. This gives me the passion to ensure our schools attain the highest standards possible for all our young people to give them the very best start in life.

I joined the Royal Air Force in January 1992 after attending King Edward the VII High School and 6th Form in King’s Lynn. I served at various units in the UK before being medically discharged from the Royal Air Force in March 2014.

Whilst serving I particularly enjoyed mentoring the new recruits and developing their personal and professional skills, enabling full and rewarding careers. By the end of my career I was instructing within my trade across the East of England. My wife works as a TA in a primary school in King’s Lynn and we have a son, who attends Churchill Park Complex Needs Academy (CPA).

I became a school governor at CPA in 2012 and Chair of Governors in 2017. I look forward to being part of Unity Education Trust and facilitating the development of its settings.

Richard’s early career started in farm management, with positions overseas and in
management at the Blenheim Palace estate, before re-training to become a Teacher at the University of Oxford. He worked as Head of Biology at St Augustine’s Upper School in Oxford before moving to Norfolk as Head of Science then Assistant Headteacher and Director of the Training School at Notre Dame High School in Norwich.
After 8 years there, he was appointed Headteacher at Archbishop Sancroft High School in Harleston in 2008, becoming Executive Headteacher in 2019.
During his tenure, the school was judged Outstanding in its 2017 SIAMS inspection and in their 2013 Ofsted report, inspectors commented “The headteacher provides
inspirational leadership and sets high expectations for the performance of the school.”
Richard is a Director of the Diocese of Norwich Education Services Company
(DoNESC).

Professional Footballer 2019-2021,

Chief Executive Officer at Bobby Copping Foundation 2021-now,

Women’s General Manager/Head of Schools Initiative/Academy coach at Peterborough United 2021-now,

Personal Development Mentor at League Football Education 2021-now.