Ingignis Academy Trust

The Trust Board (ID 1260)

• Gaynor Bull
  Chair of Trustees
  Gaynor Bull

  Originally qualifying as an engineer, I subsequently moved into the finance industry, working for a large retail bank in multiple roles across both commercial and personal banking.

  My interest in the educational sector flourished as my three children progressed through the school system and ultimately to further education. I also worked as a Pre-School Bursar for 10 years and became a school governor in 2000.

  I have 20+ years' experience of primary governance, 10+ years' experience of secondary governance and have been the Chair of Insignis Academy Trust since July 2016.

  My ambition for IAT is to be known as the Trust that has made a difference to local education in Buckinghamshire, with high aspirations for all, equipping our students well for success in the adult world whatever their chosen path.

• Emma Gregory
  Trustee
  Emma Gregory

  Emma works in UK Government Strategy at The Prince’s Trust, engaging across government departments and related partners to support young people, including those most disadvantaged, across the country to engage with education, employment and enterprise.

  Prior to this, Emma led Academy Ambassadors which was funded by the Department for Education. This national programme provided transformational governance solutions to the boards of academy trusts throughout England by matching, then supporting, senior leaders from business and the professions to pro bono non-executive director/trustee board roles.

  Emma is passionate about supporting children and young people and has over ten years’ experience volunteering on school and trust governing boards. She is currently non-executive director/trustee at the charity, Governors for School.

• Nicolette Habgood
  Trustee
  Nicolette Habgood

  With a PhD in science I spent time in research before moving to The Open University as an academic and a manager. I wrote and taught a number of science courses and led on 2 significant change management projects when the university was consolidating it’s regional presence.

  I am a mental health Act manager for Oxford Mental Health Trust and a Trustee for Lord Fortescue’s Charity, a local village charity. I have 2 sons, both educated at Aylesbury Grammar School where I was a parent governor.

  As an IAT trustee I want all students within our schools to do as well as they can in whatever sphere that maybe. I passionately believe that education should provide opportunities and the chance to excel for all.

• Mark Hardy
  Vice Chair of Trustees
  Mark Hardy

  I am a solicitor who worked in private practice in Jersey and London before moving in to the pharmaceutical industry in 1992 and where I still work as a consultant managing pension schemes.

  I am also a non-executive director of a number of companies. The rest of my time I devote to work with charities, educational and sporting organisations. I am a Deputy Lieutenant of Bedfordshire. I have developed my passion for education through becoming a governor of Sir Henry Floyd Grammar School when it became an Academy and have been a director of IAT since it was established in 2016.

• Jane Holliday
  Trustee
  Jane Holliday

  My career has been spent in Human Resources and I have operated in a range of environments from large scale FMCG, food and technology businesses to software consultancy/professional services and smaller organisations in manufacturing. My last role was as HR Director in FMCG.

  Both my two children have been through secondary education in Buckinghamshire and I am very aware of the need to provide all children, of whatever ability and background, with exposure to the full range of opportunities secondary education can and should deliver.

  Ensuring we enable our students to find their place in society as well rounded, confident individuals who are equipped to reach their potential, is one of my key drivers in joining the Insignis Academy Trust.

• Gillian Shurrock
  Trustee
  Gillian Shurrock

  I worked as Head of SEND for almost 20 years, first at a Local University then for several Local Authorities where I developed a deep understanding of the needs of the education provider and their families.

  Being recently retired I can dedicate my time and share my experience to the benefit of others.

  I participate in voluntary work with children and young people with SEND who have equine therapy, which is a great passion of mine and help them navigate the complex SEN systems.

  As an IAT Trustee I will continue my passion to provide equal educational opportunities for all children and young people in our local community.

• Paul Thomas
  Trustee
  Paul Thomas

  CBE DL

  After a career in the Royal Air Force, I retired locally as an Air Commodore in 2007 to work in higher education as the Chief Operating Officer at Brunel University London until 2020. My five children attended a variety of educational institutions, including boarding schools, and my youngest studied at PRS before going to university in September 2020 .I am married to a former primary headteacher and educational adviser, and education has been a constant throughout my life; the availability of a high-quality provision for all is something that I value. I very much hope to contribute to the work and development of the Trust, and it is very pleasing to do so in the Aylesbury area, where my family lived for many years.

• Emma Wright
  Trustee
  Emma Wright

  Emma lives locally in Monks Risborough with her husband who is a primary school teacher, and two children who spent 7 years at Princes Risborough School (PRS). She was a PRS Governor for 7 years, with the last 5 as Chair and was proud to work alongside the school on its improvement journey, resulting in a Good Ofsted rating in November 2022.

  Emma works full-time as Chief Medical Officer for a global medical device company and balances this with family life. Originally from the Northeast of England, Emma has a PhD from Newcastle University and spent 9 years working and living in the US, before returning to the UK in 2011 for her children to embark on their education.