Steve’s role as NEAT CEO is to be accountable to the trust’s Board of Directors for all aspects of our school’s performance and the trust’s financial position.

Steve is a very experienced educator and leader. A Nottingham University physics graduate who completed his PGCE at the same university. Following a time in Surrey as a teacher and subject leader, he moved to the North East of England and pursued a career in financial services and the motor trade, including a time as a director of two companies. But his true passion for education and making a difference to the lives of young people was too much of
a draw.

Steve returned to teaching and worked in several Local Authority areas (Newcastle, North Tyneside, Sunderland and Gateshead). He has held senior leadership positions in education for the past 30 years, including headship in two large secondary schools and a CEO position.

Steve’s drive and passion for transforming the lives of young people made NEAT an irresistible opportunity to; nurture, educate, achieve and transform. He feels privileged to join an amazing and dedicated team.

Charles has worked in a senior leadership role in schools since 2010, being responsible for all aspects of financial, risk and estate management and a wide range of support services. Prior to this he worked in the private sector, being finance director for a venture capital backed publishing group, as well as setting up and running a business services company.

He has been an Associate Practitioner for the National Association of School Business Management and is a vice chair of governors at two primary schools. He has successfully completed the School Business Director programme with the National College for Teaching and Leadership and CIPFA’s financial reporting for academies programme.

Outside of work he enjoys walking his dogs in the beautiful north east countryside.