Nichola Brannen
About Nichola
Coming from an educational background, Nichola has thirty years experience of school improvement, leadership models, governance and headship. Nichola is currently Executive Headteacher of a federation of two Church of England Schools.
What inspired you to become a governance volunteer?
Knowing the individual primary schools in the past (as a deputy head at one of the NEAT schools, and then as a School Improvement Consultant working across many of the primary schools to improve Literacy standards), Nichola was very familiar with the backgrounds, hardwork and commitment of the schools not only to their children but to their local communities, and hoped to be able to continue to help to make a collective difference years down the line, in a governance role within NEAT Academy Trust.
What are the benefits you get from being a governance volunteer?
As a governance volunteer, you get to support and challenge all of the schools at a strategic level, making decisions collectively to improve the life chances of all of the young people to enable them to flourish for the future.
In three words, how does being a governance volunteer make you feel?
Proud, Responsible and Enthused.
Fran Craik
Mercy Denedo
About Mercy
Mercy Denedo is an Associate Professor of Accounting at Durham University Business School. Her research examines how accounting and accountability can be used as a tool to amplify the voices of marginalised communities and strengthen stakeholder engagement. She is particularly interested in interdisciplinary research on sustainability, governance, accountability, and activism in both developed and developing countries, especially in contexts affected by social inequality, environmental degradation, and human rights challenges. She currently serves as an advisory board member for Addressing Domestic Abuse (ADA).
What inspired you to become a governance volunteer?
My decision to engage in governance volunteering stems naturally from my academic and professional commitment to social, governance, and environmental accountability, and my desire to help shape policy and practice. As a board member, I have served on the Trust’s Finance, Audit, and Risk Committee, contributing my expertise in governance and accountability. This role has enabled me to apply my academic knowledge and critical thinking skills in a practical setting to inform decision-making and promote effective, equitable outcomes within the Trust.
What are the benefits you get from being a governance volunteer?
Being a governance volunteer has enabled me to apply my expertise to enhance the effectiveness and accountability of the Trust. Serving on the board has also provided valuable opportunities to develop additional skills in strategic planning, control, and financial oversight. Most importantly, it has allowed me to contribute to shaping educational outcomes for the children in the Trust and to promote social equity for
both staff and students.
In three words, how does being a governance volunteer make you feel?
Resourceful, Empathetic and Purposeful.
Nadia Iftkhar
Nadia Iftkhar’s story as a NEAT director – YouTube video
About Nadia
Nadia is the Artistic Director and CEO of Company of Others, a predominantly North East-based but also nationally recognised dance theatre organisation and charity. She has overall responsibility for the organisation, develops the creative programme and is heavily involved with both the set-up and delivery of the programmes offered.
What inspired you to become a governance volunteer?
Having grown up in and gone to school in Walker, where all of our schools were located when I joined NEAT in 2017, I saw an opportunity to ensure the children and young people in our schools were represented at Board meetings, and in decision-making. I also have a unique perspective as someone who is an artist and choreographer, and it was important to me that there was an advocate for the arts, and their enormous educational and wellbeing benefits, at governance level.
What are the benefits you get from being a governance volunteer?
I know that I am contributing my time, expertise and skills to making a better future for children and young people in the North East which is the primary benefit and a privilege. We also have a board that is made up of very different perspectives and ways of thinking, and I enjoy our discussions which sometimes challenge my thinking, and which I ultimately learn from.
In three words, how does being a governance volunteer make you feel?
Energised, Curious and Fierce.
Heidi Khoshtaghaza
About Heidi
Heidi is Group HR Director for Bellway Homes and is responsible for HR, learning and development, recruitment, reward and benefits, and diversity and inclusion. Heidi has worked in generalist HR roles for 20 years, in both the public sector (NHS and Local Authority) and private sector.
What inspired you to become a governance volunteer?
When I first moved to Newcastle in 2011, I lived in Walker, and I worked in a HR role for schools, which gave me a real appreciation for the important role that education plays in shaping young people’s futures. That experience, combined with my focus on developing early careers talent in my current role, inspired me to become a governance volunteer.
What are the benefits you get from being a governance volunteer?
Being a governance volunteer offers a range of personal and professional benefits. It’s a chance to give back to the community by helping shape the direction of the school and ensuring young people receive the best possible education. It also enhances leadership and team work abilities, while offering satisfaction of making a meaningful difference in children’s lives.
In three words, how does being a governance volunteer make you feel?
Proud, Purposeful and Connected.
Steve Leggetter
About Steve
Steve is an IT specialist with experience in blue chip consultancy, programme delivery and IT Director roles across universities, healthcare, the Local Authority and the private sector. He is currently lecturing at Northumbria University.
What inspired you to become a governance volunteer?
I am lucky in the amount of travel I have within my current job and the different organisations I see up and down the country. I’ve been in the North East for 30 years now and there is nowhere like it. The people are amazing and the culture is second to none. However, I get frustrated with the levels of inequality and this helps me to give something back to help reduce the divides that I see. In addition, I always take the opportunity to set the record straight the misconceptions that people elsewhere have about our amazing region. Being a governance volunteer gives me the insight I wouldn’t otherwise have and allows me to tell the stories as they really are.
What are the benefits you get from being a governance volunteer?
The role gives me a sense of pride as well as being able to take a longer term view of our organisation.
In three words, how does being a governance volunteer make you feel?
Proud, Humble and Responsible.
Andrew Lister
About Andrew
Andrew has global IT experience across a range of companies and countries with strategic responsibility for managing resources, systems and people. Andrew is also involved with social housing in the North East and is a Non-Executive Director for Gentoo in Sunderland as well as running his own IT consultancy.
What inspired you to become a governance volunteer?
Having spent 15 years working abroad and away from the North East I wanted to be able to help support the communities where I live, being part of NEAT allows me to bring my commercial experience into NEAT and other charity organisations.
What are the benefits you get from being a governance volunteer?
Being a governance volunteer allows me to share my global commercial experience within our schools to help ensure the future of our young citizens.
In three words, how does being a governance volunteer make you feel?
Responsible, Value-Adding and Inspired.
Tom Martell
About Tom
Tom began his career teaching science and has held a range of roles in schools and the charity sector with a particular focus on using research evidence. Tom currently leads the strategy for school improvement for a Trust of schools. Tom has previously held a variety of different governance roles.
What inspired you to become a governance volunteer?
Pupils.
What are the benefits you get from being a governance volunteer?
It deepens my professional expertise.
Anne McNall
About Anne
Anne was formerly Associate Professor and Director of Strategic Workforce Development in the Nursing, Midwifery and Health Department of Northumbria University. She has extensive experience of research, teaching and curriculum development in the health sector, and developing collaborative workforce development solutions in many sectors. She was formerly Vice Chair of the NEAT Board and is now the Chair.
Sue Ormerod
About Sue
Sue is Regional Director for Nigel Wright Recruitment Group and specialises in Executive Search for CIO, CTO and IT Directors in the North. Sue is a qualified coach and is involved in coaching and mentoring consultants and new leaders within Nigel Wright. She is involved in both technical and HR forums in her role as Regional Director and is actively involved in external groups and networks too. These external networks focus on collaboration between technical businesses and another that promotes, encourages and supports females, and those who identify as female, as they start their careers into leadership.
What inspired you to become a governance volunteer?
As a member of the PTA at my daughter’s school when my daughter was young, I could see how important volunteers are within a school community. I wanted to use my experience and knowledge of businesses in the region to good effect in a voluntary capacity. Being a governor of a primary school and more recently, a trustee with NEAT, allows me to share my knowledge and experience and bring a different perspective.
What are the benefits you get from being a governance volunteer?
Being a governance volunteer introduces you to many different people from multiple industry sectors. As a governance volunteer, I continue to learn and develop my own personal leadership and people skills and have had the opportunity to work with excellent professionals in education and other sectors too. I know that I have gained a much deeper understanding and appreciation of the key and complex challenges currently being faced in education.
In three words, how does being a governance volunteer make you feel?
Proud, Included and Valued.
Amanda Seward
About Amanda
With over 17 years’ experience in education leadership across government and charity sectors, I’ve led national and regional teams to deliver high-impact programmes and strategic growth. I began my career in the classroom as a History teacher, spending many years as Head of Department before I moved on to working in Initial Teacher Training. My roles have included Regional Director and Head of School Partnerships at Teach First, and I currently lead programme implementation for Thrive Approach, working to support the mental health and wellbeing of children and young people.
What inspired you to become a governance volunteer?
I wanted to become a governance volunteer to give something back. I feel the role enables me to support schools across the Trust through bringing my strategic leadership experience to the table. I’m passionate about ensuring all pupils have access to high-quality education, and I believe strong, informed governance is vital to achieving that across NEAT. This role gives me the opportunity to give back, challenge constructively, and contribute to sustainable school improvement at scale. I am enjoying every second of working within our communities and hope to be doing so for a long time to come!
What are the benefits you get from being a governance volunteer?
There are huge benefits to being involved as a governance volunteer. I am passionate about the North East and the communities we serve, and being in a position to support, guide and make a positive impact on children and young people in the region is the most important one. Other benefits include professional development; being able to have Board-level experience which challenges strategic thinking and governance skills, while giving insight into areas I am less familiar with such as finance. Working with the Board also allows me to give back with purpose, using my skills to make a tangible impact on pupils’ lives and outcomes.
In three words, how does being a governance volunteer make you feel?
Proud, Purposeful and Energised.