Our Operational Support Team
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Finance
Central Team (ID 2277)
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Jon BriggsChief Finance & Operations Officer
Jon Briggs
Jon is responsible for overseeing the financial health and smooth running of the Trust. As a strategic financial leader, he crafts budgets, manages investments, and ensures financial compliance.
As chief of operations, Jon is responsible for efficient HR, IT, facilities, catering and procurement across the Trust.
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Michelle WilliamsFinance Officer
Michelle Williams
Michelle plays a crucial role in supporting smooth financial operations of the trust, handling and processing accounts payable and receivable, and maintaining accurate financial records. Michelle collaborates effectively with other departments, providing timely and reliable financial services that inform key decisions. Her commitment to accuracy and efficiency contributes significantly to the trust's financial well-being.
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Tracy WrightFinance Officer
Tracy Wright
Tracy's strong skills and financial knowledge enrich our finance team. She works closely with the Chief Finance Officer to develop long-term financial plans and processes.
Human Resources
Human Resources (ID 2281)
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Mel ClarkeHR Manager
Mel Clarke
As HR Manager, Mel plays a pivotal role in attracting, developing, and retaining top talent across our schools.
Mel is involved with the entire employee lifecycle, from onboarding to payroll to performance management and professional development. Driven by a commitment to excellence, Mel strives to cultivate a collaborative and high-performing workforce that is instrumental in the Trust's success.
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Gemma PattersonRecruitment Officer
Gemma Patterson
Gemma spearheads the trust's recruitment efforts, actively seeking talented individuals to work with us during a crucial time in our growth. With a keen eye for potential and a passion for connecting people with fulfilling careers, she manages the entire recruitment process – from sourcing and attracting candidates to organising interviews and onboarding new hires.
Premises
Site Team (ID 2278)
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Darren CoatesPremises & Facilities Manager
Darren Coates
Darren has a background in project management for large retail companies such as B&Q and Homebase, as well as running his own business, before joining the Trust in 2019.
Darren is responsible for ensuring the efficient upkeep of all school buildings within the trust. This includes overseeing maintenance, health and safety compliance, grounds management, cleaning services, and capital projects. With a keen eye for detail and a commitment to providing a safe and positive learning environment, Darren works collaboratively with school staff and external contractors to deliver exceptional facilities management across the trust.
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David WrightSite Agent
David Wright
As Chantry Primary's dedicated Site Agent, David plays a vital role in maintaining an optimal learning environment. He brings a proactive approach to ensuring the school runs smoothly. His responsibilities encompass facilities maintenance, repairs, logistical support and ensuring compliance with health and safety regulations.
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Harrison CoatesSite Agent
Harrison Coates
Harrison serves as the dedicated Site Agent for Whitefield Primary. He ensures the school's smooth daily operation, tackling every task with initiative and a can-do attitude. From maintaining pristine facilities to assisting with minor repairs and providing logistical support, Harrison contributes significantly to a well-functioning and welcoming environment for everyone.
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Basil SinghSite Agent
Basil Singh
Based at Southfield Primary, Basil takes pride in ensuring the smooth daily operation of the school environment, tackling a variety of tasks with initiative and a positive attitude. Whether it's maintaining the cleanliness and tidiness of the school facilities, assisting with minor repairs and maintenance, or providing logistical support and advice, Basil's dedication contributes significantly to a well-functioning and welcoming learning environment.
Catering
Catering Team (ID 2280)
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Paul WardCatering Support Manager
Paul Ward
Paul has held senior management roles in some of the largest restaurant chains in the country and joined the PLT team in October 2021.
He directly oversees the kitchen teams in each school, helping them to deliver nutritious and delicious meals that meet the highest standards of food safety and hygiene. As Service Manager, he leads strategically; developing menus, managing budgets and sourcing quality ingredients across the MAT. Paul is passionate about fostering a positive dining experience for students and staff, believing well-nourished minds fuel academic success and community spirit.
IT
IT Service (ID 2279)
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Richard HarveyIT Service Manager
Richard Harvey
Richard has worked supporting numerous schools with their IT requirements for more than ten years and joined the PLT team in May 2022.
He leads a dedicated team to ensure smooth IT operations across all schools and is driven by simplifying IT infrastructure and processes, believing that outstanding IT has an impact across the whole organisation.
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Bernadette MelroseIT Technician
Bernadette Melrose
Bernadette enjoys hands-on support, tackling user queries and software troubleshooting, ensuring staff have the right solutions to their IT problems.
Bernadette is also responsible for managing the websites within the Trust. She ensures website compliance with regulations, handles routine maintenance, and implements regular updates to keep our online information up to date, user-friendly and secure.
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John TaylorIT Technician
John Taylor
John has worked in schools supporting their IT needs for more than 20 years. He provides hands-on support to ensure the smooth operation of all IT equipment across all our schools.
John prides himself on the speed of his response to issues and aspires to achieve zero IT support requests on our dedicated helpdesk!