Cleo is an accomplished and visionary educational leader with over 20 years of experience in leading school improvement, enhancing educational standards, and fostering a culture of continuous professional development. Previously serving as the Director of Schools at The Mead Educational Trust (TMET) in Leicester, Cleo played a pivotal role in shaping the educational strategies and overseeing the performance of 13 academies within the Trust.

Cleo's career is marked by her commitment to innovation and excellence in education. She has a proven track record of transforming schools, elevating Ofsted ratings, and driving initiatives that improve educational outcomes for all students. Her expertise spans both primary and secondary education, with a particular focus on school leadership, curriculum development, and Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND).

Throughout her career, Cleo has demonstrated an unwavering dedication to creating supportive and empowering learning environments. Her leadership ethos emphasises teamwork, excellence, and a deep understanding of the diverse needs of students and educators alike. As a Local Leader of Education (LLE) and a practicing Ofsted Inspector, Cleo continues to make a lasting impact on the educational landscape, inspiring growth and positive change across all levels of the educational system.

Tanya has worked in the public and not for profit sector since 1993 and has been a member of the Chartered Institute for Management Accountants (CIMA) since 2010. During her career, Tanya has monitored and managed budgets ranging from £6k to £125m. All activity has been within regulatory frameworks, including Charities SORP, Academy Accounts Direction, Academies Financial Handbook, the Companies Act, the 7 principles of public life and FRS.

Tanya has worked in schools for over 10 years in a variety of senior finance roles, including Academy Finance Director, Senior Finance Business Partner and Internal Auditor.

Prior to working in education, Tanya was a civil servant for over 17 years, progressing to a senior management role in finance in 2008.

Mark joined Scholars Academy Trust in September 2021, having previously held the role of Head of Operations for the East Midlands region of The Prince's Trust charity. During this time, Mark worked with schools and organisations across the public sector to create opportunities to better the prospects of young people in the region. Mark has also previously held an operational leadership role with Premier Education where he oversaw a period of rapid expansion in terms of territories in which the Franchise company operated. In this role, Mark worked with primary schools from across Leicestershire & Northamptonshire. Prior to working in operations, Mark was a secondary school teacher in Northamptonshire for a number of years. 

Mark's role as COO is a strategic leadership role which provides support in many areas to the heads of each school in the Trust and the wider executive leadership team.  Mark's responsibilities are to lead and manage in aspects of estate management, health & safety, ICT, new school integration, HR and marketing. Mark also works in conjunction with the Chief Finance Office to manage the Trust's finances.

An education professional with 30 years’ experience, Ralph taught and led in primary schools ranging in size from 70 to 320 pupils. He worked for 14 years as a headteacher, 4 years as a deputy headteacher and 26 years as a governor. He is also a trustee of a Leicestershire academy trust.

Recently retired from 6 years spent in a school effectiveness role in a local multi-academy trust of 14 schools, Ralph now serves as Head of Governance and Clerk to the Trust Board at Scholars Academy Trust, supporting the work of trustees and local governors to enable high quality governance, working closely with the other executive leaders to continue to make Scholars Academy Trust a success.