Members
Most charitable companies have members because of the requirements of the Companies Act 2006. As all academy trusts are set up as charitable companies, they too must have members. In effect, the members sign to say they wish to form a company.
The DfE state: ‘Charity Trustees means the directors of the Academy Trust, who are responsible for the general control and management of the administration of the Academy Trust’
Members play a limited but crucial role in safeguarding academy trust governance. While they must ensure they do not stray into undertaking the Academy Trustees' role, they should assure themselves that the governance of the trust is effective, that Academy Trustees are acting in accordance with the trust’s charitable object(s) and that they, the Members, use their powers to step in if governance is failing.
It is the trust board, not the members, who are the organisation’s key decision makers.
A Multi Academy Trust can have up to five Members and no less than three Members.
The current Members for ESPRIT are:
| Name | Appointed | Resigned |
| Elizabeth Jane Gaffney | 15.12.21 | |
| Francis Gaffney | 14.12.19 | |
| Garry Cartlidge | 01.09.17 | |
| Lilian Dodd | 05.12.18 | |
| Simon Atkins | 04.12.19 | |
| Stewart Cameron Bray | 01.09.19 |
Non-executive Directors/Trustees
ESPRIT Multi Academy Trust has a team of non-executive directors, also known as Trustee, whose combined skills offer a wealth of experience to support the Trust's activities.
The Trust plays several roles in the life of each of its schools, setting direction and working with the leadership team to ensure that each school provides the best learning environment for its students. The Trust board is responsible for fostering progress in all areas of the schools' operation, promoting value for money and good use of public funds, and championing the schools in the wider community.
Our non-executive directors are successful and committed professionals are chosen for their knowledge of business, finance, IT and education.
The non-executive Directors are responsible for the general control and management of the administration of the trust, and in accordance with the provisions set out in the articles of association and its funding agreement. The non-executive directors are legally responsible and accountable for all statutory functions, for the performance of all schools within the trust, and must approve a written scheme of delegation of financial powers that maintain robust internal control arrangements. In addition, it must carry out the three core governance functions:
- Ensure clarity of vision, ethos, and strategic direction.
- Hold the executive to account for the educational performance of the trust’s schools and their pupils and the performance management of staff.
- Oversee the financial performance of the trust and make sure its money is well spent.
The current Directors of ESPRIT Multi Academy Trust are:
| Name | Date appointed | Appointment type |
| Mr. Paul Atkins | 04.12.19 | Member |
| Mr. Patrick Railson | 04.12.19 | Member |
| Mr. Chris Derbyshire | 28.03.22 | Member |
Trustee Resignations
| Name | Appointment Type | Appointment Date | Date of Resignation |
| Mrs. Katie Dixon | Member | 28.02.22 | 11.07.22 |
| Mrs. Jane Gaffeny | Member | 06.04.17 | 28.02.22 |
| Mrs. Wendy Sandbrook | Member | 10.05.21 | 28.04.22 |
| Mr. Lee Woodham | Member | 09.12.20 | 04.04.22 |
| Mr. William Johnstone | Member | 07.04.17 | 06.01.22 |
| Mrs. Stephaine Moran | Executive Headteacher | 16.11.16 | 08.09.21 |
| Mrs. Jean Moore | Member | 01.04.19 | 08.09.21 |
| Ms. Michelle Chadwick | Member | 07.04.17 | 12.09.21 |
| Mr. Shaun Lees | Member | 16.11.16 | 09.12.20 |
Executive team
Executive Team (CEO, CFO, & Principals) – manage the day-to-day business of the Trust in line with their job descriptions and trust policies.
Academy Leadership Team (Principals & Vice Principals) – manage the day-to-day business of an individual academy under the oversight of the Executive Team with challenge and support from the Local Advisory Body.
The members of the executive team are:
| Name | Position |
| Stephanie Moran | Interim Chief Executive Officer ( w.e.f 01.09.22) |
| Marianne Williams | Chief Finance Officer |
| Yvonne Glaister | Principal |
| Shirley Carrigan | Principal |
Trust Board sub committees
Trust boards may establish committees and may choose to delegate functions to them. Where the trust board does delegate functions, the trust board remains responsible and accountable for decisions made.
The trust board currently has the following sub committees:
Local governing body
A Trust Board may decide to set up one or more Local Advisory Bodies sometimes known as Advisory Boards to oversee an academy or group of academies in the academy trust. Local Advisory Bodies are made up of different types of Governors, including electing staff and parent governors. The Trust Board will decide which, if any, governance functions they will delegate to Local Advisory bodies which is set out in the Trust’s written Scheme of Delegation.
At ESPRIT Multi Academy Trust currently has one Local Governing Body for all three academies. This is currently under review by the member of the Trust Board.
The terms of reference of the Local Governing Body can be found in the Trust's Scheme of Delegation.
Finance Audit and Risk Committee (FAR)
The purpose of the FAR committee is to oversee the Trusts’ non-curriculum business operations including monitoring and scrutiny of financial budgeting and plans; annual programme of internal and external audits; estates and premises management; and health & safety, while ensuring that all operational and strategic risks are being addressed appropriately. Full details of the FAR committee's terms of reference can be found in the Trust's Scheme of Delegation.