Trustees and Members

Graeme is a qualified Chartered Accountant with over 30 years’ experience across FTSE 100 companies. Graeme completed his articles with KPMG before joining ICI Tioxide, Southern Africa where he worked in the finance department. He was transferred to the UK in 1997, joining ICI Katalco and held numerous senior finance roles as the organisation expanded. Following the sale of the business to Johnson Matthey, Graeme was appointed the Divisional Finance Director and together with the Divisional Managing Director, they embarked on an aggressive acquisition strategy.

In 2010, Graeme continued to broaden his experience by moving into general management and has led numerous global businesses across the Johnson Matthey portfolio including their Oil & Gas and Process Technologies portfolio.

In 2018, Graeme was promoted to Managing Director – New Markets (Johnson Matthey), reporting directly to the company CEO &CFO. He worked with numerous leadership teams and across a variety of markets (fuel cells, medical, life sciences, plastics, etc) to develop their strategies and enhance their value to the Johnson Matthey portfolio.

Graeme believes that leadership involves empowering the people, supporting them to maximise their potential and ensuring that every decision is taken at the appropriate level.

Graeme has recently retired from Johnson Matthey and is looking to spend time on the golf course whilst supporting the local community.

Philomena Abrahams (Marshall) OBE.

More than 40 years’ experience as a successful teacher and leader in schools in Inner London and The North East of England, predominantly in those serving complex communities with high levels of deprivation. 25 years’ experience as a Secondary School Principal, Executive Principal, Consultant Education Director and Education Advisor working with Primary and Secondary Sectors, Local Authority Schools, Single Academy Trusts and Multi Academy Trusts serving complex communities and pupils aged 2 – 19.

In roles of Headteacher and Executive Principal, 15 years of experience in successfully halting decline and significantly improving the education outcomes, quality of pupil welfare support, parental perception and growth of 3 different “failing” secondary schools.

Extensive experience in successfully leading organisation development, systems development, leadership development and staff training and development. Awarded OBE for services to education 2017 New Year’s Honours. Accredited Senior Adviser, Association of Education Advisers (AOEA) in 2021.

Michael has been Chief Executive Officer of The Priestley Academy Trust in Bradford since September 2021; the trust comprises of 6 primary schools. Before this role Michael was Deputy Chief Executive Officer of Tyne Coast Academy Trust in the North East consisting of primary and secondary schools as well as a successful UTC. With an extensive educational leadership background and passion for turning around schools in difficult circumstances, Michael is driven by challenge and doing the right thing by those who need it most. He is driven by the moral purpose of education and providing the best possible opportunities for all, especially those who need it most. Michael has worked in a range of schools including Catholic education and Church of England schools and has served on the Board or Governing Body on 7 different occasions as both staff and non-staff so knows governance. He has extensive experience of corporate governance and has been part of investigation panels and hearings. Outside of work Michael is a season ticket holder at Newcastle United

Tom was approached by the Local Authority to work with the Landmark Teaching Alliance as School Improvement Adviser where he was responsible for raising standards and managing a programme of Professional Development for workforce for the 10 schools in alliance, with a particular focus on developing leaders and succession planning. He is an accredited & trained Consultant Leader, External Adviser & School Improvement Partner.
As an independent educational consultant Tom was involved in the planning & delivery of the ‘Closing the Gap’ programme across LAs in the north east and in training programmes for School Self Improvement & Developing Aspiring Leaders.