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.

Mathew has been Chief Executive Officer of The Priestley Academy Trust in Bradford since April 2024; the trust comprises of 6 primary schools. Before this role Mathew was Director of School Improvement and a Headteacher within the Trust. Mathew has served as a school improvement advisor and Local Leader of Education working specifically with schools causing concern. Mathew has a passion for working within challenging environments and ensuring every child achieves their full potential. Mathew has served on a number of Governing Bodies and Interim Executive Boards. Outside of work Mathew has two young children who keep him very busy. 

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.