ABOUT US

meet the team

BOARD OF DIRECTORS


Mr Jerry WOOLNER: CHAIR

About Jerry

Managing Director at The Little Safety Training Company, and Best Training (Lincs) Ltd 1998 – 2018;  Chair of Governors at Lisle Marsden CofE Primary Academy; Director at Franklin 6th Form College; Director at St James School, Grimsby 2015 – 2021; Governor at Ulceby CofE Primary School and Weston St Mary CofE Primary.

Jerry is a local businessman and professional management consultant, working particularly with national and international organisations in the disciplines of business governance and logistics. A former senior executive of multi-national food organisations, he was Managing Director for over 20 years of 3 long-established companies providing educational and career development services across the Humber counties and Lincolnshire.

Jerry has been a school governor for 25 years, across all age groups from primary to 6th form college, spanning standalone academies, academy trusts, Local Authority schools, and a private fee-paying school. He is currently Chair of Governors at Lisle Marsden Church of England Primary Academy; Director of Corporation at Franklin 6th Form College; and Director of Council at St James School, Grimsby. Jerry was appointed a National Leader of Governance in 2016 and brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the LAAT Board.

Ms Jacqueline Waters-Dewhurst

About Jackie

Ex-officio (CEO). Current employment – LAAT CEO. Company directorships: Lincoln Anglican Academy Trust, St Lawrence Academy Trust. Director at St Lawrence Academy since 2012.

Jackie Waters-Dewhurst came to the diocese of Lincoln 8 years ago as Diocesan Director of Education. As part of this role she set up and developed the diocesan Multi Academy Trust (LAAT) to meet the needs of church schools within Greater Lincolnshire. This drew on her experience working as the Diocesan Director of Education for Bristol where she set up their diocesan MAT.

Jackie has worked for 3 dioceses (Lincoln, Bristol and Bath and Wells) and in each job has worked closely with partners in education forming effective relationships with, in total, 11 Local Authorities, a number of Universities and colleges, National church bodies, local charities, partner academy trusts and government agencies. Her passion is the vision for inclusive, vibrant and highly effective places of education where children are enabled to learn to be the people that God intended; to learn about their world and their place in it in the context of the complex and exciting diversity that makes up a 21st century community.

Mr Gregory Marsden

About Gregory

Member appointment. Director of Lincoln Diocesan Board of Education; governor at Franklin 6th Form College.

Gregory is a retired former executive headteacher with thirty-five years’ experience in the teaching profession, over twenty-five of which were in headship. All of Greg’s service was in the church school sector, both in Church of England and Catholic schools.

For ten years, Gregory also worked as a head-consultant for the local authority, specialising in data analysis and the mentoring of newly-appointed headteachers. More recently he has worked as a Local Leader of Education (LLE); in recent times deployed through a local teaching school. Gregory’s LLE work consisted of two main strands; continuing headteacher mentoring and overseeing the management of a school in challenging circumstances in an executive role. For ten years he was a Section 48 inspector for the Church of England National Society and has recently retired from his role as an Associate Advisor for schools in the Lincoln Diocese.

In addition to his work as a director of the Lincoln Diocesan Multi-Academy Trust, Gregory is also a member of the Lincoln Diocesan Board of Education, where he chairs the Learning and Development Committee. He is a member of the Corporation of Franklin Sixth Form College in Grimsby, where he chairs the Standards Committee.

Outside of education Gregory is Vice Chair of the Grimsby Cleethorpes Model Engineering Society, and a member of the traffic staff at the National Tramway Museum.

MR RAHUL KARAVADRA

About Rahul

Member Appointment. Rahul is a dedicated advocate for education and diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), serving as Head of Sales at Lyfta, a platform that brings immersive, global stories into classrooms.

With a background in philosophy, global citizenship and system leadership, he has worked to bridge equity gaps, empower educators, and create more inclusive learning environments. Passionate about using storytelling to foster empathy, curiosity and understanding, Rahul is committed to transforming education through innovative and accessible experiences for all students.

Outside of work, Rahul used to have a lot of interest but having recently become a first time father he now enjoys sleep above all else.

MR PAUL WILSON

ABOUT PAUL

Paul Wilson is a seasoned public service professional with a notable career spanning over three decades in the UK and internationally. His expertise lies in policing, community safety, and social justice.

Paul began his career with the Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) in 1979, where he transitioned from Law Clerk to Constable and retired as Superintendent in 2010. He was pivotal in developing Police Community Support Officers, shaping policy at New Scotland Yard, and leading initiatives like the Neighbourhood Wardens scheme. His leadership extended to overseeing community cohesion and counter-terrorism efforts.

Internationally, Paul founded the Safer South Africa Foundation to enhance safety and justice in South African schools and was invited to Ghana to help implement a Community Policing programme.

Until recently Paul lectured on policing at the University of East London. He is a sought-after keynote speaker on topics of policing reform and community safety. His contributions include influential reports and the memoir “Rocking the Boat,” published in 2021.

MRS JACQUELINE GRAY

About JACQUELINE

Jacqueline Gray is Director of Business Development & Partnerships at CATCH, an industry-led skills and training organisation, where she works with employers, education providers and regional and national partners to support skills, workforce development and economic growth.

Prior to joining CATCH, Jacqueline held a number of senior leadership roles at the University of Lincoln, including Director of Regional Engagement and Interim Director of Operations within the College of Science. Her wider career has included experience across business, finance, procurement, skills and partnership development.

Jacqueline brings particular experience in strategic partnerships, business development, governance, organisational leadership and stakeholder engagement. She holds an MBA, is a Chartered Manager and Fellow of the Chartered Management Institute (CMgr FCMI), and is a Member of the Chartered Institute of Procurement & Supply (MCIPS).

As a Trustee and Non-Executive Director of Lincoln Anglican Academy Trust, Jacqueline serves on the Finance & Operations and Schools & Standards Committees, supporting the Trust’s commitment to strong governance, sustainable growth and ensuring children and young people receive the best possible educational opportunities.

Mr Dominic Barnes-Browne

About Dominic

Member Appointment

MRS HANNAH WELLS

About Hannah

Hannah Wells works as a Programme Leader for the PGCE primary and EYs programme, at Bishop Grosseteste University in Lincoln. In her current role, she works with students training on the PGCE Primary programme, in addition to contributing to the BA (Hons) in Education programmes.

Prior to working at BGU, Hannah worked in a Multi-Academy Trust as a Deputy Head of School and Interim Head of School. She established an NQT programme of support whilst also establishing and co-ordinating School Direct Teacher Training.

Hannah was recently awarded a Masters (MA) in Education (with distinction), undertaking research around pertinent themes in education, such as mental health, wellbeing and trainee perceptions of managing classroom behaviour.

MRS LUCY FREWER

About LUCY

Member Appointment. With several years’ experience in Business and Operations in education, Lucy has a background working with schools in the Yorkshire and Lincolnshire areas and currently works for another Multi Academy Trust.

She has worked strategically with schools and Trusts to improve compliance and ensure best practices across all areas of business operations. 

Prior to working in education Lucy worked in recruitment and IT software, supporting the setup of both a successful recruitment company and a UK division of a German IT software company. 

 

MRS LUCY FREWER