Trustees - Methodist Independent Schools Trust (MIST)

	The Revd Dr John Barrett - Chair of MIST (Appointed 2017) Educated at Culford School, and Newcastle and Cambridge Universities. Trained for the Methodist Ministry at Wesley House, Cambridge, and subsequently has held a variety of appointments in the area of Christian education including three headships: Kent College, Pembury; The Leys School, Cambridge; The Anglo-Chinese International School, Singapore. He was the first Chair of the World Methodist Council Education Committee and from 2006-2011 was President of the World Methodist Council. He is married to Sally, and has two married children and four grandchildren.
	Keith Norman - Deputy Chair of MIST Nominations & Governance Committee (Appointed 2015) Keith has recently retired, having been a secondary school science teacher and, for the past 20 years a deputy headteacher. He was brought up in Essex, studied at St. Andrews and York Universities where he met and married Pat. They live in Essex, where Keith is organist and a worship leader at the local Methodist Church. He is also the Lay Stationing Representative for the Beds, Essex and Herts. Methodist District. They have a son and daughter and are the very proud grandparents of three beautiful little girls and one smiling boy.
	AVM Steven Abbott Nomination & Governance Committee (Appointed 2016) Air Vice-Marshal Steven Abbott is a retired RAF officer, but now works for the MOD as a member of the Senior Directing Staff and Course Director at the Royal College of Defence Studies. A Governor at Culford School since 2008, he is currently Chair of Governors. He joined the RAF at age 18 and after completing a degree at UEA served for 37 years, retiring in 2011.
	The Revd Stephen Burgess (Appointed 2017) Stephen initially trained as a Chemist, and worked in industry before undertaking a PGCE followed by a couple of years teaching in a secondary school. He then trained for ordained Methodist ministry, retiring in 2017 after 37 years in the “active work”. His ministry has included 20 years as a School Chaplain: seven years at Farringtons School, followed by 13 years at The Leys School, where he was also a Housemaster for five years. In 1990, Stephen exchanged for twelve months with the Chaplain of Newington College, Sydney. Four years as Superintendent Minister of the Cambridge circuit was followed by 13 years as Chair of the York & Hull district. Stephen is married to Barbara, a retired teacher who taught at St Faith’s School for ten years before moving to the Minster School in York. They have two adult sons – both of whom are past pupils of St Faith’s School and The Leys School. Sailing with young people is a passion, and Stephen skippers offshore yachts for the Rona Sailing Project in a voluntary capacity.
	Elaine Cleland Finance Committee (Appointed 2016) Elaine has wide ranging experience in senior management and leadership both in business and education. Her focus has always been on the engagement and development of the people, empowering them to perform more effectively to enable an organisation to realise its full executive and commercial potential.
	Lorna Cocking (Appointed 2017) Lorna is the Chair of Governors at Kent College in Canterbury and a trustee of the National Foundation for Educational Research (NFER). She has held a range of governance roles. She was Chairman of the Council of the Girls’ Day School Trust (one of the largest educational charities in the country) between 2007-14, and prior to that Chair of the board of governors of Middlesex University, where she is now Pro-Chancellor. She has been a board member of the British Educational Communication and Technology Authority, the Specialist Schools and Academies Trust and a member of the CBI Education and Training Council. A graduate of Ancient History and Archaeology, she initially became a teacher before moving into publishing where she was UK Publishing Director for Longman.
	Robert Cowie Chair of Finance Committee (Appointed 2015) Rob is a Chartered Accountant and is a consultant in the Truro office of Francis Clark LLP. He lives just outside Truro, Cornwall with his wife Sandra. He originally qualified as a Chartered Accountant in 1976 and became a partner in the predecessor firm in 1983, and has just completed 42 years’ service in the firm. Rob is a Governor of Truro School and is currently Vice-Chair and Chair of Finance. He is also a member of the Audit Committee of Cornwall College, and is a member of the national taxation committee of the Country Land and Business Association. Rob has three grown up children, two of them having attended Truro School, and one grandson. Rob enjoys playing golf and travelling.
	Barbara Easton Safeguarding Trustee Ethos Development Group (Appointed 2017) Barbara’s professional background is in school leadership, and Religious Education. She is the Director of Education for the Methodist Church in Britain and a Trustee of both MAST (Methodist Academies and Schools Trust) and MIST (Methodist Independent Schools Trust). She is also involved with the Methodist Church as a Local Preacher and youth club leader.
	Margaret Faulkner Chair of Nominations & Governance Committee, Remuneration Committee Audit Committee (Appointed 2017) Margaret attended a Methodist Independent School and has a degree in Economics-with-Statistics from Bristol University. Margaret ended her lifetime career in the railway industry in 2001, retiring from a position in financial planning for Railtrack Major Stations. She is currently a Governor at Farringtons School, having been Chair from 2003 to 2010. She is Treasurer of both her local church and Circuit.
	Veronica Knight Nomination & Governance Committee Remuneration Committee Audit Committee (Appointed 2016) Veronica Knight was called to the bar in 1977 and is currently Circuit Judge in the Kent County Court. She has been a Governor of Kent College, Pembury and is a corporate member of The Ladies’ College, Cheltenham.
	Dr Neil Tunnicliffe (Appointed 2018) Neil was educated at Queen Elizabeth Grammar School, Wakefield, and at The Queen’s College Oxford where he attained a First Class degree in Literae Humaniores and a D.Phil. in Ancient History. On leaving university Neil worked for the Rugby Football League, where he was Chief Executive between 1998 and 2000. Since then he has continued to work in sport as the Principal of Wharton Consulting, a specialist consultancy which advises a range of Olympic, Paralympic and professional sports on their strategy, governance, talent development and high performance programmes. Neil was a Governor at Woodhouse Grove School between 2002 and 2011. He lives in Harrogate and is married to Rachel, who is a partner in a law firm. They have two teenage children, and are active members of St Mark’s Church, Harrogate.