Our Trustees
Mr Jeremy Rowe - Chief Executive Officer
Jeremy is Chief Executive Officer of the Waveney Valley Academies Trust, having been Headteacher of Sir John Leman High School for eight years, from 2008-2016.
During that time, Jeremy worked with a dedicated Leadership Team to ensure that the school consistently achieved exam results which were amongst the best in the county, made some of the best progress in the country, became over-subscribed and achieved national recognition for student behaviour. Importantly, despite national trends, teachers at Sir John Leman High School remained and flourished both within the school, and the profession.
In the past three years Jeremy has been seconded to Sewell Park Academy, Norfolk and to Alde Valley Academy, Suffolk, both of which saw significant improvements in GCSE results. Jeremy also works as Executive Principal for three secondary schools, is the PIXL Deputy Regional Leader for the Eastern Region and works as an Ofsted Inspector.
In addition to these roles, Jeremy has served on ASCL Council, and been invited to present on raising exam results, leadership and improving behaviour at a range of national conferences and events. He is also the author of ‘Sorting Out Behaviour’, published by Crown House.
Married to an English teacher, and with four children, Jeremy does not have much spare time. His hobbies are occasionally playing badminton (badly!) and watching Norwich City.
Mr Mark Chapman – Chair of Trustees
Mark is employed as Finance Manager at Woodlands Primary School in Bradwell, Great Yarmouth and is the former Chair of Governors of Sir John Leman High School. Mark has a BSc (Hons) Degree in Banking and Finance and is an Associate of Chartered Institute of Bankers.
Mark has an extensive working background in the Finance Sector, formerly holding the posts of Commercial Manager and Premier Relationship Manager for HSBC. He is a keen reader and has a particular interest in history and military history.
Mr Chris Harrod - Vice-Chair of Trustees
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Chris has vast Business and Management Expertise as Chief Executive of Harrod UK Ltd and holder of the European Foundation for Quality Management (EFGM) training and PKF cost accounting and financial planning.
In his spare time, Chris’ hobbies include keeping fit, travelling, off road driving and Formula 1.
Mrs Cath Ford
Cath has an established career in the Education Sector and is currently Head of Science at Cliff Park Ormiston Academy in Gorleston. Previous roles include Head of Year and Examinations Officer at Broadland High School in Wroxham. Cath also assisted with formation of the Federation of Brampton and Ringsfield CEVC Primary Schools. In her free time, Cath likes to crochet, sing, read and is a supporter of Norwich City Football Club.
Mr David Balls
David has recently retired from the post of Managing Director of RefineCatch Ltd, a market leading type setting and data based company based in Bungay, Suffolk. He is Chairperson of 1st Bungay (School) Scout Group and a Member of the Scouts District Executive and Appointments Committees. David has a keen interest in golf and is a member of the Waveney Valley Golf Club, playing two days a week. He also enjoys travelling abroad and caravanning in the UK.
Mr Steven Alderson
Steven is the Director of Harbourage Suffolk Ltd which has been operating in the project, event and energy management sectors since 2008. He previously worked for 20 years in IT Project Management mostly for corporate financial services companies. He has been a governor at Sir John Leman High School since 2012 and is currently trustee for a number of other local charities. Steven enjoys running and has completed both half and full marathon distances.
Mr Mike Cadman
Mike worked as a dentist for over 40 years and owned his own successful practice in Beccles. He has been a magistrate for 29 years, in both criminal and family jurisdictions. He was bench chairman in North East Suffolk 2011-13. In addition he spent 19 years as a member of the Independent Mentoring Board, the Home Office appointed prison watchdog, at Blundeston Prison. He sits on the Education Appeals Panel for Suffolk and has been a governor at Roman Hill Primary School for 4 ½ years, 2 years as chairman. He is a church leader, working with churches and schools, having made 100+ visits since 1989, mainly to Kenya and Uganda.
Mr Jon Brighton
Jon is a retired Chief Superintendent. He started his career in Lowestoft, and during his career held regional and national roles. He finished his policing career as the County Policing Commander in command of local policing in Suffolk. Since retiring, he worked for HMICFRS, carrying out inspections of police forces around the country, and he is currently the chair of Cotman Housing Association who are part of the Places for People Group.
In his spare time he enjoys golf and watching Norwich City.
Mr Barry Norman
Barry and his wife Tracy have five adult children and several grandchildren. They moved to Suffolk in 2007 after 32 years in the Metropolitan Police Service where Barry held a variety of Command positions including Anti Corruption, Violent Crime and Islington Borough. Since 2011, Barry has been the Operations Lead at Access Community Trust, who are the leading providers of homeless services within East Suffolk, including employabiluity, enrichment and well being services. Barry is a keen cyclist and has organised several fundraising events such as 3 Peaks on a Bike and Lands End to John O'Groats.