Board of Trustees
A short biography for each of our Trustees can be found below.
Kathryn Loftus
Trustee – Chair
Kathryn’s career in all phases of education has focussed on supporting vulnerable young people. Kathryn has spent the last 24 years working in a variety of local authority roles in policy development, service delivery and programme management across Sheffield, Kirklees and Bradford.
Kathryn led the DfE’s Bradford Opportunity Area Programme from 2017- 2022 and now leads its legacy work through the Education Alliance for Life Chances charity. This is a partnership which connects schools to the key public sector organisations such as the local authority, the Police, the NHS and researchers and academics in order to bring about whole system change to improve outcomes for young people.
Kathryn’s extensive experience in leading top-level projects that transform children’s life chances and promote investment in young people, combined with her unique experience of purposefully uniting large organisations for the public good, make her a perfectly experienced Chair of the Board.
Linda Waugh
Trustee – Interim CEO
Linda brings over 30 years of experience in education to her role as Interim Chief Executive Officer. She has spent 28 years as a member of Senior Leadership Teams, including 12 years as a highly successful Headteacher, giving her extensive expertise in strategic leadership, school improvement and the delivery of high-quality education for all pupils.
In addition to her work in mainstream schools, Linda has also worked within alternative provision. This includes supporting primary-aged pupils at a Pupil Referral Unit in Calderdale and working at the North Halifax Learning Support Unit, which was established to support pupils at risk of exclusion transition successfully back into mainstream education. These experiences have further strengthened her commitment to inclusion and meeting the needs of vulnerable learners.
Linda has a strong track record of leading schools through periods of change, raising standards and developing positive, inclusive cultures where both pupils and staff can thrive. She has mentored new Headteachers and is passionate about developing leadership capacity at all levels.
As Interim CEO, Linda is committed to working collaboratively with Trustees, leaders and staff across the Trust to build on existing strengths, ensure stability and drive sustained improvement, with pupils’ learning, wellbeing and outcomes at the heart of all decision-making.
Robert Jonathan (Bo) Scholefield
Trustee – Vice Chair
Robert (Bo) is currently Chair of iTrust, he has been involved with governance for over twenty-five years in a range of schools and academies across West and North Yorkshire. Bo has led iTrust, supporting the schools and both Principals through multiple challenges.
Bo is a farmer with extensive experience of working with Calderdale Local Authority, the Environment Agency and with private practice. He is a coach for the local girls’ rugby club, a club leader for Calderdale young farmers, a steering committee member for The South Pennine Fire Operations Group and founder of The South Pennines Famers’ Facilitation Group.
As a Chartered Surveyor, and with a Masters degree in Economics and Business management, Bo combines his expert knowledge of the local area with his commitment and passion for life-long learning, the environment and the local community.
Andy Bridger
Trustee
Andrew’s skill set and strengths lie in Health and Safety and Estates management. Andrew has twenty-five years’ experience in working on public sector estates projects within the health care sector.
Andrew is a school governor at Calder High School and has proven skills in finance management. He is experienced in dealing with construction contracts and will bring an invaluable skillset that complements and balances the Board.
Rob Freeth
Trustee
Rob has led primary schools in Calderdale, Bradford and internationally.
From 1999 to 2005 he led an international school in Uganda serving the diplomatic and expatriate community, delivering a British curriculum in a 3-16 through school. From 2005 to 2016 Rob led a Bradford school out of Fresh Start to become a successful three-form entry primary school in a disadvantaged inner-city area.
Rob was previously a Trustee and Chair of the Curriculum, Outcome and Accountability committee for Nurture Academy Trust and Vice- Chair of Governors at Old Town Primary school. He is currently Branch Secretary of the Calderdale branch of The National Association of Headteachers and has served as a member of Hebden Royd Town Council and as Mayor in 2021/22.
Rob brings a wealth of experience in senior leadership and education. He is deeply immersed in service to the local community. He has the passion and drive to improve standards for the young people of Calderdale.
Ashley Reed
Trustee
Ashley Reed is a seasoned financial expert with a wealth of experience in the education sector. Since 2012, he has served as the Chief Financial Officer, initially at Belle Vue Girls Academy and later with the Bradford Diocesan Academies Trust (BDAT). Under his financial stewardship, BDAT has expanded significantly, growing from just 4 academies to an impressive 21 academies.
Before his tenure at BDAT, Ashley honed his expertise in the school funding team at Bradford Local Authority. His career began in commercial accounting, where he developed a strong foundation in financial management and strategic planning.
In addition to his role at BDAT, Ashley is an advisor to the New Collaborative Learning Trust, where he supports the Risk and Audit Committee. He also chairs the Bradford School Forum, collaborating with the Local Authority and representatives from academies and schools to make crucial funding decisions for the Bradford area.
Outside of his professional life, Ashley is deeply committed to the sport of badminton. As the Junior Chair of Yorkshire Badminton, he supports over 200 players across the county, helping them achieve their athletic dreams. His dedication to both his professional and personal pursuits highlights his passion for fostering growth and excellence in every endeavour he undertakes.
Christopher Selby
Trustee
Following a successful 18 year career in International Telecommunications, Christopher transitioned to working into the areas of Leadership/Development and Learning and Skills, Coaching and Mentoring..
Working exclusively within the construction industry Christopher specialises in supporting organisations with skills, training, apprenticeships and learning and development processes and programs. He has an active role in interfacing with central government departments, including the DfE, DWP and Skills England.
With a passion for supporting disadvantaged young people Christopher also works with a UK registered charity, seeking to improve life chances for socially excluded individuals, providing them with opportunities of construction careers.
Joining the board of i-Trust Education at the end of 2022, Christopher has performed the role of Vice-Chair and has been an active member of the board.
Jonathan Beale
Member
Jonathan is currently a trustee for iTrust. He is also a trustee for a Bradford based charity with assets over £7m. Jonathan works for a wealth management and financial advice firm as a Chartered Financial Planner. He has a degree in Business Studies and a wealth of other qualifications including an advanced diploma in financial planning.
Jonathan’s commitment to Wainstall’s governors and his subsequent move to being a trustee of iTrust gives him the experience and oversight need for the Members' Board.
Jon Hairsine
Member
Jon worked for thirty years in commercial businesses, including roles as Chief Operating Officer at Fox Hayes LLP and director of Process and Technology at DLA Direct. Jon led change and transformational programmes in the legal, insurance, financial and technology service sectors. Jon also spent ten years working full time in both professional and voluntary capacities in the education sector.
Jon is currently Chair of Governors at Colden and Todmorden High Schools and is a governor at Calder High School. He is also a founding trustee of a Leeds based MAT.
Jon was a National Leader of Governance and was governor representative on the West Yorkshire Teaching Schools’ Council. Jon is now a member of IGOVS.
Jon has completed the ‘Tomorrow’s Heads’ and NPQH programmes and also has a Masters degree in Education.
Jon will bring his combination of years of commercial experience in large institutions, his implicit knowledge of education and his drive for improving standards through learning and teaching to the board.
Julia Gibson
Member
Julia built a career as a Senior Civil Servant, advising Ministers, Local Government, Emergency Services and worked in a variety of departments, from Transport to the Home Office. Julia enhanced community cohesion, enforced transport legislation, and helped deliver schemes to regenerate local areas, instructing stakeholders and holding people to account.
After the Civil Service, Julia worked for The Yorkshire Building Society as a Mortgage Loan Underwriter, responsible for lending decisions, analysing financial and credit information, whilst assessing risk and ensuring compliance.
In both careers Julia has provided mentorship and guidance.
Julia has also been a community Governor when it was Calder High School and approximately five years as Chair of the Finance Committee.
Julia has a degree in Business Studies and is qualified and practiced in Lean Six Sigma and Prince 2.
Julia brings an understanding of communities, risk assessment, accountability, and project delivery to the Board, to help inform strategic decisions and ensure the governance of the Trust is effective.
Governance Structure
| Body | Chair |
| Board of Trustees | Kathryn Loftus |
| Chair of Members | Jonathan Beale |
| Finance, Audit & Risk Committee | Andy Bridger |
| Quality of Education Committee | Rob Freeth |
| Burnley Road Academy LGB | Celia Ainley |
| Midgley School LGB | James Burrows |
| Old Town Primary School LGB | Eirwen McDonough |
| The Calder Learning Trust | Ian Bairstow |
| Wainstalls School LGB | David Meredith |
PALT Scheme of Delegated Authority
Terms of Reference for the Board of Directors