Directors and Trustees

At St Benedict Catholic Academy Trust, we are guided by a deep commitment to providing an outstanding education within a framework of Catholic values and principles. Our Directors and Trustees play a pivotal role in ensuring that we not only adhere to these values but also strive for excellence in every aspect of our work.

Our Board of Directors and Trustees comprises individuals from a variety of backgrounds, each bringing a wealth of experience and expertise to our trust. They include educators, professionals from various sectors, and members of the Catholic community, all united by a shared dedication to enriching the lives of the children and young people in our care.

This page is dedicated to introducing our Directors and Trustees. Their leadership and unwavering support are instrumental in shaping the direction of our academies, ensuring that we provide a nurturing environment where every student can live, learn, pray and celebrate together.

 

Noel commenced his teaching career in Peckham before advancing to Deputy Headship in East Dulwich, culminating in Headship in Croydon. With an illustrious tenure spanning 33 years in education, Noel retired from headship in December 2022.

During his tenure as Headteacher, Noel spearheaded his school’s academisation process, transitioning it to a stand-alone academy. He played a pivotal role in fostering effective collaboration between schools, co-establishing the Croydon Catholic Primary Schools Umbrella Trust, comprising nine schools. Noel boasts extensive experience in all facets of school leadership and acknowledges the crucial role governors and directors play in supporting schools.

Passionate about advocating for the rights of all children to receive tailored education and surmounting obstacles hindering their potential realisation, Noel is deeply committed to this cause.

He firmly believes in the ethos of "giving something back" and has previously dedicated two years as a volunteer with Concern Worldwide, an international humanitarian organisation, working in Sudan. Currently, he volunteers for the Bromley mentoring service, providing support to children at risk of school exclusion.

Residing in Brockley in SE London, Noel is a parishioner at St. James the Great Catholic Church in Peckham, where he serves as the Health and Safety lead for the parish.

Beyond his professional commitments, Noel is a devoted husband and father of three young men, and a proud member of a large and growing extended Irish family. In his leisure time, he prioritises maintaining a healthy lifestyle through fitness activities, including weekly park runs.

 

Shireen is an experienced Executive Principal overseeing a family of three Catholic Sixth Form Colleges in South East London. With a wealth of experience in building and sustaining collaborative partnerships, Shireen brings a valuable perspective to her role.

She has extensive governance experience and feels privileged to have been appointed as Vice Chair of St Benedict Catholic Academy Trust at such an exciting time in its journey.

Shireen is committed to ensuring equity in opportunities for all pupils, ensuring they reach their full potential. She believes in continuous improvement, viewing excellence as a collaborative effort within the Catholic Trust, always striving to be better through sharing and supporting others.

Shireen is dedicated to social action and believes that engaging pupils in charity and volunteering activities helps develop their sense of worth and achievement. Her personal interests include volunteering, supporting charitable causes, travel, cricket, and backing Gillingham FC.

 

John brings over two decades of experience in the Financial Services industry to his role as the Director of IT Sourcing and Procurement at one of the world’s largest Risk and Insurance firms. With a strong background in IT commercial management, John has demonstrated his ability to drive strategic initiatives and deliver results in complex environments.

In addition to his professional expertise, John has dedicated a significant portion of his time to volunteer service. He has served on numerous Boards, including an impressive 14-year tenure as a school Governor, during which he provided leadership and oversight during the conversion of his school to a Single Academy Trust. Furthermore, John played a pivotal role as a founding member and Chair of the Bromley Catholic Schools Umbrella Trust, demonstrating his commitment to enhancing educational opportunities within the community.

Passionate about ensuring the best possible outcomes for all pupils, John firmly believes that difficult decisions must always prioritise the welfare and development of children. His principled approach to governance reflects his unwavering dedication to educational excellence and student welfare.

Outside of his professional and volunteer commitments, John is a devoted family man with two children. He resides in Beckenham, where he actively participates in the local community as a parishioner at St Edmund’s. In his leisure time, John enjoys the simple pleasures of walking and exploring new destinations through travel.

John's blend of professional acumen, volunteer leadership, and commitment to community engagement makes him a valuable asset to our school trust, embodying our core values of excellence and compassion.

 

Aaron embarked on his professional journey by graduating with an honours degree in Building Surveying. Following his graduation, Aaron was headhunted by a leading construction and property development company based in Dublin and London. He initially served as a Quantity Surveyor in their Dublin office before being seconded to the London office to address some of their more challenging developments.

Fast forward eighteen years, and Aaron has remained in London, transitioning to London's largest privately-owned property development company, where he holds a pivotal role in the construction leadership team. His current responsibilities include overseeing the delivery of some of London's most iconic developments, spanning from apartments to hotels and commercial spaces.

In addition to his professional career, Aaron actively supports local charities and community projects. Notably, he has organised golf days that have raised significant donations to support these worthy causes. Aaron takes pride in his Irish Catholic family roots and resides in Beckenham with his wife and daughter. During his leisure time, he enjoys golfing in the summer months and maintains a regular gym routine.

 

Tiffany White is an experienced chartered accountant who specialises in financial planning and commercial finance. With a diverse background spanning various industries including technology and retail, Tiffany currently holds a position in financial technology.

Tiffany is an alumna of Bonus Pastor, one of the founding schools of the trust. She has demonstrated her commitment to education by serving as a governor in both a local primary school and a multi-academy trust. Her passion lies in the learning and development of students, particularly in fostering understanding of careers and the workplace.

Raised in Catford, South East London, Tiffany possesses a strong sense of community and actively seeks opportunities to give back and support local initiatives.

In the workplace, Tiffany has played a pivotal role as a founding member and participant in Diversity and Inclusion committees. Her fervent dedication to social mobility is evident through her involvement in evaluating barriers to entry into the workplace, especially for individuals from socioeconomically disadvantaged backgrounds.