Meet our Team

Jonathan Ronan

Jonathan Ronan is a seasoned education leader with over two decades of experience. As the founding Chief Executive Officer of the St Benedict Catholic Academy Trust, he has successfully led schools to Outstanding Ofsted and CSI judgments. Under his leadership, student attainment has increased and behaviour has significantly improved.

A passionate advocate for Catholic education, Jonathan believes in providing all students with the best possible opportunities to thrive. His vision for the Trust is to create a network of schools that deliver exceptional teaching and learning, fostering a strong Catholic identity and helping students reach their full potential.

Outside of work, Jonathan is a proud father of three and enjoys spending time with his family and following football.

Bobby Jasper

Samantha Dossetter

Samantha has spent the past 11 years working in school governance across Bromley, Kent and London, including a 19-school MAT in Bromley where she has developed and implemented the governance strategy for the Trust. As a governor herself, she has a strong understanding of the ways governors can contribute to the effectiveness of school life and developing the whole child experience, and the value of being part of a Trust of like-minded schools.  

As a parent of 2 children now entering Year 11 and Year 12 she is aware of the experiences of families and young people during their education journey and of the importance of a supportive school.

Prior to having children and undertaking a career break, Samantha held senior HR roles in both the public and private sectors, which have equipped her with strong people skills and an understanding of the confidentiality required for the role.  Samantha has a degree in Law from the University of Warwick and a Masters in Human Resource Management.

Outside of work Samantha enjoys spending time with family and friends, travelling when possible and is an active member of a local book club.

Joanne Hawthorne brings over 28 years of experience in education, with a career spanning both primary and secondary sectors. Having spent two decades working in primary schools, Joanne has developed a deep understanding of the varying challenges and opportunities facing London schools. Her earlier career included eight years as a secondary English teacher, where she honed her skills in curriculum development.

Currently serving as Interim Director of Primaries, Joanne is also a member of the Catholic Schools' Inspectorate. She is passionate about raising educational standards and is committed to ensuring that every child receives a rich, meaningful learning experience. Her work focuses on empowering school leaders to create environments where both students and staff can thrive.

Joanne champions collaborative, research-informed approaches to school improvement. She believes that sustainable progress is rooted in shared learning, reflective practice, and a relentless focus on excellence. Her leadership is marked by a strong commitment to equity, opportunity, and the transformative power of education.

Karen Robertson

With over a decade dedicated to education in diverse roles, Karen Robertson brings a rich understanding of people, process, and purpose to her role as HR Manager. Her vision is to establish the Trust as an employer of choice by fostering an inclusive, supportive, and high-performing environment where every individual can thrive.

As a mother of four, Karen values balance, empathy, and resilience, qualities that underpin her approach in both her professional and personal life. Outside of work, she enjoys fitness, long walks, and family time.

Scott brings over 20 years of experience running his own successful property maintenance company, where he specialised in delivering high-quality, reliable services across a range of sectors.

In April 2025, he joined St Benedict Catholic Academy Trust as Facilities Manager, overseeing the maintenance and operational safety of all our school sites. His hands-on expertise and proactive approach ensure that our learning environments are safe, efficient, and well-maintained for both pupils and staff.

Outside of work, Scott is a keen sports enthusiast. He enjoys playing golf and football and proudly manages his son’s football team.

Nick Lawrence is an experienced teacher and senior leader having worked in education in Lewisham for over 13 years. Whilst a Geography teacher at heart, his passion lies with giving pupils opportunities to develop and grow outside and beyond of the classroom, discovering and fulfilling their God given gifts and talents; whether that be through extra curricular clubs, activities, trips, performances, concerts and more.

Having overseen both Duke of Edinburgh and the Bonus Pastor Charter, recognised nationally by the Department for Education as a case study for character education, Nick strives to ensure that all pupils have the opportunity to engage, flourish and be celebrated. 

Outside of work Nick is a proud father of two, an avid green fingered gardener and a keen mountain hiker.  

Saffron Stone

A highly organised and proactive professional, Saffron has a proven track record of providing high-level support in both corporate and educational settings. Over the past three years, she supported three Managing Directors and Partners at a leading global management consultancy based in Dubai. Before relocating to Dubai, Saffron worked as an Executive Assistant within the education sector, supporting leadership teams at two secondary schools in Southeast London. Prior to this, she held the position of Event Manager for a prestigious luxury hotel group, coordinating high-profile events across London and Europe.

Saffron holds a First-Class Honours degree in International Hospitality and Business Management from the University of Brighton and is further developing her skills in HR and people management through the CIPD Level 5 Associate Diploma.

Outside of work Saffron enjoys travelling, hiking, Reformer Pilates and spending quality time with friends and family.