Trust Board

Martin was educated at St Bede’s school and then St Bernard’s before going onto further education. He is a Chartered accountant and senior partner of a local firm Hart Shaw LLP although retirement is just around the corner. Martin has been a school governor for well over 20 years starting at St Bede’s before joining the boards of Holy Rood in Barnsley, St Bernards and St Joseph’s Dinnington. He is chair at Holy Rood and well as chair of the LAC at St Joseph’s Dinnington. He is married with 3 grown up children and one grandchild. Outside of work, Martin is a keen golfer and follower of Rotherham Titans Rugby Union Club.

John was born and brought up in Leeds attending St Theresa’s Primary School Crossgates and St Michael’s College. His Jesuit-inspired education continued into tertiary level. Two first level degrees (philosophy [PhB] and theology -STB]) and a licentiate (≈Masters) in Fundamental Theology [STL] were awarded by the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome where I lived in the Venerable English College. John was ordained by the Bishop of Leeds, William Gordon Wheeler in St Anne’sCathedral in 1978 and he was appointed to St Peter-in-Chains, Doncaster the following year when his studies were completed. In 1980 the Diocese of Hallam was created and he was subsequently moved to St Marie’s, now a Cathedral, and asked to assist in the work of the Diocesan Schools’ Commission. In the mid 1980’s he succeeded Mgr Stephen Sullivan in the roles of Administrator of the Cathedral and as Diocesan Schools’ Commissioner. John has lived in South Africa, in the Western Cape area for ten years, his parish being Cape Flats. John came to St Bede’s in 2003, and continued to fulfil his interests in education in multiple ways, including the present one as a director of the St Francis MAT.

Adele has over 30 years of experience working within business operations, initially working in industry across a range of areas before making the transition into the education sector working in the maintained and academies sector. She is a Fellow of the Institute of School Business Leadership. Adele has worked with Local Authorities and external partners as part of workforce development to ensure that all staff play a role in the outcomes for students. Her strengths lie in strategic and systems development and coaching and development of others to ensure organisational efficiency.

Rebecca is a practising solicitor and senior leader in local government specialising in legal, governance and commercial matters. She previously was the Chair of Governors at one of our Trust schools before joining the Trust Board.

Tim works in the NHS, leading a team that supports hospitals and systems to improve urgent and emergency care. He was previously chair of governors at a local primary school for eight, and has a keen interest in governance, organisational culture and sustainable improvement. Outside of work, he is a keen gardener and supporter of Rotherham United.

Jackie works in market research and is a mother of three children. She is committed to serve the students by helping them achieve their best possible selves. This role allows her to contribute to their growth and development in meaningful ways.

Russell worked as a GP with an interest in substance misuse for 37 years until his retirement in 2024. Russell was a member of the Rotherham Clinical Commissioning Group for nine years with responsibility for mental health. Russell was elected a fellow of the Royal College of General Practitioners in 2019. Russell has travelled with St Bernard's school as a doctor on several international trips. He has served the Hallam Lourdes Pilgrimage for 29 years, many of those as the chief medical officer, and he is now the pilgrimage director. In 2025 Russell was awarded a knighthood in the Pontifical Order of Saint Sylvester by Pope Leo XIV for services to the Catholic Church. In his spare time, Russell enjoys walking and playing with his grandchildren.