Our Team
Matt Sambrook
CEO
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Kate Stannard
Director of HR
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Kate Stannard Director of HR Kate joined the staff of Thriftwood School in 2010, having worked in the private sector for some 30 years previously. She moved to work directly for the SEAX Trust in September 2016, taking responsibility for cross-Trust HR provision. She is a Member of the CIPD and is CIPD Level 5 accredited.
Catherine Burnside
Director of Governance & Compliance
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Director of Governance & Compliance, Catherine joined the SEAX Trust in August 2018 having previously worked as a clerk for maintained schools. She had also worked as a teacher in both secondary and primary settings before moving across to school governance. Catherine has a passion for education and is committed to ensuring effective governance across the Trust. Catherine’s role also encompasses Company Secretary for SEAX.
Darren Mussenden
IT Manager
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Darren joined the SEAX Trust in September 2016 as the IT Manager and brings over 20 years’ experience supporting and managing IT solutions, deployed within an educational environment. Darren enjoys travelling and his favourite country is Italy.
Mikaela Weller
HR Administrator
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Mike Bevan
Estate Manager
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Mike has 40 years of management experience, including 12 years in school site management. Prior to joining SEAX Trust, Mike lead and ran his own project management business in France which included the design and building of property. He has also been a registered foster carer for Essex County Council and previously worked as an LSA in a local senior school.
Irina Brown
Finance Manager
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Jana Kemal
Finance Assistant
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Jana is the Finance Assistant at SEAX Trust, having joined the team in March 2025. With a wealth of experience spanning several years, Jana has honed her skills in the banking sector both within the UK and internationally where she developed a deep understanding of financial operations and management. Before her tenure at SEAX Trust, Jana contributed significantly to the educational sector. She worked at primary schools as the Personal Assistant to the Headteacher and as the Business Manager's Assistant. These roles allowed her to blend her administrative expertise with her financial acumen, supporting the smooth running of school operations. Outside of her professional life, Jana enjoys a range of hobbies that keep her active and engaged. She loves walking, traveling, and reading, which provide her with relaxation and inspiration.
Wendy Antoniou
Interim CFO
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A Chartered Accountant with a wealth of education industry experience, Wendy has been the SEAX Trust Interim CFO since January 2026. She brings insight and knowledge of Department of Education standards for a range of Trust responsibilities and a solid understanding of the many components of SEAX Trust as she was previously CFO of the Trust.
Lou Babbs
School Improvement Lead
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Lou joined the SEAX Trust in 2026 as School Improvement Lead. She brings a rich blend of experience from a successful career in public sector project management, and her work as a qualified primary school teacher across both mainstream and SEN schools. Lou recently led a Local Authority programme focusing on improving outcomes for children and young people. Beyond her professional life, Lou is a passionate rugby coach of a Mixed-Ability team, championing inclusion on and off the pitch.
Kate Hart
School Improvement Lead
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Adam Knott
Director of IT & Digital Transformation
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