Our Team
Ruth Sturdy
CEO
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Ruth is a qualified teacher and has a B.Sc ( econ) from the University of Wales and an MA with a focus on education. Her career has always had a focus on SEND,she was a SENCO in three schools in her journey towards school/setting and now multi- school leadership. Her experience of leadership across a range of settings including mainstream and specialist provisions as well as at a wider local authority level means that she has a wealth and breadth of knowledge and skills to bring to the role of CEO of SEAX.
Kim McWilliam
Director of Education
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Director of Academy Improvement- Kim is a qualified teacher with a BA(Hons) from Goldsmith College in London in Design and Technology. Kim has always had a focus on working with young people with SEND both in her education career as well as through voluntary work. She has experience of leadership in school settings as well as working in school improvement roles at a local authority level with a particular focus on improving the outcomes of young people with SEND.
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.
Wendy Antoniou
Co-Director of Business
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Business Support Manager, Wendy Antoniou, is a Chartered Accountant and qualified teacher who joined SEAX Trust in 2020 , initially working in Grove House School before moving directly to work for the Trust Central Team in April 2022. She brings both corporate and education sector experience to the role.
Mikaela Weller
Personal Assistant to the CEO, Public Relations & HR Admin Assistant
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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.