Trust Board

The trustees of our board are a group of volunteers who have collective accountability and responsibility for the trust, on behalf of members.

The board of trustees delegate the majority of operations to the Executive Team/employees but they meet regularly to oversee vision, strategy and policies and maintain overall control of the legal entity of the trust.

Our trustees ensure that our academies, provisions and services perform well, in line with the trust vision to achieve the outstanding education and high quality care of children and young people with complex needs.

The Astrum Trust Board currently has a number of sub-committees;

• Finance, Audit and Risk
• People and Services
• Pay
• Quality of Education

Each of the committees has ‘terms of reference’ (set/approved by the full trust board), an elected chair and alongside link visits, they meet at least termly. Each chair feeds back to the board of trustees during full trust board meetings. 

The Quality of Education Committee specifically links to our local advisory board(s) of governors, the Schools’ Committee’, and the chair of the schools’ committee is a member of the Quality of Education committee of trustees. These committees have a particular focus on governing safeguarding, pupil wellbeing and pupil progress/outcomes.

All of our trustees undergo enhanced disclosure and barring service (DBS), identify and other relevant checks prior to appointment. They undertake annual safeguarding and prevent training, alongside other induction and professional development courses. Trustee training and development is facilitated through our clerk/governance professional.

Our Trustees

• Davide Cason - Trustee (Chair) - Trusts & Business

Membership - 22.05.2019 - 10.10.2026

After 15 years working as Operations Manager and Director in various companies in the Rep. Of Ireland and the UK, Davide became an entrepreneur in the Hospitality, Foodtech, QRS (quick restaurant service) and Coffee industries to businesses seeking to expand into the franchise market. Davide was an MBA Students Mentor from 2015 to 2022 at Bayes Business School in London and holds a Bachelor in Political Science and a Master in Business Administration (MBA). Davide joined ASTRUM in May 2019 and is currently Chair of the Trust Board.

Davide joined Astrum because he was inspired by a John Fitzgerald Kennedy quote: “Ask not what your country can do for you – ask what you can do for your country.”

• Premal Patel ACMA CGMA - Trustee (Vice Chair) - Business & Finance

Membership - 12.12.2018 - 11.12.2025

Premal is an Associate member of the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants with over 10 years experience working within the private and public sector. Currently Premal is the Head of Finance for a retailer based in London, his specialism covers the field of Finance,  Business Management, Risk and Policy. Premal graduated from Kent University with a degree in Economics and is a passionate Golfer in his spare time.

• Ann Garrard - Trustee & Member - Trusts and Education

Membership - 27.09.2017 - 01.09.2025

My background is within education. I trained as a primary school teacher and worked full time until my son was born. His disabilities took me way from the classroom, though I continued to teach part time, and this led to my involvement with school since 1985. This has evolved from being a member of the PFA, a parent governor, a co-opted governor and finally a Member and Trustee of Astrum MAT. At various times I have been Chair of the PFA, Chair of Newbridge Governing Body and Chair of the Astrum MAT Board.

Back then, after my son became an Ethel Davis student, it soon became obvious that many decisions affecting our students were made arbitrarily and I became involved with the voluntary sector and working in partnership with the London Borough of Redbridge. Currently I am a Trustee of Disability Redbridge, involved with Ilford Shopmobility, a Trustee of Redbridge Council for Voluntary Service, with a particular involvement and interest in issues affecting children and young people. My involvement as a voluntary sector representative includes working with the Children’s Centres, being a member of the Redbridge Local Safeguarding Partnership’s Learning and Improvement sub group and the independent member for children and young people of the Redbridge Health and Wellbeing Board. Most recently I am now pat of the HAF steering group.

I continue to work for the neighbouring London Borough of Barking and Dagenham within the alternative education service. As a Home Tutor I work with students who are unable to attend school for extended periods due to health issues. I specialize working with SEND students and an important aspect of my role is supporting parents and carers.

I am very fortunate in having a strong support network from both my immediate family and our extended church family. For relaxation I read a lot and enjoy as much gardening as time permits.

• Emilio Chiquito - Trustee - Trusts & Legal

Membership - 16.09.2020 - 15.09.2024

• Natalie Morrison - Trustee - Housing & Young People

Membership - 09.12.2020 - 08.12.2024

As a Criminologist and Prison Officer, Natalie is passionate about prioritising mental health in schools. Astrum Multi Academy Trust's vision and commitment to empowering children and providing opportunities for effective learning and social interaction is inspiring. The trust's dedication to supporting pupils with complex special educational needs and disabilities in Redbridge and beyond is commendable. Education goes beyond the classroom, and the trust's commitment to improving educational standards and achievement gives pupils the best possible start in life.

• Sarah Mighall (FCIPD) - Trustee - HR

Membership - 09.05.2021 - 08.12.2024

Sarah brings over 15 years HR management and leadership to the Trust Board, gained across multiple sectors. Sarah is passionate about attracting, developing and engaging talent to drive performance.

• Lara Parr - Trustee, (CEO/Executive Headteacher) - Chief Accounting Officer

Finance, Audit & Risk Committee (FAR)

The Finance Audit and Risk Committee is responsible for monitoring and reviewing the management of all of the trust’s financial activities and associated risks.

• Premal Patel - Chair
• Davide Cason
• Emilio Chiquito
• Lara Parr 

People & Pay Committee (PAP)

The People and Pay Committee (PAP) is responsible for the ensuring that the Human Resourcing function in the trust is effective and fulfils all statutory duties.

• Ann Garrard - Chair
• Davide Cason
• Natalie Morrison
• Sarah Mighall
• Lara Parr

Contact

Chair of Trust Board - Davide Cason

161 Gresham Drive, Chadwell Heath, Essex RM6 4TR

T: 020 8590 7272       E: admin@astrum-mat.org