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Welcome to

Batley Multi Academy Trust

The Trust at the heart of the Batley community

Meet our Trust Central Team


Samantha Vickers 

Chief Executive Officer 

Sam became the Chief Executive Officer of our Trust in September 2021. Sam was previously the Headteacher of one of the secondary schools in our Trust, and she is also a Trustee of the Jo Cox Foundation and two other local charities. 

 

Sam has a degree in Molecular and Cellular Biology, and began her teaching career as a science teacher in Oldham in 1999. Sam has worked in challenging schools in Oldham, Kirklees and Bradford. During her teaching career she has also worked for the National Strategies to develop science teaching across primary, secondary and special schools, and was a School Improvement Partner in Bradford supporting schools across all phases with key aspects of leadership development and school improvement. 

 

Sam is passionate about the power of a great education to improve the life chances of all young people, regardless of their backgrounds or starting points, and to provide them with the very best start in life.

 

 

Allison Simpson

Chief Financial Officer

Allison joined the Trust team as the Trust’s Chief Financial Officer, her role is to manage and oversee the financial operations of the Trust, ensuring value for money and offering sound financial management, which supports the strategy and development plans of the Trust, as well as improving financial literacy across the Trust.   

 

Allison joined the Trust with a background in finance, education and project management. She started her career as a management accountant and then Finance Director in industry working for blue chip businesses, before changing career and qualifying as a teacher, teaching business studies at GCSE and A Level. Allison also has consultancy roles, combining her knowledge of finance and education. Allison is passionate about the role strong communities can play in supporting education and how this can improve the life chances of young people.

 

Karen Dack

Chief Operating Officer

Karen joined the team as our Chief Operating Officer, having worked previously as Operations Director for a successful through school. 

 

Prior to that role, Karen spent 18 years working in a financial services organisation with a large property portfolio with responsibility for property & facilities, H&S, strategic planning and procurement. She is passionate about working in Education and making a difference. Karen is ambitious for what all young people can achieve, regardless of their background or starting point and she is proactive in seeking opportunities to ensure all young people receive a first-class education. Karen also understands implicitly the value a great education can have on a young person’s life.

 

Karen has significant experience in dealing with a wide range of stakeholders including governors and outside agencies, her skillset and experience means she has the perfect blend of academic and business experience making her bilingual in the needs of schools and Trusts.

 

Karen is also a Trust Director and Deputy Chair of a Catholic Multi Academy Trust, serving schools across Kirklees and Calderdale. ​​​​​​

 

Lindsay McLean

Director of People and Talent

Lindsay has many years experience working in professional HR in local government before joining education in 2018. Lindsay was also a mature student graduating with her Level 7 Post Graduate Diploma in Human Resource Management in 2019. She is passionate about working with people, and ensuring the staff team is well supported, well looked after with high-quality, bespoke professional development. 
 
Lindsay has also held a Senior Leadership role at Upper Batley High School gaining significant and invaluable experience of school leadership and school improvement. 
 
As the Trust's Director of People and Talent (appointed October 2022), Lindsay leads on all strategic aspects of developing the organisation's staff, ensuring its people are supported and talent is harnessed. Lindsay has a lead role in our organisational talent spotting and succession planning. 
 
Lindsay began her career as an apprentice and is highly committed to offering employment opportunities and developing people at the early stages of their career, as staff are an organisation's most valuable resource. 

 

Laura Bland

Director of Compliance and Governance

Laura moved into the education sector in 2018 and joined the Trust’s Executive Team in 2019. As the Trust’s Director of Compliance and Governance, Laura is responsible for the strategic oversight of policy management, data protection, website management as well as promoting good governance practises across the Trust.   

 

Prior to this role, Laura spent 7 years working at two professional football clubs with stints in the Football League and Premier League. During her tenure at both clubs, her areas of focus were governance, HR, data management as well as overseeing the administration function - this background was the basis for her move into the education sector. Laura is passionate about the role education plays in improving the life chances of all young people, regardless of their background or starting point.