Central Trust Team

Angela Holdsworth - MBE

Chief Executive Officer

Angela is the CEO of The Sea View Trust, an all-age inclusive Multi Academy Trust (MAT). She has extensive school Leadership experience across a number of Local Authorities and, in addition to her CEO role, she enjoys undertaking strategic partnership work, including being actively involved in a number of Special Educational Needs and Disability (SEND) based initiatives. Angela is an experienced and a high-profile Leader of SEND. Her focus is to champion the disadvantaged, whilst remaining passionate about the ‘inclusive agenda’, and she provides independent advice and guidance for inclusive system improvement. Angela is a staunch advocate for the self-improving school-led system, inclusion and cross-phase collaboration, and has been working with North West partners for many years to develop this. Furthermore, she remains highly committed to developing all staff, including identifying and supporting future leaders, whilst also championing the ‘Women in Leadership’ agenda. As a passionate Leader of SEND, Angela’s significant contribution to this field of education was recognised by the award of an MBE in the New Year Honours List 2022.

Andrew Hurley

School Improvement Lead

Andrew has worked in a range of leadership roles in the primary education sector for the past 35 years. This has included experience of working in four different schools, eight years as a headteacher, four years as a Lancashire primary adviser and four years in higher education developing Initial Teacher Training at the University of Cumbria. Andrew’s professional qualifications include the National Professional Qualification for Headteachers (NPQH), School Improvement Partner accreditation and a PgC in Learning & Teaching for Higher Education. His previous role before joining the central team was Deputy Headteacher at Anchorsholme Academy in Blackpool, a member school of The Sea View Trust. During this time, he jointly founded a successful School Direct programme. He has been a school governor for over 30 years and is currently Chair of the Local Governing Committee at Revoe Learning Academy and a Trustee of the Fylde Coast Academy Trust (FCAT).

Louise Parrish

Executive Headteacher and Specialist School Improvement Lead

Louise is Executive Headteacher and Specialist School Improvement Lead. She has 20 years of experience as a special school leader working from the early years through to FE and post 19 adult education. Louise has significant experience of supporting schools and MATs with locally and nationally funded projects, working closely with the DfE, nasen and Whole School SEND.  As the Trust’s lead for the Behaviour Hub programme, to improve Behaviour Culture and as an experienced SEND Reviewer, she has worked with a number of stakeholders and leaders to action plan both in the long and short-term, leading to SMART sustainable improvement. The advice and support Louise gives, is evidence informed, drawing heavily on nasen and EEF resources. Louise has had significant engagement with the National Professional Qualifications (NPQ) Suite, writing materials for the Adaptive Teaching and SEND and Additional Needs Unit and writing a Unit for the NPQ SENDCo. Louise's professional qualifications include the National Professional Qualification for Headteachers (NPQH) and he National Professional Qualification for Executive Leadership (NPQEL). Louise has worked with and in a number of governance roles, at a school (mainstream and special) and Trustee (MATs and Arts organisation) level and has provided training to education governance professionals at all levels. Louise has a passion for inclusion, working with leaders (schools/colleges, employers) to better understand local barriers and how to overcome them. Learner voice is at the centre of her decision making, ensuring that all proposed strategic and operational change will benefit the learners and their families.

Laura Watts

Chief Financial Officer

Laura is the Chief Financial Officer at the Trust. She is a qualified Chartered Accountant, with over 15 years experience working in finance. She started her career working for Blackpool Council, providing financial support across all areas including corporate services, public health, social care and education. She managed the Blackpool Council school finance team, providing strategic advice and guidance to maintained schools in Blackpool, and also providing accountancy services to a multi academy trust. Laura has also worked for the NHS as a Management Accountant. At The Sea View Trust, Laura is responsible for managing the financial position of the trust, including maintaining financial probity, ensuring compliance with the Academy Trust Handbook, completion of statutory returns including the Annual report and Financial Statements, and supporting schools to maximise funding and ensure efficient use of resources.

Nicola Chester

Chief Operating Officer

Nicola is the Chief Operating Officer at the Trust. She has 34 years experience in education, and started her career working for the education department of Lancashire County Council. The latter years at LCC she worked in the schools finance department, and was a named finance officer for a group of around 30 schools. In 2002 she moved into a school setting as a Business Manager. She has 22 years experience in schools, working at three different high schools and a special school as School Business Manager. She project managed two schools' academy conversions and was instrumental in the creation of a new MAT in Blackburn, where she was part of the pre-opening team for a new special free school in Blackpool. Nicola joined The Sea View Trust in June 2021 and is responsible for managing all operational aspects including HR management, growth projects, IT, catering, estates, resources, risk, health and safety, policy development, marketing and communications. Nicola is a qualified accounting technician and holds both the CSBM and DSBM qualifications, and the CIPFA Level 7 Diploma in School Financial and Operational Leadership.

Sam Drummond

Trust Business Lead

Sam is a Trust Business Lead, working closely with the COO and providing dedicated support and guidance to the Business and Finance Leads in our academies, whilst also working on Trust priorities. She has worked in education for over 20 years in various roles across a High School, Special School, and most recently for 10 years as the Business Manager at one of the Primary Academies in our Trust, where she managed their conversion to academy status. Sam is AAT qualified and holds the CSBM and CIPD qualifications. Sam joined the Central Team in September 2021.

Janice Heywood

Trust Business Lead

Janice is a Trust Business Lead, working closely with the COO and providing dedicated support and guidance to the Business and Finance Leads in our academies, whilst also working on Trust priorities. Janice has worked in the primary education sector for over 25 years, latterly as the Business Manager at one of the academies in our Trust, where she managed both the school and associated Children’s Centre finances and conversion to academy status. Janice holds the Professional Diploma in Accounting and holds the CSBM qualification. Janice joined the Trust Central team in September 2021.

Darren McGinnis

Trust IT Manager

Darren is the IT Manager of the Trust. He has over 23 years experience in education in both primary and secondary education. Darren has been the ICT Manager at one of the Trust schools, Anchorsholme Academy, for over 6 years. Previously he spent nearly 13 years working as an ICT Manager at a High School in Chorley, and prior to that he was a Primary ICT Technician at large High School in Poulton for 4 years. He has also been a staff Governor at Anchorsholme Academy, with various roles such as the Chair of the Finance, Audit, Resource and Risk (FARR) sub-committee, and a lead governor role in Safeguarding & Safer Recruitment.

Ian Tunbridge

Trust Management Accountant

Ian is the Trust Management Accountant. He has 20 years experience in education finance with Lancashire County Council. The last 17 years at LCC in the schools finance team, being named finance officer for around 20 schools with considerable experience gained from a varied and diverse mix of schools including large secondaries, all through special schools and large primary schools. He has been involved with many of the LCC school academy conversions including Tor View. Ian has previously gained other accountancy experience from 12 years of business ownership and other self employment business interests. Ian is AAT qualified and holds the CIPFA Financial Reporting for Academies qualification. Ian joined the Trust Central team in August 2023.

Fiona Evans

Executive Personal Assistant

Fiona has 18 years experience in education in various roles. She has worked for the last 12 years as a teacher in a large secondary school, teaching ICT and Computer Science. She has also worked for a short time in a special school. Fiona has lots of experience with SEND, previously working as a Teaching Assistant and later as Assistant SENDCo. She holds the CPT3A and NASENCO qualifications. Alongside her career in education she has worked doing administrative support for family businesses. Fiona joined the Central Team in September 2023 as Angela’s Executive PA.

Rachel Tapley

Senior Speech and Language Therapist

Rachel has 24 years' experience working as a Speech and Language Therapist, she has spent most of her time working in education settings in both mainstream and special schools. She has been working in two of the Trust's schools; Tor View School for the past 6 years and Revoe Learning Academy for the past 3 years. Rachel is now responsible for managing the Speech and Language therapy provision across the Trust. She is a member of the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists and the Health care Professions Council. Prior to training as a Speech and Language Therapist. Rachel worked as a general nurse initially in acute hospital settings then in a residential school for children with special needs. It was this experience that inspired Rachel to change her career path, she is committed to ensuring that all learners have a voice and can achieve their potential.

Noor Akhtar

Speech and Language Therapist

Noor is a qualified Speech and Language Therapist who graduated from the University of Manchester in 2023. She joined the Sea View Central Trust Team in September 2024 and plays a key role in providing speech and language support across all schools within the trust. Noor is passionate about supporting learners of all abilities and committed to fostering inclusive communication strategies to help learners reach their full potential.