Governance

John Mason was appointed as a CDAT Trustee in September 2021 and has been the Chair of its Board since September 2022. He started his professional career in 1980 as a research physicist before moving into financial and project management. In 1996 he took part in a management buyout of LGC which became a large international technical services business. After a period as the Secretary of the Diocese of Chester starting in 2006, he subsequently returned to the commercial world as the Finance Director of a medical devices start-up until 2019. He has been a lay member of the Church of England's General Synod since 2010, is a Director of the Chester Diocesan Board of Finance, and remains an active member of his local church having been its treasurer for over 20 years. He is currently its PCC Secretary.

I have been a Chair of Governors in faith, maintained and academy schools for the last 20 years and currently work in Governance for a large Multi Academy Trust I am delighted to use the skills and knowledge I have built up in this time in my role as a director of CDAT and hope to work to ensure all our family of schools are rooted in clear, Christian values. I see my role as ensuring CDAT develops in line with its vision and continues to serve our schools and their communities by providing an excellent education for all.

David is a retired Vicar and has served as a primary and secondary school governor for most of the last 30 years, mainly as Chair. He also served as the Diocesan representative on Halton LEA. He is very concerned about the roles schools have in their communities and how those relationships can be used and developed.

Mike Holland has been a member of the CDAT board since 2015. He has worked in education for 37 years, including 18 years as a Headteacher at a Cheshire Church of England secondary school. He attends St John's church in Hartford and in his spare time volunteers for the National Trust. He is a long suffering but loyal supporter of Walsall Football Club.

Ralph retired from working at Dulwich College in 2015 and moved from London to Chester. He now sits on a number of Multi Academy Trusts in the North West as a Trustee and Director. He also acts as an advisor to one of London's large independent prep schools. He is a Senior Associate at AQA. He is the Head Server at Chester Cathedral.

Chris is Director of Education for the Diocese of Chester, and has held the post since 2017. He has an extensive background and experience in education, spanning over 25 years and has worked in a number of senior roles and settings, predominantly in the primary phase, including ten years as headteacher of a Church of England primary school. Chris leads the Diocesan Board of Education team of officers, providing a range of services and support to schools, working alongside strategic partners that include local authorities, Academy Trusts, the Regional Director's office and the Church of England Education Office.

Betty Renshaw is one of the founder directors of CDAT appointed in March 2013 and Chaired the Board and the Finance Committee from 2016. From an early career in Banking, Betty then worked in education for 30+ years including 20 years in school business management. She piloted the National Development Programme for School Business Managers working with the DfE and the National College for School Leaders and was awarded the MBE for services to education in 2008. Betty also has had extensive financial experience outside of education including Chair of Chester DBF, a Church Commissioner and Parish Treasurer at her local church where she has worshipped for over 50 years.