Chester Diocesan Academies Trust

CDAT Central Team

Securing a high standard of education for the children in all our schools is the heart of CDAT's work. We know, though, that a lot goes on in the background to make sure that our teaching staff are able to deliver a broad, balanced and engaging curriculum.

Neil Dixon (CEO) – Neil joined CDAT as CEO in May 2019, having spent the previous three years working for Ofsted as one of Her Majesty's Inspectors (HMI). Prior to that, Neil was headteacher of a Church of England primary school in Liverpool diocese. That school moved from having a 'notice to improve' (2003) to Ofsted 'outstanding' (2008) and was one of the first cohort of Teaching Schools nationally.

School Improvement Team:

Supporting our schools to be the best they can be is central to CDAT's work. To allow us to do that, we have a small, core School Improvement team, supplemented by expertise from professional partners and strong practitioners within our own schools. Our School Improvement Team consists of:

Kerry McLean (Director of Education) - Kerry is CDAT's Director of Education and she oversees school improvement across the trust. Kerry has worked as a Headteacher and Executive Headteacher within CDAT since 2018. Her main areas of focus are leadership and management, assessment, safeguarding and curriculum. She has a particular passion for Early Years and Phonics and has experience of leading small schools and working within other multi-academy trusts.

Lisa Sharkey (Early Years Strategic Lead) – Lisa joined the CDAT team having previously worked extensively in St Helens – initially in school leadership and then in senior positions within the local authority's Early Years and School Improvement teams. Her particular areas of strength being Early Years, Attendance and improving outcomes for disadvantaged pupils.

Leanne Shaw (Teaching and Learning Strategic Lead) - Leanne joined the CDAT team in September 2022 as School Advisor, having previously worked extensively in Warrington both as a senior leader in a large and very successful primary school and latterly as an advisor, specialising in teaching, learning and curriculum development. Leanne also manages CDAT's ITT programmes.

Grace Page (Inclusion Strategic Lead) – Grace joined CDAT in 2022, having had over 18 years experience in specialist and mainstream education and Early Years settings within several Local Authorities. During this time, Grace has worked as a SENDCo, Inclusion Manager and Senior Leader in a number of schools and within another Church of England Multi-Academy Trust in Lancashire. Grace has a real passion for enhancing education for all children, developing inclusive cultures and embedding effective behaviour and relationships policies, supporting schools on their journey towards being fully inclusive. Grace also leads on partnership working with parents.

Emma Drew (Cluster Lead) -Emma brings a wealth of expertise to her role as Cluster Lead, drawing on her extensive experience as a Headteacher across a diverse range of educational settings. As a dedicated Christian leader, she is highly regarded for her ability to foster inclusive, values-driven environments that inspire both staff and pupils to flourish.

Yasmin Jones (Cluster Lead) - Yasmin serves as a Cluster Lead with a broad portfolio, bringing significant expertise to the trust through her leadership of Initial Teacher Training (ITT) and the development of Early Career Teachers (ECTs).

Jane Creed (BC Education) - Jane delivers all trust wide CPD for English. This includes development days for Writing Leads. She also offers bespoke support to schools.

Toni Priddey (First4Maths Academy) – Toni and her team deliver all trust wide Maths CPD. This includes development days for Maths Leads, as well as year group specific training.

Matt Dickson (The Education People) – Matt and his team support CDAT schools with KS2 statutory assessments and moderation.

CDAT also have excellent relationships with The English Hub at Lacey Green, ensuring schools can access high quality support and resources.

We also work in close partnership with all seven Local Authorities.

Finance and Operations:

Tom Nixon (Director of Finance) – Tom joined CDAT in May 2025, having had a wide and varied career working in school finance. Prior to joining the CDAT team, Tom has had experience as CFO of another multi-academy trust, and working for other education support organisations. As well as his role as Director of Finance, Tom is also CDAT's CFO.

Chris Williams (Director of Operations) – Chris joined CDAT in September 2023, having had over twenty years of experience in education: in a local authority education department, diocesan education service, and a MAT. In his previous role as a diocesan officer, Chris' principal areas of responsibility included school organisation, admissions, school place planning, and capital, also working on a broad range of other operational and educational matters with schools across eight local authority areas. He is a foundation governor at a joint Catholic and Church of England primary school in Liverpool.

Judith Castledine (Governance & Compliance Manager and Clerk to the Board) – Judith has been in post as CDAT's Governance & Compliance Manager since June 2023. Prior to this appointment she was employed for ten years at Stockport Council as Senior Governor Support Officer, working with maintained school governing boards and academy trust LGBs and trust boards. In June 2021 Judith gained her Level 3 Certificate in the Clerking of School and Academy Governing Boards.

Emma Furlong - Emma provides administrative support for all of our CPD programmes, including the NPQs, and for our School Direct provision as well. Emma also administers the joint CDAT/CDBE Headteacher Consultant offer and provides support for governor training and appointments.

Dawn Lloyd (School Business Support Officer)
Vera Thomas (School Business Support Officer)
Claire Barker (School Business Support Officer)
Jennifer Wheelhouse (Finance Assistant)

Jacob Hart (Operations Assistant)

Millie De'Lucia (Marketing and Communication) - Millie leads the Trust’s marketing and communications, driving a cohesive digital presence through her strategic management of social media and central publications. She works closely with individual schools to amplify their unique stories, ensuring their successes reach the wider community effectively. Her creative approach and expert support help our schools maintain a vibrant, professional, and engaging brand identity.

Professional Partners

CDAT work with a small number of well-respected Professional Partners who provide specific, specialist services for the trust.

Our current Professional Partners are:

Working With Schools – HR, payroll and pensions
Stone King – Legal support
Jeanne Fairbrother Associates – Health and Safety
Second 2 None School Support – Governance and Clerking
Veritau – DPO services