Mrs Anita Ward - Chair of Trustees & Member of the Education & Standards Committee

Area of responsibility: Safeguarding, Attendance & Behaviour

Mrs Ward is delighted to have joined the Board of Directors at Leigh Trust. Her association with Leigh Trust began through her involvement with Marlborough School where she was chair of the Interim Executive Board, and subsequently a school governor. Mrs Ward believes passionately that every child should be given the best start possible in life and a good education is a right not a privilege.  A solid education is the building block to ensure that as a child grows into adulthood, he or she achieve their best potential. Having served as a City Councillor for 20 years, one of Mrs Wards roles, including being the Chair of the Education and Vulnerable Children Overview and Scrutiny Committee was to oversee, scrutinise and challenge the Council’s performance on issues which included School Improvement, Special Educational Needs, Education Welfare & Inclusion and Children’s Social Services; she also served as the City’s Lord Mayor. Mrs Ward currently work for a third sector organisation involved in achieving better live outcomes for people and their local communities by tackling health & social inequalities.

Mrs J Matthiae - Vice Chair, Trustee & Member on the Education & Standards Committee

Area of responsibility: Pillar 2: School Improvement / SEND

Mrs Matthiae is a retired Head Teacher and was previously, Mrs Matthiae was a member on the IEB at Marlborough Junior School. When Marlborough Infant and Marlborough Junior Schools joined the Trust in January 2019, Mrs Matthiae remained on the LGB and recently stepped down so that her role as Director could be fulfilled. Mrs Matthiae was attracted to this role because she said the Trust's ethos, vision and rigor it generates raises standards and achievements for the pupils within the schools and that the Directors show passion, commitment and team spirit. Mrs Matthiae has worked for over 40 years in the primary sector, previously a DHT then HT , she can bring vasts amount of skills, expertise and knowledge to the Board. The skills set that Mrs Matthiae can bring to the Board are Strategy and Leadership, Data Analysis, Attainment, Progress and Leadership, Financial Planning and Governance.

Mrs S Raybould - Trustee

Area of responsibility: Wellbeing

Mrs Raybould started as a Parent Governor at Leigh Primary School over 15 years ago, continuing as a co-opted governor and was Chair of Leigh Governors for four years. This is in part due to the fond memories her son has of the school at what was such an important stage in his life and has provided him with a strong ethos for education, travel and social skills. The foundation the school provided him has helped him to obtain a first class degree in International Business Management. 

Growing up in Washwood Heath, educated locally and having strong ties in the local community, Mrs Raybould was drawn to the role during her son’s time there because of the school ethos, the schools approach to educating every child, removing barriers to learning. Also the personal development not just for herself but for the staff, volunteers and other schools in the area, the school having good links with the community. This role enables her to give something back to the community and school, whilst supporting the school to provide the same ethos and standards to the children in an ever evolving education arena. 

Being part of the Governing body ensures that the provisions made by the school meet individual needs; values difference whilst promoting a culture of dignity and respect within the school and the community. Mrs Raybould is presently a community specialist nurse working with children, young people and adults who have inherited blood conditions (Sickle Cell and Thalassemia) for the past nineteen years. 

Her nursing career started in 1984 with qualifications as a general nurse (adults), sick children nurse and health visitor. Working in hospital and community settings with a qualification in clinical teaching. Mrs Raybould has degrees in community health nursing and nursing studies, recently qualifying as a nurse prescriber. Mrs Raybould has a vast amount of experience working with children and young people with a wide range of needs and uses her experience and knowledge to support the well-being of children with varying needs and the safeguarding ethos of the Trust. As a senior nurse she brings skills in management; safer selection and recruitment; research; networking; child care; health and well-being; finance insight (as similar to health education has also had budget restrictions and challenges). Experience working with multi agencies on Safeguarding and Domestic violence committees.

Mr B Carmicheal - Trustee

Area of responsibility:  Pillar 3: Work Force

Brian is a proud Birmingham man; he has dedicated his life to serving and improving his local community. Born and raised in the local neighbourhoods of Washwood Heath, Ward End and Stechford, Brian attended local schools before pursuing further education. With a long-held aspiration to join the police force, Brian realised his dream by joining the West Midlands Police after college.

Over a distinguished thirty-year career, Brian climbed the ranks to become a senior officer, making a significant impact on countless lives, both within the West Midlands and across the nation. His time in the police force was marked by a commitment to justice, community service, and leadership, earning him respect and recognition amongst his peers and the community.

Upon retiring from the police force, Brian channelled his passion for fairness and safety into the business world by founding his own HR consultancy. His company is dedicated to creating equitable and safe work environments, reflecting his lifelong dedication to helping others.

A proud family man, Brian cherishes the time spent with his loved ones and friends. His active lifestyle includes participating in various local sports teams and being a regular at his local gym. Brian's commitment to giving back extends to his advocacy for the Anthony Nolan charity, where he had the profound honour of donating his stem cells to help save a sick child.

Brian’s unwavering dedication to his community, both in his professional career and personal life, drives him to continue to inspire and make a difference in the lives of many.

Mrs A Siddiqa - Trustee & Member on the Finance, Audit & Risk Committee

Area of responsibility: Inclusion

Miss Siddiqa is a Finance Manager for Shrewsbury & Telford Hospital NHS Trust. As a public sector employee, Miss Siddiqa is passionate about the positive changes we can make for the betterment of society. Education is a key aspect in the development of an individual. As a former pupil of Leigh Primary School she valued her teaching and development in the earlier parts of her life which ultimately, shaped Miss Siddiqa into the individual that she is. As a Leigh Trust Director, it is paramount to be able to challenge and offer insight and alternative ways of thinking in ensuring the Trust continues to meet and achieve targets which are beneficial for all. Miss Siddiqa believes her skills, expertise and background can support the Board in meeting its objectives. This role will allow Miss Siddiqa to make a valuable contribution to the Trust and the community. Miss Siddiqa believes it is important to give back to the community and welcome the opportunity to be able to support Leigh Trust to create the best working environment for the staff and provide the finest education to children. The skill set that Miss Siddiqa can bring to the Board are Analytical skills, Management Accounting, Budgeting and Forecasting.

Mrs A Ravat - Trustee & Member on the Education & Standards Committee

Area of responsibility: Pillar 1: High Quality & Inclusive Education

Asima has over 20 years’ experience serving in schools across Birmingham. She is the Principal of Oasis Academy Foundry where she has been a senior leader for 10 years. Her leadership is deeply rooted in a moral purpose to serve with integrity and improve the life chances of all children. She leads a nurturing environment that promotes wellbeing, inclusive practice and provides high quality learning experiences for all. Under Asima’s Headship, the school has been rated Outstanding.

The school has been on a journey on the brink of closure to being beacon of best practice and holds numerous accredited awards including the IQM (Inclusion Quality Mark) with Flagship status for inclusion. Asima is a National Lead Practitioner for the Oasis Trust leading on Attendance across Primary and Secondary schools. She has previously led on EY as a National Lead practitioner supporting Primaries across the Trust. She was a member of the EY Local Authority Moderating Team for Early Years and has supported schools in challenging circumstances through her SLE role. Asima is passionate about sharing best practice and facilitates for the NIOT to deliver National Professional Qualification (NPQ’s) to aspiring leaders and teachers nationally. Her extensive leadership experience will provide valuable contribution to the Leigh Trust trustee board.

Mrs Naziah Rasheed - Trustee & Member on the Finance, Audit & Risk Committee

Area of responsibility: Pillar 4 - Finance & Operations

Mrs Rasheed has held numerous positions in Accounting and Finance roles over a period of 17 years from Telecommunications to British Manufacturing industries, helping businesses to grow to their potential.

In addition to her finance career, Mrs Rasheed is deeply committed to community activism. As a passionate advocate for social change, she has initiated and led numerous projects focused on empowering underserved communities. Through grassroots campaigns, Mrs Rasheed has organized fundraising events, collaborated with local non-profits, and spearheaded initiatives that have positively impacted education, affordable housing, and environmental sustainability."

Driven by her belief in the power of finance and community engagement, Mrs Rasheed is dedicated to bridging the gap between financial prosperity and social well-being. Mrs Rasheed's ultimate goal is to continue leveraging her finance expertise and community activism to drive systemic change, promote financial inclusivity, and create a more equitable society where everyone has the opportunity to thrive.

Mr Robert Cummins - Trustee & Member on the Finance, Audit & Risk Committee

Area of responsibility: Pillar 5: Leadership & Governance

Robert originally trained as a Chemistry Teacher and taught in Tipton and Kingshurst, making his home in Shard End. He then worked for the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) in a number of roles, latterly in supporting the organising conferences in Road, Home and Occupational safety. His final career was with Birmingham City Council in Corporate Procurement Services where he was involved in several project teams from projects ranging from lad referencing, insurance, home to school transport, 'meals on wheels' , new schools, sexual health services etc.

Robert outside work has had a number of interests, over the years, such as Colony Holidays for School Children, Scout movement, UNICEF, peace movements, LGBT+ and is currently on the Grants committee of the Hodge Hill Neighbourhood and Birmingham and Solihull Integrated Care Partnership.

Following a period as a Governor at both Leigh and Marlborough Primary Schools he has now putting his skills as a trustee and as a member of the Finance, Risk and Audit Committee to help ensure the resources are available to give the children in our care the best start in life.

Mrs R Yasmeen - CEO, Trustee & Accounting Officer