Meet the Trustees

At River Tyne Academy, our Trustees play a vital role in supporting and challenging the Executive Team to ensure the effective governance of the Trust. They provide oversight of the Trust’s operations through a structured committee framework, allowing for comprehensive engagement with various aspects of school management.

Trustees hold specific responsibilities, including key areas such as Safeguarding and Whistleblowing, ensuring that critical issues are addressed with the utmost care and diligence. Our Local Governing Committees are chaired by Trustees, which guarantees that local community perspectives are represented at the Board level.

Regular visits to our academies allow Trustees to stay connected with the school environment and the needs of our pupils. During each meeting, we prioritise discussions around the impact of our initiatives on the outcomes for children and young people, ensuring that our decisions are always focused on enhancing their educational experiences and wellbeing.

Heather Ferguson

Chair of Trustees

Heather has a diverse professional background, beginning her career in banking at the Bank of Scotland, where she served for 10 years as the Executive Assistant to the Regional Manager for Central and West Lothian, based in Livingston. During her tenure, she navigated significant operational changes, including staff restructuring and the centralization of processing, as the number of branches decreased from 17 to 12 in the early 1990s.

After starting a family and relocating to Hurworth, Heather transitioned into education in 2004 as the Office Manager at Hurworth Primary School, one of the founding schools of Lingfield Education Trust in 2014. Her contributions have been vital to the growth and development of the Lingfield family.

Outside of her professional commitments, Heather enjoys music, socialising, playing tennis, gardening, and walking.

Pat Cambage

Business Director

Pat brings a wealth of experience to his role as Business Director, having previously served as the Director of Group Network Development, Governance, Risk, Compliance, and Legal at Volkswagen Group Ireland.

In addition to his corporate expertise, Pat is an active Board member of the International British Irish Chamber of Commerce, where he also chairs the Brexit Sub Committee. In this capacity, he plays a pivotal role in shaping Brexit business strategies for both the UK and Ireland.

His diverse skill set encompasses:

Strategic Development
Growth Management
Sales and Marketing
Governance, Risk, and Compliance (GRC)
Legal Expertise

With extensive international experience, Pat is committed to driving success and fostering collaboration across borders.

Christina Jones OBE

CEO, River Tees Multi-Academy Trust

Christina has served as the CEO of River Tees Multi-Academy Trust since April 2018. In her previous role as Trust Standards Lead, she was instrumental in the Trust’s sponsorship of River Tyne Academy in Gateshead.

With a strong background in school improvement and leadership, Christina brings valuable expertise to her role. She has extensive experience in Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND), having served as the lead SENDCO for several years. Her commitment to enhancing educational outcomes for all pupils drives her vision for the Trust, ensuring that every learner receives the support they need to thrive.

Mark Bruce

Trustee – Attendance & Safeguarding Lead / Whistleblowing Lead

Entrepreneur and Business Consultant

Mark is a seasoned entrepreneur who retired as the Director of his own Engineering Company. He founded his first business by the age of 21 and has since established a highly successful Precision Engineering Firm, followed by a thriving residential property business.

With a comprehensive skill set that spans the full spectrum of business management, growth, and human resources, Mark places a strong emphasis on identifying, training, motivating, and retaining the right talent, an essential element for any successful enterprise.

In his post-retirement phase, Mark dedicates one day a week to consulting for a Durham-based company, where he is focused on developing strategies to enhance turnover and profitability for an existing segment of the business. His wealth of experience and insights continue to drive success in the industry.

Lorna McLean

Trustee – Chair of Estates Management Committee

Principal, King Edwin School (Spark of Genius North East)

Lorna is the Principal of King Edwin School in Stockton-on-Tees, a special school dedicated to supporting pupils with Social, Emotional, and Mental Health (SEMH) needs and Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).

In addition to her role at King Edwin School, Lorna has provided valuable support and governance to Bishopton Pupil Referral Unit in Stockton-on-Tees for over three years. Lorna’s commitment to fostering an inclusive and supportive learning environment is central to her leadership approach.

Samina Javed-Sarwar

Trustee

Governance Professional

Samina brings extensive knowledge of governance to her role, having begun her career as a Governance Partner for a Multi-Academy Trust (MAT) that encompasses over 38 schools. After a couple of years in this position, her passion for strategic governance led her to take on the role of Governance Professional for another MAT.

With a background in legal training, Samina is dedicated to collaborating with colleagues to ensure that the advice and guidance provided align with the organisation’s vision. She is particularly passionate about Equality and Diversity, dedicating her time as a trustee for a Community Interest Company (CIC) and serving as a governor at a local secondary school.

As a Justice of the Peace, Samina has further developed her commitment to fairness, ensuring that all individuals entering the justice system in Teesside are treated equitably. Her multifaceted experience and dedication to governance and community service make her a valuable asset in her roles.

Kay Taylor

Trustee – Chair of People Committee

Co-Founder, Origin People and Culture

Kay is a seasoned senior leader and a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD), boasting a distinguished career that spans the education, third sector, local government, retail, and police authority sectors. Her diverse experience equips her with a nuanced, cross-sector perspective on complex people challenges.

With a strong track record in strategic leadership, Kay has successfully designed, developed, and implemented impactful People Strategies that align with organisational values and drive sustainable performance. She possesses a deep understanding of the systemic barriers that can hinder effective people management and excels at navigating these challenges to deliver meaningful change.

Kay’s core expertise lies in unlocking performance, managing complexity, and fostering cultures of engagement and accountability. She is passionate about leadership development and organisational culture, known for her ability to inspire and develop individuals, teams, and partnerships. Her commitment to cultivating compassionate, strategic leadership enhances both organisational effectiveness and individual potential.

Most recently, Kay co-founded Origin People and Culture with her business partner, Liz Elwell. Origin People provide expert, tailored support to organisations facing complex people issues that impact performance and capability. Their mission is simple: “HR that works… so you can too.”