Paul Rickeard

I am the CEO of a relatively new trust (4 years) in the North of England that has now grown to 9 Primary Schools. The Trust comprises of small and rural as well as those in areas of deprivation in challenging urban areas. I feel I can offer a balanced approach to the development of strategic education in the North of England. As well as CEO of the Trust I am also the Diocesan Director for Education (DDE) for the Church of England Diocese of Durham and Newcastle with oversight of 107 schools from Berwick to Stockton. As both CEO and DDE I have seen first hand the difference strong Trusts can make in terms of accountability and partnership working, enabling children to flourish. As a DDE I am part of a national network which is working hard to deliver an appropriate strategy serving all schools, regardless of context, to reach their full potential.