We have significant experience in academy trust governance professional, company secretary and clerking roles, as well as providing advisory support to trusts. Our deep understanding of working in academy governance, and care for our growing community of governance professionals, informs everything we deliver through Trust Governance Professionals.
Emma Perkin
Emma is an expert in academy trust governance working with a vast array of education sector clients including delivering governance reviews, mentoring and development of governance teams. Emma is a highly experienced governance professional and prior to setting up her consultancy was Head of Governance for Ark Schools. Emma is a trainer in academy governance for The Chartered Governance Institute and mentor for the CST Governance Leaders Programme. Emma set up and runs the MAT Governance Group for governance professionals in the largest trusts across England.
“I vividly remember my first day at Ark. I was responsible for the governance across the Trust and at that time 17 schools in four parts of England. Navigating the complexity of relationships with the board, executive team, school leaders and governors was a fascinating and also demanding part of my role. I wanted one place through which I could find out what areas of governance I needed to develop based on the latest guidance, why I had to develop them, the resources to support this work and a community of friendship to help me achieve it. That is why Anna, Rachael and I set up Trust Governance Professionals and that is what we are building – join us.”
Rachael Bailey
Rachael brings many years' experience in education and charity governance, in both professional and voluntary roles. As a practitioner, Rachael works as a consultant in the academy sector, delivering governance reviews, developing processes and resources, and also running training - this builds on extensive experience in broader consultancy work in the public sector. Rachael has provided governance support and expertise for schools in the academy and maintained sectors, she was a member of the governance team for Ark Schools, and was a school governor for many years. She combines her work in education with work in charity governance and is also a trustee for a grant-giving charity.
“I have a strong belief in the value of drawing on good practice and learning from others – and avoiding ‘reinventing the wheel’. Trust Governance Professionals provides information, advice and bespoke resources. We also place a great value on the people who join us. Our community brings insight, knowledge and experience of our developing roles and it is great to see this shared to strengthen the governance and ultimately the education that trusts and schools provide.”
Anna Machin
Anna is an experienced governance professional and chartered company secretary, and is an Associate and trainer for The Chartered Governance Institute. She works with a number of academy trusts both in the company secretary role, and advising on governance and technical compliance matters. This includes acting as governance professional for Reach Academy Trust and Kensington Aldridge Academy and Reach Academy Trust. She previously worked at Ark Schools delivering the full range of corporate governance activity across board and committee secretariat, risk, audit, policies, compliance and data protection. Anna has a Masters in Corporate Governance, Certificate in Charity Law & Governance and is a certified GDPR practitioner.
"I was lucky to be part of a wider team during my time at Ark Schools, and was motivated to start Trust Governance Insight in order to build a growing community of governance professionals. I also know from practical experience that in this role, there are never enough hours in the day! – and so it is great to be able to provide resources and guidance to help our group save time, and profile new and innovative ways to improve trust governance"