Our Governors
Debbie Neale
Chair of Governors
Trust Appointee - Chair of Governors
Term of Office: 02/10/2025 - 01/10/2029
Term of Office: 02/10/2025 - 01/10/2029
Information about Debbie will be displayed here shortly
Simon Dennis
Vice Chair
Trust Appointee - Vice Chair
Term of Office: 03/02/2024 - 02/02/2028
Term of Office: 03/02/2024 - 02/02/2028
Simon was born and bought up in the West Midlands but has lived in Bradford for all of his adult life having come to the city in 1982 to attend University.
Simon is a qualified accountant and worked for the Audit Commission for many years working as an auditor, inspector and regulator, later joining the accounting firm KPMG. Simon is now Rotherham Council’s Corporate Improvement and Risk Manager and is also the Director of Finance of Bradford Cathedral.
Simon is a Licensed Lay Minister and member of the Leadership Team at St John’s church in Great Horton. He is also the Independent Chair of the Audit Committee of the Anglican Diocese of Leeds.
Dan Styles
Ex-Officio Governor - Headteacher
Trust Appointee - Ex-Officio Governor
First Appointed: 13/04/2026
First Appointed: 13/04/2026
Dan joined Bradford Forster Academy as Headteacher in April 2026.
He brings over 20 years of experience in education, including Senior Leadership, Headship and Trust-wide school improvement roles in some of the highest performing schools in the country as well as in more challenging contexts with historic underperformance.
Dan has a strong track record of raising standards and outcomes for pupils, improving behaviour and attendance, and leading successful school improvement in a range of contexts, including as a secondary Headteacher in Bradford.
He is committed to ensuring every child receives an excellent education within a caring, ambitious and inclusive school community.
Father Paul Wheelhouse
Ex-Officio Governor
Trust Appointee - Ex-Officio Governor
First Appointed: 08/09/2020
First Appointed: 08/09/2020
Paul was a teacher and then head of department for 8 years in Bradford Middle schools and then redeployed to a Bradford Primary school during the reorganisation. During this time, he also worked for Bradford youth service as a Duke of Edinburgh outreach worker.
The following 7 years he was school chaplain in a large secondary school and Diocesan youth officer. He then trained in Durham for the ordained ministry, and served as curate in two West Yorkshire parishes. Paul is now the Vicar of the local Anglican Church, St John the Evangelist, Bierley.
Jonathan Gardner
Trust Appointee
Term of Office: 20/10/2022 - 19/10/2026
Term of Office: 20/10/2022 - 19/10/2026
Information about Jonathan will be displayed here shortly
Revd Duncan Milwain
Trust Appointee
Term of Office: 02/05/2024 - 01/05/2028
Term of Office: 02/05/2024 - 01/05/2028
Duncan was born and grew up in Oldham then studied law at Durham University before training and qualifying as a solicitor in London. He moved to Yorkshire in 2000 where he continued to practice law. His main areas of practice were private client law (advising individuals and families) and charity and social enterprise law.
The latter involved him becoming trustee of a number of charities and social enterprises – in fields of social exclusion, music and food waste. The latter involved him in a national enterprise working to reduce food waste and in him establishing a café in Saltaire based on these principles.
Duncan became ordained deacon in 2023 and as priest in 2024. He is currently Assistant Curate at Bradford Cathedral.
Olalekan Obisesan
Trust Appointee
Term of Office: 20/04/2023 - 19/04/2027
Term of Office: 20/04/2023 - 19/04/2027
Olalekan became a governor in 2023, driven by his passion for supporting children’s education – a passion deeply inspired by his mother, who was a teacher for 35 years. He works as a Charity Manager with an organisation that promotes educational initiatives about blood and organ donation. Prior to this role, Olalekan spent over seven years with a global anti-poverty non-profit, where he successfully led volunteer programmes across three continents: Africa, Europe and North America.
He has also volunteered with various educational initiatives, including teaching at a secondary school in northern Nigeria. In addition to his current role, Olalekan consults on project management, volunteer management, and social impact campaigning.
Rob Robinson
Trust Appointee
Term of Office: 09/12/2025 - 08/12/2029
Term of Office: 09/12/2025 - 08/12/2029
Information about Rob will be displayed here shortly
Abigail Thomas
Trust Appointee
Term of Office: 26/09/2024 - 25/09/2028
Term of Office: 26/09/2024 - 25/09/2028
Abi Thomas has lived in Bradford since 2017 and is a writer, presenter and podcast and radio producer. She also enjoys leading the kitchen team at the Grub Club at St John’s Bowling Church, running their youth group and facilitating a course for women who have been subjected to abuse.
She has 2 children at Bradford Forster Academy.
Trust Governor
Trust Appointee - Trust Governor
Term of Office: vacant
Term of Office: vacant
This position is vacant
Parent Governor
Trust Appointee - Parent Governor
Term of Office: vacant
Term of Office: vacant
This position is vacant
Parent Governor Nomination Form:
Parent Governor
Trust Appointee - Parent Governor
Term of Office: vacant
Term of Office: vacant
This position is vacant
Parent Governor Nomination Form:
Staff Governor
Trust Appointee - Staff Governor (Teaching)
Term of Office: vacant
Term of Office: vacant
This position is vacant
Staff Governor
Trust Appointee - Staff Governor (Support)
Term of Office: vacant
Term of Office: vacant
This position is vacant
