Our Governors
Adele Humble
Chair of Governors
Trust Appointee
Term of Office: 15/12/2022 – 14/12/2026
Adele is a senior HR professional with over 20 years’ experience of working in both private and public sector organisations. Currently the Strategic HR Manager for Kirklees Council, working across all Children’s Services and schools across the district. Prior to joining Kirklees in 2016, Adele was the Corporate HR Manager for Bradford Council, having responsibility for all workforce matters across the full breadth of council services. She has a key connection to the city having studied for her degree at Bradford and Ilkley Community College, many years ago!
Adele leads on strategic development and engagement with workforces across several HR specialist areas, working with senior leaders, governors, head teachers and trade unions.
In addition, she is also the Chair of Governors of a local primary school in Huddersfield.
Simon Dennis
Trust Appointee
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.
Father Paul Wheelhouse
Trust Appointee
Ex-officio Governor
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.
Katie Waring
BDAT Director of Professional and Career Development
Term of office: 10/09/2023 – 09/09/2027
Katie joined BDAT in January 2020 and as the Director of Professional and Career Development strategically leading the Trust’s vision to support school improvement by recruiting, developing and retaining highly competent and confident staff to deliver high quality education so every child can fulfil their potential and goals. Before joining BDAT, Katie worked as a teacher in both the primary & secondary phases before moving into staff development, particularly in Initial Teacher Training. She chairs the Bradford for Teaching ITT group.
Katie is a Research Lead for both the Bradford and Oldham Research Schools. She recently worked as part f the team that wrote the Kusuma Improving Secondary Science Implementation support course for the EEF.
In January 2021, Katie was awarded Fellowship of the Chartered College for Teaching for her demonstration of high standards of professionalism; commitment to engaging in relevant, career-long professional learning and critical engagement with research and evidence.
Victoria Burrows
Staff (Teaching) Governor
Term of office: 24/06/2021 – 23/06/2025
Victoria is currently Associate Assistant Principal with responsibility for Alternative Provision at Bradford Forster Academy. She is a teacher of science with expertise in teaching all three sciences. She is passionate about increasing the choices that our students have and educating them to ensure they leave with the most possible options open to them.
Having not worked only in education, Victoria brings a breadth of knowledge from other careers such as her own business, mortgage sales as well as going to university as a full time student at the age of 30 with 2 young children.
Lisa Mason
Trust Appointee - Parent Governor
Term of Office: 09/12/2021 - 08/12/2025
Term of Office: 09/12/2021 - 08/12/2025
Lisa Mason is a parent governor, she has 4 children, with 2 currently attending BFA. She teaches ESOL for a local charity and is actively involved in a local church. Lisa has experience of parenting with additional needs and has previously worked in SEND settings as a physiotherapist.
She is passionate about celebrating the diverse backgrounds and experiences of the children and families who are all part of Bradford Forster Academy.
Jonathan Gardner
Trust Appointee
Term of Office: 20/10/2022 - 19/10/2026
Term of Office: 20/10/2022 - 19/10/2026
Rob Robinson
Trust Appointee - Parent Governor
Term of Office: 09/12/2021 - 08/12/2025
Term of Office: 09/12/2021 - 08/12/2025
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.
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.
Vinay Verma
Trust Appointee
Term of Office: 22/02/2024 - 21/02/2028
Term of Office: 22/02/2024 - 21/02/2028
Abigail Thomas
Trust Appointee - Parent Governor
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.
Gemma Earles
