Governance

Mrs Brown retired in 2016 from her role as Head of Education, Early Years and Complex Needs at Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council. She previously served as Head of Standards and Head of Participation at Sunderland City Council, spending 10 years at Assistant Director level with responsibility for leading high-quality education for children from the early years through to age nineteen. In total, she has 38 years of teaching and management experience in schools and colleges.

Since retirement, Mrs Brown has volunteered mainly as a trustee, supporting schools, colleges, and academies to provide the best outcomes for children and young people. She has been involved with the Foundation of Light since 2002 and continues to contribute as a member of its Education and Skills Committee.

She is Chair of Trustees at the Beacon School and is committed to ensuring the school provides life-changing opportunities for its students.

Interests and date interests commenced

Academy 360 (Governor - 15/11/2023)

Tony Cunningham is the former Executive Headteacher of a secondary and primary school in Washington and the former CEO of a Multi-Academy Trust in the same area. Tony also served as Chair of the Management Board of the Local Authority Pupil Referral Unit for permanently excluded pupils in Sunderland.

Tony is currently Chair of the Student Support, Standards and Attainment Committee.

Interests and date interests commenced

Oxclose Primary Academy (Other Governance Role)

Sandra recently retired from Sunderland City Council after 41 years which included working at a senior level managing services for adults and children.

Sandra was an accountant by profession and also previously held the position of Non-executive Director of Together for Children Sunderland, and is passionate about supporting and improving the life chances of all residents.

Interests and date interests commenced

Nil

Ros recently retired after a 35-year career in the sports industry, including 21 years in senior roles at The Football Association, where she was responsible for implementing grassroots strategies through the workforce in local County Football Associations. Ros has also served on the boards of London Sport and Sport England and is a qualified coach mentor.

Ros currently works two days a week as a teaching assistant in Learning Support at Harrogate Grammar School. She is a lifelong Sunderland fan and has held a season ticket for almost 50 years.

Interests and date interests commenced

Nil

Professor Roy Sandbach is Chair of the Innovation Board for the North East Local Enterprise Partnership. He is Director of the National Centre for Ageing Science & Innovation at Newcastle University and a Professor in the Faculty of Medical Sciences.

Professor Sandbach also holds visiting Professor positions at Northumbria University Business School, Cranfield University, and Central St Martin’s College of Arts & Design, London.

He chairs the North East leadership group of The Prince’s Trust and is actively involved in the creation of the North East Futures University Technical College, focusing on IT, Digital Science, and Healthcare Science.

Interests and date interests commenced

Laidlaw Schools Trust (Trustee - 17/1/2024)

WISE Academies (Member - 23/12/2019)

Beacon of Light Academy (Employee - 1/10/2023)

Denise Taylor was appointed Principal of the Beacon of Light School in January 2016.

Denise began her teaching career in 1994 in Sunderland as a teacher of Art at Pennywell School (now Academy 360), where she held successive roles including Deputy Head of House, Head of Art, Excellence in Cities Coordinator, and Academic and Business Mentor Coordinator.

Denise moved to Lord Lawson of Beamish Academy in 2006 as Director of Arts and later served as Assistant Principal until December 2015.

Interests and date interests commenced

Nil

Jamie is Director of Programmes at the Foundation of Light, the official charity of Sunderland AFC, where he manages and oversees delivery programmes across Sport & Play, Education, Health & Wellbeing, and the World of Work.

Jamie began coaching straight after leaving school and joined SAFC Community in 2001 as a casual football coach. In 2003 he joined the Foundation of Light as an Informal Educator, focusing on the Making Moves (Disability) project. Over the years, Jamie has managed the outreach site at Washington Millennium Centre, led the Football Development programme, directed the Football and Sport department, and in 2015 became Managing Director of the Foundation. He has also coached Sunderland AFC Academy U7 and U11 age groups for over 12 years.

Jamie has been a Director of the Foundation for the past four years, supporting all areas of the organisation and contributing to the development of the £20 million Beacon of Light project. He has completed UEFA B and Youth Module 3 coaching qualifications and a Level 5 in Leadership and Management.

Interests and date interests commenced

Foundation of Light (Business/Finance interests - 12/2/2001)

Interests and date interests commenced

Nil

Interests and date interests commenced

Nil