CEO and Central Team

Exceptional people. Proven expertise. One ambition for every child.

Our central team is one of Innovate2Educate Partnership's greatest strengths. It brings together an exceptional breadth of professional expertise, a strong record of achievement and a shared ambition to secure the very best education for every child. Working in close partnership with Trustees, headteachers, school leaders and Local Academy Committees, the team provides the strategic leadership, specialist knowledge and practical support that enable our schools to flourish.

Our central team combines proven educational leadership with expertise in school improvement, early years, SEND and inclusion, finance, governance, safeguarding, attendance and business operations. Together, colleagues provide both challenge and support, strengthen consistency across the Trust and create the capacity for innovation, collaboration and sustainable growth. Their collective experience allows school leaders to remain focused on what matters most: excellent teaching, strong outcomes and bright futures for every pupil.

Executive leadership

Kerry Rochester  |  Chief Executive Officer and Educational Leader

Kerry provides ambitious, values-led leadership for Innovate2Educate Partnership and has built a strong record of leading both educational and organisational improvement. Her distinguished career includes 18 years as a headteacher and executive headteacher, successfully leading two schools out of special measures, serving as a Director of Education and working for 18 years as an Ofsted inspector. A recipient of two national awards for leadership and curriculum development, Kerry brings exceptional educational credibility to the CEO role. Alongside her focus on standards, she leads the Trust's strategic development, financial sustainability, governance, organisational culture, workforce development and external partnerships. Her ability to unite educational ambition with effective organisational leadership ensures that I2E is well positioned to improve, innovate and grow while remaining firmly focused on the success of every child.

Sam Cosgrove  |  Director of Education Partner

Sam is a highly accomplished educational leader who brings significant strategic expertise and additional school improvement capacity to the Trust. As a former executive headteacher and academy trust CEO, she has an impressive record of strengthening vulnerable schools, developing leaders and improving outcomes. Her experience of successfully leading a trust through merger, contributing to improvement across a large group of schools and working as an Ofsted inspector makes her a highly valued source of insight, challenge and support.

Andrew Storer  |  Chief Finance Officer

Andrew provides expert financial leadership and ensures that the Trust's ambitions are underpinned by strong planning, assurance and long-term sustainability. A Fellow of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants, he brings extensive experience across professional accountancy, education finance and school business management. His sound judgement and detailed understanding of the sector enable Trustees and leaders to make confident, well-informed decisions that secure value for money and direct resources where they make the greatest difference.

Education and school improvement

Emily Calvert  |  School Improvement Partner

Emily is an innovative and inspiring school improvement leader who combines successful headship experience with exceptional creativity and strategic insight. She has co-authored a nationally recognised sustainability curriculum that received a National MAT Award and has twice been a finalist for Headteacher of the Year in Worcestershire. Emily's distinctive approach brings teaching, curriculum, the arts and STEM together, helping schools develop ambitious learning experiences that build curiosity, creativity and confidence.

Carl Gliddon  |  School Improvement Partner

Carl is a highly experienced school leader and inclusion specialist who brings more than 20 years of senior leadership experience, including ten years as a headteacher, across Key Stages 2 to 5. His wide-ranging expertise encompasses SEND and inclusion, attendance, safeguarding, pastoral support, personal development and careers education. Carl's depth of knowledge and strong understanding of local communities enable him to help schools remove barriers, strengthen provision and improve the educational journey for children and young people.

Jo Berry  |  School Improvement Advisor - Early Years

Jo is an exceptionally experienced early years leader with a proven record of securing outstanding provision. Her leadership contributed to Outstanding early years judgements in three consecutive inspections, demonstrating sustained excellence rather than a one-off success. Across the Trust, Jo works with leaders and practitioners to develop ambitious, nurturing and high-quality provision, strengthen teaching and learning, and ensure that every child receives the strongest possible foundations from the very beginning of their education.

Helen Major  |  Attendance and Safeguarding Lead

Helen provides expert leadership across two areas that are fundamental to every child's success: safeguarding and attendance. She works closely with schools to strengthen practice, build consistency and help leaders identify concerns at the earliest opportunity. Through clear guidance, constructive challenge and carefully targeted support, Helen helps ensure that pupils are safe, well supported and able to attend, engage and thrive.

Finance and business operations

Penny Plant  |  Central School Business Manager

Penny is a highly skilled and experienced school business professional who plays a central role in the effective and sustainable operation of the Trust and its schools. With more than 20 years of experience in education, she brings valuable expertise across finance, human resources and governance. Her strong professional qualifications in school business management and advanced accounting, together with accreditation from the Institute of School Business Leadership, underpin the high-quality advice and operational support she provides.

Janette Taylor  |  Senior Finance Officer

Janette is a highly experienced education finance professional with more than 23 years of specialist knowledge, complemented by an earlier career in banking. Her expertise in financial management, budgeting, monitoring and compliance provides schools with accurate, dependable and informed support. Janette's contribution helps leaders understand their financial position, plan confidently and make effective use of public resources.

Julie Malbon  |  Central Finance Support Officer

Julie is a valued member of the central finance team, providing accurate, responsive and dependable support to schools across the Partnership. Her attention to detail and commitment to efficient processes help ensure that financial administration is completed consistently and on time. Through her practical support, Julie contributes to the smooth running of the Trust and enables school colleagues to access the help they need.

Governance

Sue Searle  |  Central Governance and Compliance Lead

Sue is a highly knowledgeable governance professional whose legal background and extensive education experience bring rigour, clarity and sound judgement to the Trust. A former solicitor, she has around 20 years of experience as a school business and governance professional. Sue provides trusted advice to Trustees, Local Academy Committees and leaders, helping them fulfil their responsibilities confidently and ensuring that governance remains efficient, effective and firmly focused on the best interests of children and young people.

Together, our central team offers a level and breadth of expertise that adds significant value to every school in the Partnership. Their combined experience, high expectations and unwavering focus on pupils give Innovate2Educate the capacity to improve, innovate and grow while ensuring that every school is known, supported and challenged to be the very best it can be.

For general enquiries, or to be directed to the appropriate member of the central team, please contact enquiries@i2e.org.uk or telephone 01889 561820 ext 268.

Innovate2Educate Partnership, c/o Thomas Alleyne's High School, Dove Bank, Uttoxeter, Staffordshire ST14 8DU