Trustees

Joan Dean, Chair Trustees

Appointed: 11th January 2018

Key Responsibility: Strategic Plan and Pupil Premium

Joan Dean has a long career in education. After attending Manchester University Joan started her career as a teacher in Oldham. Joan then became a deputy headteacher in Moss Side Manchester followed by her next role as the headteacher of a large primary school in central Manchester. Joan was appointed to Her Majesty's Inspector of Schools (HMI). In addition to inspecting schools in England - both primary and secondary - Joan led many inspections of British Forces schools in Cyprus and Germany. From Ofsted Joan was seconded to the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister where she pursued her interest in schools in disadvantaged areas. As a result of this work Joan was appointed as a Director at the National College for School Leadership. More recently, Joan established a consultancy supporting local authorities and schools with school improvement strategies and leadership development. She has worked extensively in Manchester schools and has successfully run Manchester's Aspiring Leaders’ programme. Joan is married with one daughter and one granddaughter.

Mike Snelson, Vice Chair

Appointed: 16th August 2018

Key Responsibilities: Chair Standards Committee, Behaviour and Attendance

Mike Snelson recently retired following more than 40 years as a professional working in education. His career included spells as a primary headteacher of two schools in the north-west; a School Improvement Adviser in Redcar and Cleveland; Ofsted team inspector; and Principal Adviser for Lancashire School Effectiveness Service. Most recently he has worked as an independent education consultant. Mike is married and lives in Lancashire. He has two sons (both teachers!) and four grandchildren.

Jon Nowell

Appointed: 15th June 2018

Key Responsibilities: Trustee, Chair of Resources and Audit Committee

Jon is an experienced leader with an extensive background in finance, operations, and strategic growth, previously serving as Operations Director at TalkTalk Business, with over two decades of experience in senior leadership roles, Jon has been instrumental in delivering successful growth within the UK telecoms and managed services markets. His career has seen him lead large-scale projects across various sectors, with a particular focus on education, technology, and infrastructure.

A passionate advocate for education, Jon has been actively involved in initiatives designed to improve educational outcomes. Notably, he played a pivotal role in the leadership of an Education Internet Service Provider (ISP), where his vision and strategic oversight contributed to the company's growth and expansion. Jon also participated in the national Building Schools for the Future (BSF) programme, aimed at transforming educational environments across the UK through significant investment in infrastructure.

Jon's governance experience includes five years of service as a governor at a primary school in Cheshire, where he gained valuable insights into the workings of educational institutions. His strong financial acumen, combined with his passion for education, positions him as a key asset to the Dunstone Education Trust. As Chair of the Resources and Audit Committee, Jon provides strategic leadership, ensuring robust financial oversight, resource allocation, and risk management across the Trust. His expertise in financial leadership helps to drive sound decision-making, ensuring that the Trust operates efficiently and sustainably to meet its goals.

Residing in Cheshire, Jon is a dedicated family man, living with his wife and two children. Outside of his professional and trustee commitments, Jon enjoys giving back to the community.

Jon’s commitment to education, finance, and community involvement makes him a valuable member of the Trust, contributing to its ongoing mission to provide outstanding educational opportunities for all students.

Tudor Griffiths

Appointed: 29th September 2020

Member of Standards Committee
Key Responsibilities: Quality of Education

Tudor Griffiths was a secondary headteacher for 23 years. His first headship was in an inner-city 11-18 high school in Leeds. His second headship was at Kettlethorpe High School in Wakefield, an 11-16 comprehensive school with over 1700 pupils from 2006 until 2024. Since 2012 Tudor has been involved in school inspection work both as a lead and team inspector. He has also undertaken school improvement and educational consultancy work in both primary and secondary schools/academies and for a number of local authorities and multi-academy trusts nationally. This has been centred on developing leadership capacity and raising standards. In his spare time Tudor is a national panel official for the Rugby Football Union and a volunteer Blood Bike rider. 

Becki Smith

Appointed: 19th April 2021

Member of Resources Committee
Key Responsibilities: Girls in Technology Project

Becki Smith is an experienced business leader in the technology sector specialising in telecommunications and digital. Becki joined TalkTalk in January 2020 from N Brown Group Plc where she was Marketing and eCommerce Director, and previously led eCommerce and digital marketing for Boohoo Group. 

Currently, Becki is a director for Three UK, a leading mobile services provider, she has over 20 years experience in marketing, digital and commercial roles. 

Becki is also an industry spokesperson with experience in mentoring and leading other female leaders and young people.  

Dr Philip Smith, Hon DBA, FCMA, FCT, FInstMgt, FCPFA

Appointed: 8th April 2021

Member of Resources and Audit.
Key Responsibilities: Audit and Compliance

Dr Smith, a qualified accountant, now retired from executive work, is a former senior executive of multi-national businesses, including major food retailer Asda Group Plc and National Power Plc, the UK electricity generating company.

Dr Smith is a Higher Education specialist with over twenty years experience at governing board level. He is also chair of governors of the Milton Keynes Academy.

He was awarded an Honorary Doctorate in Business Administration by De Montfort University in 2010 for his outstanding contribution to the development of the university and an MBE in 2016 for his services to business and the community of Milton Keynes.

A former chairman of Leicester City Football Club Plc, Dr Smith has held various positions in the sporting arena including chairmanship of youth and senior men's and ladies football clubs. He is a former member of LEAP, the Bucks County Sports Partnership and former chair of SEMLEP's Sport and Leisure Group.

In Milton Keynes he was chair of MK Business Leaders Partnership and the MK Business Council.

He was a non-executive director of Destination MK and MK City Orchestra, a former trustee of The Stables music theatre and is currently President Elect of the Rotary Club of Lytham.

Chelsea Slater

Appointed: 2nd September 2022

Member of Resources and Audit.
Key Responsibilities: Careers Education and Website Compliance

Chelsea has dedicated her work to achieve gender equality within the tech sector. Her direct experiences of inequality within her previous roles inspired her to start InnovateHer, a social enterprise who are on a mission to educate and inspire women to have careers in tech, whilst helping companies to be more inclusive. With her team, Chelsea plans for InnovateHer to become a pioneering industry-led STEAM education provider, globally inspiring teens to reach their potential and create a more inclusive future in tech, with a community of 1 million globally.

In other work, Chelsea has supported many organisations and government bodies on their digital strategies, as well as Inclusion, Social Enterprise, Digital Marketing, Brand and Business operations.

Abdul Yosuf

Abdul Yosuf is a practising solicitor and is the Head of Legal at TalkTalk. His main areas of legal practice include commercial, corporate, advertising, employment, litigation and dispute resolution.

Abdul is an active member of his local community and was nominated by them to lead on local issues such as HS2 consultation and refugee housing. Aside from being a passionate football fan, Abdul enjoys taking on challenging DIY projects in his spare time

Trustees are the accountable body for Fulwood Academy

In order to contact the trust board, please direct enquiries to the Clerk to the Trustee Board, Jacqueline Currey.

By Telephone: 01253 476513

By E-mail jacqueline.currey@blackpool.gov.uk

By Post: Please address correspondence to Mrs J Dean, Chair of Trustees at the Academy Address

Claire Ross

Claire Ross is an HR leader focused on building great cultures and experiences through putting human elements into people strategy. With a career focused on building positive moments that matter which in turn strengthen relationships into results, Claire has worked across tech, comms and distribution industries. Claire is experienced in building communities focused on change, leadership culture and diversity – fuelled by data and stakeholder surveying.

She is currently Head of Employee Experience at Platform X Communications joining shortly after their announced demerger from TalkTalk, prior to which she was at OneAdvanced as Head of Culture. Whilst at the education software provider, she partnered with colleges and universities in the West Midlands on programmes for social mobility, ethnicity and gender agendas. A strong advocate for the recruitment practice of hiring for potential she developed campaigns and programmes that gave opportunities for people to get into tech regardless of their background or education path.

With hobbies of weightlifting and scuba diving Claire believes in encouraging women to be empowered to do things outside of the norm!