Chair

Christine is an experienced senior NHS manager and is currently the Deputy Director for Integration and Strategic Partnerships for Mersey Care Foundation Trust. Her previous roles within the NHS have mostly focussed on managing programmes of work to deliver better outcomes for people with a learning disability, autistic people, and those with mental health needs.

Vice-Chair

Sarah has been involved in education for 30 years, as a primary teacher and then since 2000, as a Senior Lecturer at Liverpool John Moores University. In 2019, she became the Programme Leader for the BA (Hons) Primary Education QTS programme and more recently was appointed acting Head of Primary Programmes. Sarah served as a Governor on the Local Governing Body at Weatherhead for 11 years before moving across to the Trust Board in 2026.

Trustee

Paul is an experienced senior manager in Children’s Services at Wirral Council. He currently has strategic and managerial responsibility for three key post 16 service areas, (a) 14-19 services (including Apprenticeships and Careers), (b) Lifelong Learning Education Service, and (c) Leaving Care Services. He is also responsible for the delivery of two large key strategic employment and skills programmes funded by UK Shared Prosperity and Public Health Wirral. Paul also sits on the Governing Board of Wirral Met College and chairs the Liverpool City Region Local Authorities Participation and Skills Strategy Group.

Trustee

Erica has over 16 years’ experience as a full-time lecturer in Further Education, gaining an effective understanding of curriculum planning, regulation and learner needs. Over the past 5 years, she has also worked as a Chief Examiner and qualification developer for an International Awarding Organisation, gaining valuable insight into assessment and curriculum standards. She is dedicated to supporting the school and Trust in delivering quality education and hopes to bring a wealth of educational expertise to the Trust Board.

Trustee

Margaret has 40 years’ experience in Special Education Needs, teaching for 20 years in 2-19 schools and then 20 years as Headteacher at a primary special school that catered for children with Cognition & Learning and Social Communication difficulties. The school was rated by Ofsted as good in 2005 and during her headship the school moved to Outstanding in 2008, 2010, 2016 and 2023. Margaret was seconded to the post of Strategic Manager of SEND for Wirral Council from 2016-2018. Since retiring in 2023 she is supporting mainstream and special schools in curriculum delivery and SEND, and quality assuring the Wirral’s SEND resource bases.

Trustee

Paul is a Senior Leader, consultant and advisor with over 20 years’ international experience supporting Boards, CEOs and leadership teams through growth, change and organisational complexity. He works across family-owned, founder-led and corporate organisations, helping leaders strengthen governance, culture and performance while staying true to their purpose and values. As Founder and Managing Director of Westminster Associates, Paul has worked with organisations across the private, public and third sectors. He has also served as a Trustee and Board member within the charitable sector, bringing strategic insight, commercial acumen and a strong commitment to people and community impact. Paul is also a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (FCIPD), a licensed Insights Discovery Practitioner, a Mental Health First Aider and a Community First Responder.

Trustee

Dr Marie Caslin is a Senior Lecturer in Inclusive Education based in the Faculty of Education at Edge Hill University. She has over 20 years’ experience of developing community-based research projects with young people. She is committed to developing approaches to research which are accessible, inclusive and led by the voices of young people. She teaches on a range of undergraduate and postgraduate degree programmes focusing on Special Educational Needs and Disability. She firmly believes academics are in a privileged position to not only highlight the barriers and injustices that are experienced by members of our community but also seek ways to address these to ensure we have a more inclusive society.