Current Members
Samantha Stevens
Chair of the Board of Members
Date Appointed: 07/07/2022
View ProfileAs Chief Finance & Operations Officer for Castleford Academy Trust, I lead the strategic financial and operational aspects of the Trust, supporting the CEO in implementing a sustainable business strategy and long-term financial plan that will maximise income and efficiencies in order to maximise outcomes for our pupils.
I began my full-time working career with BOC Gases in July 1996, following my graduation from Hull University with a degree in Management Science. My role at BOC involved taking a strategic approach to the delivery planning function with the overall objective being to optimise the UK and Irish supply chain by ensuring that drivers and vehicles were operated at minimum cost to meet customer demand and changes in product availability.
I left employment with BOC in 2007 in order to spend more time with my then young family and successfully completed the dual award of Diploma in School Business Management and Advanced Diploma in Administrative Management. Following completion of the Diploma, I performed a number of roles for Age UK including Service Development Manager and Business Manager prior to joining Castleford Academy Trust. I acted as a company Director for Age UK Wakefield District from September 2010 to December 2012.
I am an ex-student of Park High School and New College; my youngest son is currently in year 13 studying A Levels at New College, Pontefract and I have a desire to work with the existing members of New Collaborative Learning Trust to help further the trust’s charitable purpose.
Alastair Goldman
Member
Date Appointed: 16/12/2019
View ProfileI have been an academic since 1998
Became Professor and Head of Department of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, University of Sheffield in 2013
Became Dean of the Faculty of Life Sciences, University of Bradford in 2017, where I remain in post.
I have been a governor at an infant for a period of 9 years, this ended several years ago
I am a member of the Council of Governor for Bradford Royal Infirmary
Linda Maxwell-Smart
Member
Date Appointed: 14/07/2021
View ProfileLinda is currently a retiree. During the last academic year, Linda has been a member of the NCP Advisory Group, in 2019 she worked on a temporary, part-time basis at John Leggott Sixth Form College as a Consultant. Prior to that, she worked at New College Pontefract for 24 years, performing several managerial roles, including Senior Manager Teaching, Learning & Assessment, Senior Manager Data, Standards, Quality & Implementation, Director of Teaching & Learning, Faculty Manager & Head of English/Media Studies. Linda began her teaching career in Manchester, where she worked in challenging high schools. In the 1980s she was a governor in a high school in Stockport, after which she spent several years in North America. She has two sons who both achieved excellent results at New College and went on to become successful Senior and Lead Research Scientists. Linda spends her leisure hours meeting her many friends for lunch, visiting the cinema & the theatre, shopping and walking around museums and stately homes.
Members who have stepped down
John Gough – Date Stepped Down: 31/10/2022