Helen became co-CEO at Abbey MAT in January 2020 after serving as interim Co-CEO for a year, bringing her wealth of experience and passion for education to the forefront. Helen shares the CEO role with Catherine Garrett through our innovative leadership model. In addition to her co-CEO role, Helen continues to serve as the Executive Principal (Primary) within Abbey MAT, where her commitment to nurturing young minds and supporting school leaders shines through.
As co-CEO, Helen leads the regulatory and operational aspects of our Trust, overseeing the Corporate Services Team, including finance, governance, HR, and IT. With her strategic vision and collaborating closely with our Trust Board, Helen ensures that the Trust’s operations align with the highest standards of governance and sound financial management.
In her role as Executive Principal, Helen works across the five primary academies within the Trust, championing progress on Trust-wide priorities, driving improvements, and supporting school leaders to cultivate professional and positive school cultures. Working closely with her co-CEO counterpart, Helen ensures that robust development plans are in place, guiding each academy toward educational excellence.
Before becoming Executive Principal, Helen was the Headteacher of St. Chad’s CofE Primary, one of the founding schools within the Trust. Her dedication to creating a vibrant, caring, and stimulating environment for both students and staff remains at the heart of her work. Helen is passionate about providing children with rich, exciting learning experiences and supports leaders in delivering the Trust’s core vision: providing high quality education for all within an environment which is welcoming, disciplined and purposeful. Through a range of opportunities including academic, cultural and spiritual, our pupils and colleagues are empowered and nurtured to flourish and live ‘life in all its fullness’ (John 10:10).
Helen is a firm believer in lifelong learning. She has a degree in English and a master's in leadership and management. She has also successfully completed NPQEL, NPQH and has completed an Executive Leadership qualification through Ambition Institute. Helen became a fellow at the Charted College of Teaching in 2023. Beyond her roles at Abbey MAT, Helen is a trustee at a non-profit organisation. Her commitment to education and the community is unwavering, and she continues to inspire those around her with her energy, vision, and dedication to making a difference.
Linked to our Trust-wide focus on Oracy, Helen’s favourite word is ‘ubuntu’ - a term from Zulu and Xhosa (Southern Africa). Often translated as "I am because we are," ubuntu means "humanity," emphasizing community, compassion, and the interconnectedness of all people.
