Our Team
Steve Davies - CEO
Steve has experience leading a highly successful, oversubscribed secondary school which has built a strong system leadership track record with the establishment of a thriving school centred initial teacher training provision, the South Yorkshire Maths hub and a role leading evidence informed practice as an associate research school. Through that system leadership work, Steve has experience of supporting other schools directly, including two years where he was deployed as an acting head teacher. Over 19 years in school senior leadership and headship, Steve has experience leading on Catholic Ethos and Community, Curriculum & Pedagogy, Safeguarding and Inclusion, Timetabling, Effective use of data and Primary to Secondary Transition. Steve has two children in schools in the Trust. He is a member of St Francis parish in Sheffield where he leads the music ministry.
Adnan Bashir - CFO
Adnan is an experienced Chief Financial Officer having worked in a variety of educational settings throughout most of his senior professional career. A chartered certified Financial Accountant, Adnan began his career in the NHS as a Trainee Accountant before transitioning to the private sector where he predominately worked with the legal sector for larger commercial/corporate practices. Adnan has significant experience with new start up organisations and has developed extensive knowledge and experience of developing and implementing financial management structures and systems, financial modelling and forecasting, governance and compliance. In addition to these core areas of expertise and through the development of previous roles within the academies sector Adnan has considerable experience of information technology, risk management and human resource management.
Directors
Kevin Smith - Chair
Kev is Deputy Regional Director for Healthcare Public Health at NHS England for the North East and Yorkshire. He has been a Medical Consultant for 18 years working in the NHS and Civil Service at National and Regional level. He was Executive Director of Primary Care managing a budget of over £80 million and was regional clinical lead for the roll out of the Covid vaccination programme. He has extensive experience of appointing staff at Director level across Local Authorities, NHS and Civil Service and is ACAS trained for grievance and appeals processes. Kev is a Fellow and Examiner of the Faculty of Public Health and a Senate Award Fellow of the University of Sheffield. He has been an honorary senior lecturer at four Yorkshire universities. He is experienced in public sector leadership and the development of new partnerships between organisations. Kev was chair of governors at St Marie’s school. He is a Eucharistic Minister at St William of York parish. His four children have all attended schools within the Trust.
Matthew Davis
Matthew is an Associate Professor and Director of Culture and Values for Leeds University Business School. He is an organisational psychologist who works with public and private sector organizations to develop insights and strategies to support hybrid working, workplace design and sustainability. Matthew is a Chartered Psychologist and Certified Management and Business Educator. He is experienced in designing and delivering a range of undergraduate, postgraduate and executive education. Matthew has professional expertise in organizational change, socio-technical systems design, selection and assessment. He is a member of ethics committees for the Ministry of Defence and British Psychological Society. He was a Foundation Governor at All Saints Catholic High School and is a children’s liturgist in Sacred Heart Parish Sheffield. Matthew has two children in schools within the Trust.
Kathryn Thomas
Kath has 20 years’ experience in Catholic primary education from newly qualified teacher to Headteacher, retiring in 2018 from St. Mary’s, Herringthorpe. Prior to this she worked as an electronic engineer, in areas such as telemetry and audio systems, from design through to installation of systems. As a class teacher Kath has taught across all the phases in primary education from Foundation to Upper Key Stage 2. Before becoming Deputy then Headteacher Kath led in a range of subject areas such SENCO, Religious Education, ICT and Science. She has a wide range of experience working with the many outside agencies involved in education at all levels. Kath also worked as a Specialist Leader of Education before being appointed as Headteacher. Kath attends the Parish of the Immaculate Conception Herringthorpe where she is Chair of the Parish Renewal Group, is part of the Alpha course team and Baptismal Preparation team.
Aden Wass
Aden is a recently retired teacher following 24 years of working in two Catholic secondary schools as a teacher and middle leader. During that time, he completed the NPQH. With a great depth of knowledge of schools and the education system, he is highly skilled in interpreting data and also has extensive experience of financial planning, monitoring, decision making, compliance and control. Aden has experience in recruitment of staff in an education setting, career development, and performance management with much of his experience developing his abilities with practical risk management and strategic planning within schools. He also has full knowledge of SEND and prevent and safeguarding legislation in the education sector. For 19 years, Aden has provided service as a Foundation Governor in a Catholic primary school where the majority of that time has been spent as the Chair of Governors. He is a Eucharistic Minister at St Mary Magdalene Catholic Church Maltby.
Fr Christopher Posluszny
Fr Chris is Cathedral Dean at St. Marie’s, and Parish Priest of Our Lady Queen of Heaven & St. Oswald, Wybourn, and of Holy Family, Arbourthorne. He is also chaplain to the Slovak Community, very many of whom are from the Roma Community. Fr. Chris worked as a health care chaplain for thirteen years, including ten years at the Sheffield Children’s’ Hospital. He was a foundation governor at Emmaus Catholic and Church of England Primary School, St Marie’s Primary School, and All Saints High School. Fr. Chris is also a member of the Diocesan Board of Trustees, and of the Diocesan Building Committee. He is regularly involved in catechetical programmes for adults, young people and children in both English and Slovak.
Máire O’Riordan
Máire is an experienced Finance Director with over 25 years of practice in the financial services industry. A chartered Management Accountant, Máire has extensive knowledge in strategic business planning, financial modelling, analysis and insight and contract management. Originally from Ireland, Máire began her career in investment banking working for various investment houses in Dublin, Sydney and London. In 2003 she relocated to Sheffield where she and her husband chose to settle and begin a family of their own. Since relocating to Sheffield Máire has worked at Westfield Health, a not-for-profit insurance provider. In 2018 she was promoted to the Executive Leadership Team where for the last 4 years she has served as Director of Strategy and Commercial Finance. Having had the benefit of a full Catholic education, Máire is passionate about the invaluable role the church can play in children’s education. She has two children, both of whom attend schools within the trust and was a children’s liturgist in St Francis Parish, Sheffield.
Mario Castellino
Mario is a Senior IT Manager at a large Financial Services company with 20 years of corporate experience and an extensive background in leading high performing global teams dispersed across multiple geographies. He is strongly knowledgeable in IT infrastructure, leading complex products plus oversight of budgets, risks, and controls. Mario's journey in the corporate landscape has equipped him with several professional IT certifications and he has also gained significant expertise in technology management, resource management, financial planning, organisational change, and enterprise integration. With his Catholic educational background, Mario is passionate that children receive a well-rounded education rooted in Catholic principles. He is a Eucharistic Minister at Sacred Heart Parish. Mario has one child attending a school within the trust and another child due to start shortly.
Members
Rev Fr Peter Damien McGuire
Bishop Ralph Heskett
