Trustees and Member

The Dean Trust is recruiting two Trustees and one Member to join our governance community as we continue our development as a high-performing MAT in the northwest. We are looking for individuals who can bring professional insight, strategic challenge and a commitment to improving outcomes for children across our schools in Manchester, Wigan and Knowsley.

We are particularly seeking Trustees with expertise in HR, estates, legal, digital or cyber and individuals who can broaden the lived experience and diversity of our Board. These appointments will strengthen our Finance & Resources and Audit & Risk Committees and support succession planning for the Pay Committee.

If you want to contribute your skills to a values‑driven trust with a strong reputation for care, community and improvement, we would be delighted to hear from you.

Who we are

The Dean Trust is a multi‑academy trust serving communities across Manchester, Wigan and Knowsley. We are known for our commitment to care, inclusion and strong pastoral support and we are now rebalancing this with a renewed focus on academic rigour and classroom excellence.

Our Trust comprises a mix of primary and secondary schools, each retaining its identity while benefiting from shared systems, consistent expectations and a collaborative approach to improvement. We have recently strengthened our central structures, introduced GAG pooling and refined our financial model to ensure resources are directed where they make the greatest difference.

We are ambitious for our future growth and are developing our next phase of trust strategy with support from external partners.

About the role

Trustees

Trustees at The Dean Trust play a central role in shaping the organisation’s strategic direction, ensuring strong oversight across finance, resources, audit, risk and educational performance. These appointments will strengthen our governance capacity as the Trust refines its academic focus, matures its central structures and prepares for future growth.

We are recruiting two Trustees, each bringing professional insight and constructive challenge to one of our key committees. Trustees recruited in this campaign will contribute to*:

• Finance & Resources Committee – Oversight and assurance of HR, estates, IT and financial strategy.
• Audit & Risk Committee – Scrutiny and assurance of risk management and compliance.

These roles will also support succession planning for the Pay Committee. Trustees help ensure informed decision‑making, strengthen organisational resilience and provide grounded, real‑world challenge to the executive team.

* Please note that we also have an Education Committee, which focuses on curriculum, standards and improvement, though we currently have no vacancies here.

Members

Members provide independent oversight of the Trust’s governance, ensuring that The Dean Trust remains aligned to its charitable purpose and that the Board operates effectively. We are seeking one additional Member to join our existing group of three, broadening the experience and independence of our governance structure.

Members do not engage in operational or committee‑level work; instead, they:

• Appoint and hold Trustees to account
• Provide high‑level scrutiny of governance performance
• Ensure the Trust’s objects and charitable purpose are upheld
• Support long‑term stewardship and organisational integrity

This role is ideal for someone who brings mature judgement, independent thought and a commitment to strong, values‑driven governance.

Who we are looking for

We are looking for individuals who can bring professional expertise, strategic thinking and a genuine commitment to improving the life chances of children and young people. You may come from public services, charity, commercial or regulatory backgrounds; what matters most is your ability to contribute constructively, think independently and uphold high standards of governance.

We are particularly interested in candidates with experience in:

• HR and people leadership
• Estates, capital projects or facilities management
• Legal practice or regulatory compliance
• Digital, cyber security or IT governance

We also want to broaden the diversity of our Board, especially across ethnicity, lived experience and age. We are keen to welcome individuals who bring different perspectives, professional backgrounds and ways of thinking, ensuring our governance reflects the communities we serve and the challenges our schools face.

Our Board is professional, strategic and focused on real‑world business thinking. Trustees should be comfortable reading papers, preparing questions and supporting leaders through informed, balanced challenge. These roles suit individuals who value purposeful governance, who can engage confidently with complex issues and who want to contribute to a trust that is refining its academic focus while maintaining strong pastoral care.

Time commitment

Trustees

• 4 full Board meetings per year
• 3–4 committee meetings (Resources, Audit & Risk, Education)
• A Trust away day
• Optional school visits and informal engagement sessions

Meetings are usually held in the morning (08:00–09:30 start). Hybrid attendance is supported, though in-person attendance is preferred where possible. Committee meetings usually last two to three hours.

We would like new Trustees to observe a Board meeting in December before formally joining.

Members

Members have a light but important governance role, providing independent oversight and ensuring the Trust remains aligned to its charitable purpose. The commitment is modest and focused on key moments in the governance cycle.

Members are expected to attend the annual general meeting and engage periodically with the Chair and governance lead.