Hope Learning Trust appoints new CEO

A leading York multi-academy trust has appointed a new Chief Executive Officer.

Helen Winn, who is currently Principal of Ipswich Academy and sits on the Executive Committee of Paradigm Trust, will succeed Brian Crosby as CEO of the Hope Learning Trust, York next summer.

The Hope Learning Trust is a successful, growing multi-academy trust for both primary and secondary schools. A Church of England trust established to bring together church and community schools, it was originally formed in April 2015 by Manor Church of England Academy and Poppleton Ousebank Primary School. It now has ten partner schools across the City of York and North Yorkshire.

Originally from the north-east of England, Helen qualified as a teacher after leaving university. Just three years after starting her career in Essex, she became assistant headteacher at a secondary modern, later returning to the north-east for another assistant headteacher role and then a deputy principal role. In a big departure from her vocation, she moved away from teaching in 2009 to become a consultant in the construction sector, helping firms to bid for new contracts.

In 2011, she was approached to do consultancy at Ipswich Academy when it opened.

She had never been to Ipswich before but said: “There was  something about Ipswich Academy that really made me want to come back into teaching. I just felt an immediate connection. I’d been in lots of other schools but there was something special which made me feel I wanted to work here.”

After three years as a consultant, she was appointed as associate principal and relocated to Suffolk in January 2014, before becoming first interim principal and then permanent principal in 2017.

The school, which had long-running problems with achievement and pupils’ behaviour, has now been transformed into an academy which provides high-quality education.

Helen says “I am delighted to be appointed as the next CEO of the Hope Learning Trust and am looking forward to taking up the role next summer. My slightly mixed career path in both teaching and construction will hopefully put me in good stead to continue Brian Crosby’s great work! I will be spending as much time as possible getting to know the trustees and the Hope team and getting involved with plans and developments.”

Chair of the Hope Learning Trust Board, Mr Tony Myers, said “Helen has a wealth of leadership and brings with her a clear vision and implementation of child-centred education. She has a focus on practising Christian-based servant leadership, while identifying and communicating strategic issues and direction clearly to the whole community. The trustees and I are very much looking forward to welcoming her to the Hope family.”

Helen takes up her post formally in summer 2020 and during the next few months, she will be consulted on key matters being considered by Hope Trustees and leaders.

3 December 2019