Members
Ralph Holloway
Ralph is the Head of SEND Strategy and Innovation at Essex County Council, with extensive expertise in high quality inclusive education, school funding, SEND legislation, and alternative provision. He previously served as a governor at Oaklands Infant School and on the Interim Executive Board at two secondary schools.
Key achievements include managing a multi-million-pound capital program, successful free school applications, and effectively overseeing the Essex High Needs Block from overspending to reserves. Ralph was also the Commissioner for Alternative Provision at ECC and the Manager of the Children’s Support Service, responsible for pupil referral units and representing the council at exclusion hearings, which led to his role as an expert witness before the Education Select Committee.
Colin Hooker
Colin has been the Director of Human Resources at the Diocese of Chelmsford Vine Schools Trust since 2022, within this role, he leads strategic HR initiatives, focusing on education workforce strategy, organisational design, change management, outsourcing, and compliance with employment and equality law.
Previously, Colin has continued to support schools in improving governance structures and leadership practices, within his roles as Chair of Governors and former National Leader of Governance. His experience will ensure that the board effectively oversees workforce development initiatives, leveraging his expertise in HR business partnering and training with the National Governance Association, including the Chair of Governance Development program.
Ruth Sturdy
Ruth, the CEO of SEAX Multi-Academy Trust since 2019, has focused on school improvement, leadership, and child protection. She has also been the Chair of Trustees at Kingswode Hoe School since 2021, overseeing non-executive governance. Her career includes roles as Lead School Effectiveness Partner and Standards and Excellence Commissioner for Essex County Council since 2014, Headteacher for a short time in the same year, and Deputy Headteacher at The Deanes School from 2001 to 2013.
Ruth holds a B.Sc in Economics from the University of Wales, a Master's degree in education, and an NPQH. Her extensive leadership experience enables her to evaluate school improvement efforts and ensure the HIVE Family of Schools delivers high-quality, inclusive education, supporting the boards' assessment of performance and outcomes for children.
Andrew Weaver
Andy is an experienced educational professional with over 25 years in Chelmsford schools, focusing on equality, diversity, and community engagement. Since 2018, he has served as Headteacher at The Sandon School, overseeing curriculum design, teaching, primary-to-secondary transition, and stakeholder engagement. Andy is also a governor at Baddow Hall Junior School since 2017. Previously, he was Deputy Headteacher at The Sandon School and held various teaching positions, specialising in mentoring, coaching, behavior management, and safeguarding.
Esther Burton
Esther is the Director of Dragonfly Education Consultancy Ltd., focusing on therapeutic mentoring and child protection. With over 20 years of experience as a Primary Teacher, she has worked in diverse settings across North London, Chelmsford, and Southend. Currently, she supports primary schools in Essex and Southend with training and mentoring for children facing social, emotional, and mental health challenges. She has served as Circuit Safeguarding Officer for the Chelmsford Methodist Circuit and previously was Co-Chair of Governors at Writtle Infant School.
Esther has collaborated with organisations like the Southend Teaching Alliance and managed a Nurture Centre in Southend. She continues to train professionals in childcare and schools, emphasising holistic child development and well-being. Her safeguarding experience is invaluable.
Trustees
Nic Adams: Chair
Nic's journey in school governance began as a parent governor. He previously served as the Chair of the Writtle Junior School Governing Body and was an active member of the resource, pay, and head teacher performance management committees. With over 15 years of experience in school governance, he stepped down to dedicate his efforts to the successful formation of HIVE. Professionally, Nic is a senior leader in the IT sector.
James Cook
James has been the Director of Resources for Hertfordshire Constabulary since 2020, focusing on strategic financial management, budgeting, and organisational change. He served as a trustee for the Essex Recovery Foundation from 2015 to 2020 and was previously the Head of Finance for Essex Local Authority.
With over 30 years of experience in public sector accounting, James was a previous governor at Writtle Junior School. A CIPFA-qualified accountant, he holds a Post-Graduate Certificate in Business Excellence from the University of Leeds Business School, equipping him to strategically support HIVE's financial operations.
Andrew Missen
Andrew has extensive experience in strategic governance, focusing on risk and compliance. His dedication to safeguarding and child protection is highlighted by his service as a school governor and trustee for a single Academy Trust, as well as his current role as a board member of the Chelmsford District Scout Movement.
With a background in large national organisations, Andrew has significant knowledge in setting strategy and managing compliance. He previously served as a Trustee for Moulsham Junior School from 2012 to 2020 and as a Governor from 2004 to 2012. Now retired, he continues his service as a trustee for the Chelmsford District Scout Council, emphasising safeguarding and volunteer management since 2021.
David Donoghue
David previously served as a Co-opted Governor at Highwood Primary School for six years, bringing valuable experience to the school and its community. His career in education has included roles as Head Teacher at three different schools.
After taking early retirement, he transitioned to freelance work in September 2008. Since then, he has facilitated the Diploma in School Business Management and has been involved in initial teacher training at both Anglia Ruskin University and Goldsmiths College. Additionally, he has worked as a School Improvement Partner in Essex and Islington. Currently, he is an Associate Tutor at Goldsmiths College, University of London.
Darren Horsman
Before joining the HIVE Board of Trustees, Darren served on the Moulsham Infant School Board for six years, including five years as Vice Chair. While living in New Zealand, he was the Chair of an Early Learning Centre that supported 150 children. In this role, he managed the Centre's expansion, renegotiated local funding arrangements, and developed a separate specialist bilingual Māori provision.
Darren has a diverse professional background, having worked in education, criminal justice, and emergency service governance. His experience encompasses policy development, strategy formulation, governance, and communications.
Jennifer McCutcheon
Jennifer is delighted to join HIVE as a Trustee, as her commitment to inclusion and quality education aligns with the HIVE values. Her experience spans both Special Education and mainstream teaching, including a role as a Specialist Teacher for the local authority. After retiring as a Headteacher in 2019, Jennifer has continued to work with various agencies to support children and families. As Chair of the Basildon Education Partnership, she has significantly contributed to educational service delivery in Basildon. Currently, Jennifer is serving as the Chair of a primary school Governing Board and is involved with two Strategic Improvement Boards in Essex, addressing parental complaints and other sensitive issues in education.
Pam Pickwick
Pam Pickwick is a qualified engineer and educator who has been teaching at Great Baddow High School since September 2021. She holds a BEng (Hons), is a Chartered Engineer (CEng) and is a member of the IET (MIET). Pamela began her career as an apprentice at Ford Motor Company, where she advanced to Chartered Engineer by December 2005, managing various projects related to design, implementation, and budgeting.
Her educational career includes serving as a trainee teacher with Mid Essex ITT from May 2019 to June 2021, and she was a parent and staff governor at Moulsham Junior School from November 2012 to June 2019, participating in various committees. Pam has also worked as a Learning Support Assistant at Moulsham Junior School from October 2014 to June 2019, supporting students with special educational needs. Pam’s community involvement includes roles as Secretary and Treasurer for the Moulsham Infants School and Dovedale Nursery fundraising committees from October 2008 to September 2014.
Paul Radcliffe
Paul works as a Tax Partner at EY LLP, specialising in tax advice for financial sector clients. His role involves conducting audits, managing governance projects for compliance, and providing multi-jurisdictional tax guidance while coordinating with other EY offices. He also participates in hiring and staff appraisals and setting commercial strategies, showcasing his expertise in board-level issues and professional skepticism.
Paul is a Chartered Accountant and Chartered Tax Advisor. Previously, he was a Tax Director at Citi, where he managed tax risk, ensured compliance with processes, developed governance frameworks, and worked with professional advisors. His background highlights the skills essential for his current role as a trustee of the HIVE Family of Schools.
