Mr Ian Bacon, Education Director
Ian has 20 years of Senior Leadership experience at large secondary schools in Milton Keynes and further afield. Most recently, he has been Headteacher of Watling Academy, a brand-new secondary school on the western flank of Milton Keynes, leading the school from its pre-opening phase through to its successful ‘Outstanding’ OFSTED inspection in May 2023. Ian was Strategic Lead for the Enigma Maths Hub from 2015-2020 and acted as Senior Lead to establish the MK and South Northants Computing Hub. He has proven experience in school improvement and strategic planning and been commissioned to conduct ‘Quality of Education’ reviews in other schools.
Mrs Sarah Georgiou, Executive Assistant to CEO and Lead Governance Professional
Sarah has worked for the Trust for over twelve years, having previously supported a senior executive at UBS Ltd. Sarah’s provides support to the CEO of the Alliance as Executive Assistant and is Lead Governance Professional to the Trust. Sarah is a capable and efficient administrator who offers expert guidance and advice on governance matters to the Members and Trustees, coordinating meetings and contributing to research and reports. Sarah’s children have all attended Denbigh Alliance schools. Local School Boards have a governance professional who Sarah liaises with.
Ms Shannon Webb, HR Manager
Shannon Webb joined the trust in March 2022 as HR Manager from a logistics firm in the private sector. She has worked in HR for a number of years in a range of different industries including accountancy and events management. Shannon brings with her acute knowledge of strategic change management and employee engagement. When not working Shannon enjoys creative pursuits such as painting and drawing. Shannon manages a Team of HR Advisors and HR Administrators.
Mr Richard Hayward, IT Network Manager
Richard Hayward has worked in the IT environment for 20 years, mainly for a large manufacturing company running a centralised IT environment spanning sites across the UK and mainland Europe. This included frequent travel to these sites when in a support / implementation role, and as the IT Infrastructure Manager. Richard has also spent time working for a fledgling IT Service provider where he was able to use his experience to help develop process and procedures. He has now worked with the trust for over a year now and looking forward to helping the Trust develop and realise a sustainable IT Strategy. Outside of work Richard has 3 young children to keep him busy, along with DIY projects and Drag Racing. Richard manages a Web Systems Administrator and a team of IT Technicians
Mr Phil Myers, Trust DSL
After completing his first degree in music at the University of Birmingham, Phil trained to teach at UEA in Norwich. After completing his first two years of teaching in a small rural school in Norfolk, he worked at Lord Williams’s School in Thame, Oxfordshire before taking up a post as Head of Music at Roundwood Park School in Harpenden. Over a period of 14 years he developed to become an Assistant Headteacher in charge of behaviour, attendance, and safeguarding after completing his Master of Education degree at the University of Cambridge in 2004. In 2014 Phil took up the post of Deputy Headteacher at Denbigh School, developing behaviour and safeguarding as the School grew to the founding school of the Denbigh Alliance. He now works as Trust DSL, alongside his Deputy Headteacher role at Denbigh School. He is also the Chair of Governors at The Bridge Academy, part of The Stephenson Trust. Outside of school life, Phil continues to pursue his musical interests: he plays with the Woburn Sands Brass Band, plays for services at St Mary’s Church in Bletchley and sings with The Wingrave Singers who perform at Cathedrals around the country.
Ms Catherine Smyth, Enigma Maths Hub Lead
Catherine has over 25 years’ experience of working in Primary education and leadership. She has supported staff and school development within the schools she has worked, across the Enigma hub region and other schools at the request of the local authority. She has worked with the hub since 2015 when she became one of the first Primary Mastery Specialists. She is an NCETM accredited PD Lead and has worked as Primary Assistant Maths Hub Lead for five years. Catherine was then appointed as Enigma Maths Hub Lead in September 2024. She is responsible for the overall management and strategic direction of the Hub. She oversees the coordination of programs, while managing partnerships with schools, educators, and other stakeholders in the education sector.
In her spare time, Catherine enjoys the challenge of bootcamp, visiting the theatre and spending time with her family.
Mr Adrian Francis, School Improvement Partner
Adrian is an independent education consultant working across the country. His work includes pre- and post-inspection support, as well as a wide range of staff and leadership training that is bespoke to a school’s needs. As a Lead Inspector, accredited School Improvement Partner and qualified Consultant Leader (National College) Adrian’s breadth of experience enables schools and senior staff to tap into a high degree of challenge, support and general school improvement discussion. Increasingly, this includes work with Headteachers and governors as part of the HT’s performance management process, as well as governing body training and development. Preparation for Ofsted inspection and whole school self-evaluation plays an increasingly key part of Adrian’s work.
Mr Simon Webb, School Improvement Partner
Simon has been one of Her Majesty’s Inspectors for Ofsted across primary, secondary and special schools in the East of England. This included enhanced safeguarding and SEND training which he now applies to his role as an independent safeguarding auditor for the Denbigh Alliance and wide range of trusts and local authorities.
Currently he is also an external expert for the DfE on their ITT and free schools teams. He has recently been an interim CEO for a London based trust and chief inspector for British school overseas.
Simon specialises in the role of school improvement partner (SIP) and external evaluator. He combines his experience as an HMI with that of headteacher to support schools with strategic improvement planning, curriculum development, Ofsted preparation, governor reviews, safeguarding and improving teaching and learning and assessment.
