Meet our Trustees & Governors
Our Executive Headteacher (CEO)
Lisa Vyas
B.Ed (Hons) and NPQH
I am CEO working across the Kingsway Community Trust and have been a National Leader of Education since 2006. I have a strong commitment to working in Manchester and have taught in this area for the whole of my teaching career. I became headteacher at Ladybarn in 1998 and Green End in 2007, taking it from special measures within 7 months. I was in the first cohort of Primary school improvement partners and I have also mentored future headteachers through the Manchester Aspiring Leaders programme. Our third school, Cringle Brook Primary opened its doors in Levenshulme in September 2014. All our schools are high achieving and have very strong reputations for success both locally and nationally.
I am passionate about enabling all children in our local communities to have the very best possible educational opportunities. I have extremely high expectations of all the children, both in terms of their academic achievement and their emotional and social development.
Our Members/Trustees
Ariana Yakas MBE, Member, Trustee, Vice Chair of Trust Board, Safeguarding Lead
I live in inner-city Manchester and I am an experienced Business Systems Analyst and IT Project Manager. Until October 2020 I worked for the Open University as an Associate Lecturer, specialising in Strategy Development, Project Management, Risk and Developing Successful Systems. I have been a school governor since 2000 first at my children’s schools and then at other local schools helping them develop effective governance models. I have extensive experience in helping schools in Special Measures, Performance Management, Finance and recruiting senior leaders in schools. I was chair of Kingsway Community Trust from 2012 until 2022. I have been a National Leader of Governance and in June 2016 I was awarded an MBE for my services to education (governance) in Greater Manchester. I have three adult children all who went to their local state schools.
Duncan Stansfield ACII, IoSH (Tech) Chartered Insurer - Member
Having previously served for 10 years as a School Governor at Green End Primary School it's a joy to continue my connection and return as a Member. I have lived all my life in Burnage and attended Green End as a child and have many happy memories of my school days. I have worked for Aviva, the UK's only and largest Insurance Company, since 1980, I have been married to Susan for 28 years and we have 2 children, a son and a daughter, both of whom attended Green End and have gone on to University. I attend St.Margaret's Church in Burnage and enjoy numerous interests, including sport and music, but one of my main passions is to see children and young people achieve their full potential through education
Emma Antrobus, Member
A Governor since 2005 with a commitment to improving life chances and raising aspirations for children through education. I want the Trust to be the foundation of a strong community. I want to see our children believe they can become the exemplary employees and entrepreneurs of the future. I believe that education needs to include skills for life and experiences that inspire and excite our children
Atiyah Malik, Member, Trustee, Chair of the Board, Lead for Strategy & Data
I was born and bred in the local area and therefore I am passionate about being a Trustee for local schools. I am an experienced Solicitor-Advocate. I am a strong believer in education being an essential foundation for a child in their journey through life. My parents instilled the importance of learning in myself and my siblings from an early age. I have one (amazing) little boy who keeps me busy. In my spare time I like to be in the outdoors, I love reading and I like team sports.
Kevin Moran, Trustee, Lead for Personnel
I joined the Trust as Parent Governor in 2015 before becoming Chair in 2019 until 2023. I am now a Community Trustee on the Trust Board. I have worked as a Civil Servant in the DWP since 2001, and as a manager from 2009. Before that I worked for a short time for an examination board. In my spare time I like listening to music and watching films.
David Clemmett, Trustee, Lead for Inclusion
I have lived locally since 1988 and been a volunteer at Ladybarn since 2017. I retired in 2016 and have worked for various local City Councils in Adult Social Services in older people's and learning difficulty services . I have always tried to support services in recognising people's individuality ;supporting their independence and building on people's strengths . This includes seeing that people can develop confidence in a safe environment. I have three children who all attended local schools and feel schools have an important role to play in their local communities. I have enjoyed my time at Ladybarn and as a Governor want to see children having the best possible opportunities to grow and develop.
Tim Elliott, Trustee, Lead for Equality and Community
I moved to Manchester over 18 years ago to go to University when I was 18 from West Yorkshire and I have lived here ever since. I lived in Levenshulme for 8 years before moving to Oldham this year.
I have worked for the Department for Education for over 2 years focusing on financial management and governance of open academies. I am looking forward to using my skills to benefit the local community in a place that I love, full of friendly people from diverse backgrounds and cultures. In my spare time, I enjoy exercising, gardening, walking my dogs with my partner Dan and meeting up with my friends.
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Gareth Stockdale, Member, Trustee, Chair of the Finance, Risk & Audit Committee
I am originally from Plymouth in Devon and have been living in Poynton, East Cheshire since 2013. I believe in the power of education to help provide equality of opportunity and expectation and am excited to help the Kingsway Community Trust continue its great work. I'm currently CEO and board director of the Micro:bit Educational Foundation, a not for profit organisation focusing on broadening participation in digital skills for children 8-14. Previous to this I was Head of Operations at BBC Education as well as other roles in education content for children.
Alice Musgrove – Parent Trustee Green End
BNurs. (Hons) PGcert. Children and Young People’s Nursing.
I moved to Manchester to study nursing in 2002. After qualifying as an Adult Nurse I spent 10 years working for the Department of Infectious Diseases in North Manchester firstly as a Staff Nurse and later becoming a Hepatitis Nurse Specialist. I led the Hepatitis Service for Prisons working in the 4 main prisons in Manchester before leaving adult nursing to become dual trained as a Children’s Nurse. I now work full time as a Trainee Advanced Nurse Practitioner with Children’s Community Nursing Team in Manchester working with children who have acute and chronic illnesses all over Manchester.
With my husband, Tom, I have 2 children who attend Green End Primary School. In my spare time I love spending time and sharing good food with my friends and family.
Emma Garner - Parent Trustee, Ladybarn Primary
I am an experienced secondary school science teacher with a passion for education. Recently, I made an exciting change in my career to become a paediatric nurse, driven by my love for working with and caring for children. As a parent of three boys, spending quality time with my family is my absolute favourite thing to do and is really important to me. In my free time, I enjoy sewing as a way to express my creativity and find relaxation. With a compassionate nature and a strong desire to make a difference, I bring a unique blend of teaching, parenting, and nurturing skills to my role as parent trustee.
Sarah Marshall - Community Trustee
I’m an experienced Senior HR Manager currently working in the advertising industry, but have a background in tech, retail and manufacturing.
I’m a proud mum to two teenage girls who keep me busy, but I try to find balance through travel, theatre, live music and long walks. I’m passionate about education and community and I am honoured to serve as a trustee.
Almeena Ahmed Community Trustee
I moved up to Manchester from London in 2019 as my husband is from the local area. I am a Broadcast Journalist and have always been interested in education and how to empower young people to reach their full potential. As a child of Pakistani immigrants and having lived and worked in Pakistan for several years, I am well aware of the issues facing these and similar communities in the UK.
My two young boys keep me on my toes and help me focus on the small steps I can take to help all children thrive and achieve the best outcomes in life.
Our Governors
Cllr Chris Wills, Community Governor, Chair of Green End/Ladybarn LGB
I am a Councilor for Withington Ward, where I also live. I am one of the Council's Lead Members for LGBT+ issues. I work in Higher Education, as a university administrator, and have worked in this environment for over 15 years. I believe all children should have the opportunity to realise their full potential, and that schools have a fundamental role to play in this.
Being a Councilor takes up much of my spare time. However I do also enjoy travel, reading, the cinema and music. I try to keep fit and am currently learning to swim.
David Eglese, Chair, Cringle Brook Primary LGB
BSc Information Management, PGCE – Secondary ICT
I have lived in South Manchester since 2009, working in Higher Education for MMU and currently the University of Liverpool as the Head of Data Science within the External Relations department. Prior to this I lived in South Yorkshire where I completed my undergraduate studies, teacher training and taught secondary ICT and Business Studies. I’m married with two children and play table tennis in the local leagues in my spare time. I’m passionate about education and supporting learners to reach their full potential.
Philippa Bird, Parent Governor Cringle Brook Primary
I am currently an inclusion and diversity manager focussing on equality of opportunity within the financial services. My work experience spans strategic and media planning roles.
Along with our two children who attend Cringle Brook, my partner Trond and I feel at home in Levenshulme. We love being part of its vibrant, multicultural community. I try to stay fit and enjoy playing the piano, creative writing and travelling with my family.
Lis Smith, Staff Governor - Cringle Brook Primary
I joined Cringle Brook as a Reading Assistant in 2015 and I am now working as a SEN & EAL Teaching Assistant. For over ten years, I worked for the Christie Hospital in the Human Resources Department.
I have two sons and one daughter and in my spare time, enjoy going down to the allotment, doing the weekly park run and volunteering for age concern. I love working at Cringle Brook and look forward to the opportunity of being a Staff Governor.
Lynn Birkinshaw, Staff Governor - Green End Primary
I joined the Trust in 2008 as a class teacher with over 20 years teaching experience. I began my teaching career in primary schools in Scotland, and before joining the Trust I was a specialist teacher for children with autism. I am passionate about teaching and learning, and am committed to enabling all children to reach their full potential. I feel very proud to be part of the Kingsway Trust in serving the schools and communities of which we are a part. In my spare time I enjoy playing netball and with two Mancunian daughters enjoy watching Manchester City Ladies Football Team.
Rumana Asif - Staff Governor - Ladybarn Primary
Currently I am an Assistant Headteacher in the Trust for EAL and Equality across the Trust. I started my teaching career in Rochdale and during my time there, I led English. I was then given the opportunity to work in Manchester supporting schools with the remit of Ethnic Minority Achievement. I was placed in Green End when it was in special measures in 2007 and never left! I feel so proud of where the Trust is now, thanks to the hardworking staff.
It is truly a privilege to work across the three schools. I am really passionate about helping all children to achieve their best.
Aaron Davies, Community Governor - Green End/Ladybarn LGB
I moved to Manchester from Australia in 2015. Since arriving, I have always lived in South Manchester. I have worked in health and social care for over 10 years and I am currently a service manager for a children and young people’s therapy service. I have a particular interest in improving outcomes around mental health and wellbeing and the role of public health and community development within this area. In my free time, I am often found walking my dog in one of our local parks, planning my next travel adventure or catching up with friends.
Fiona Long, Community Governor
I have lived in south Manchester since 2002. Until recently I taught Linguistics and English as a Foreign Language at university. I now work for the NHS teaching English to refugee doctors and nurses. I have a passion for learning and helping others to learn and I hope to be able to share both of these as one of the Trust governors. I love spending time outside in my local area, running or walking. I also took up cooking in lockdown which is an ongoing learning experience.
Callum Hogg, Community Governor
Coming soon.
Fraz Majeed - Parent Governor, Green End Primary
I am a dedicated and involved parent of three, elected as a Parent Governor at Green End Primary School. I currently work as an IT Consultant (Service Engineer) in the Banking Sector.
As a devoted parent, I recognize the importance of creating a nurturing and stimulating learning environment for all children. This understanding drives my commitment to promoting inclusivity, open communication, and cooperation among parents, educators, and administration in the school community.
As we embark on this journey together, I am committed to working collaboratively with all stakeholders to ensure our children receive the highest quality education in a nurturing and inclusive environment.
Outside of my Parent Governor responsibilities, I enjoy spending time with family and friends and weight training.