Melanie Huttunen (Chair)

I grew up in Norfolk where I attended a village primary school of around 60 pupils - our schools bring back strong memories of that!

I studied French at Manchester University and then started my career as a teacher of English as a foreign language in Finland. Our customers were business people so I had a wide experience of different areas of commerce and production.

After moving back to the UK I began work for De La Rue and stayed there for nearly 30 years in a variety of roles. These were all linked to sales, but I also had responsibility for training. I very much enjoyed my many trips to Asia and love Sri Lanka. I spent many years in school governance at both primary and secondary level when my boys were growing up. I am relatively new to the Cotswolds, having moved here in 2020. I am now starting my retirement.

 

 

 

 

Mark John (Vice Chair and Chair of Finance Committee)

I have two children Amelia and Dan who are both former pupils at Swell Primary School.

I am passionate about ensuring we give our children the very best opportunities both in School through academic achievement and outside of school through trips, residential camps, outside learning and sport. 

I am excited to be working with an Academy Trust and all of the opportunities that will bring to us all.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Harry Paget-Wall Collins

 

I am delighted to be a Director for NCSF. I have lived in the Cotswolds for 20 years and have worked in Education for 26 years. I have been very fortunate to experience leadership in mainstream Secondary and Primary Schools and now I am a Deputy CEO for Specialist Provision MAT.  I am very passionate about ensuring, through the highest of standards and aspirations, that all children and young people have the very best educational opportunities for them to be able to flourish as active citizens in their communities. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Victoria Butterworth

I grew up in the Cotswolds, attending a primary school similar to the small village settings of some in NCSF. I believe in the value of small local schools, and their ability truly to nurture the early years of a child’s formal education. I have 15 years experience working in the education technology sector and am excited to bring my marketing, editorial and commercial experience to the trust.

Theeshanthani Kandasamy

I am delighted to be a Director for NCSF Trust. I’m passionate about supporting local schools and helping create an environment where students and staff can thrive. Supporting a local cause like this gives me great joy and a real sense of purpose. I hold an MBA in Finance, an MSc in Financial Technology, and I am a Chartered Global Management Accountant (CIMA), which gives me a strong foundation in strategy, analytics, and financial management.

I have extensive experience in change management and analytics, helping organisations turn complex information into actionable insights, improve processes, and deliver meaningful outcomes. I bring this expertise to my role as a director, supporting strategic planning and effective governance to help the schools continue to grow and succeed.

Rebecca Hughes-Noon

Throughout my career, I have been motivated by a desire to help children flourish and to support schools where every member of the community feels valued.

My experience spans both the maintained and independent sectors, alongside school inspection in the UK and internationally. I hold the National Professional Qualification for Executive Leadership (NPQEL) and these experiences have given me a broad perspective on educational leadership, school improvement and the importance of creating environments where children, colleagues and communities can flourish.

I am delighted to serve as a Director because it gives me the opportunity to support schools beyond my own and contribute to the success of children across our local community. I look forward to bringing my experience and perspective to the Board, working alongside fellow Directors and school leaders to help every school within the Trust flourish.

Away from work, I enjoy the balance that life in the beautiful Cotswolds brings. My husband and I love exploring the countryside on foot and by bike and value the strong sense of community that makes this area so special. I also enjoy supporting charitable causes through fundraising challenges and believe that giving back is an important part of community life.

Jackie Buckland (CEO and Accounting Officer)

I am absolutely delighted to be CEO for the NCSF MAT. I have a wide range of leadership experience including Headship and working as School Improvement Lead for a large Multi-Academy Trust. I have a proven track record of improving the quality of teaching and learning, both in my own and others' schools.

I have a passion for wellbeing, both for pupils and staff - I worked for the Healthy School Team in Gloucestershire, have led on Wellbeing for another Trust and have always made it a key priority in any of my roles. I firmly believe that to truly put children at the heart of all we do, we also need to put all our staff at the heart of everything we do as leaders.

I am very much a "can do" person, with an enthusiastic, energetic, hands-on approach; I really enjoy supporting leaders to ensure that the culture of their schools through relationships, high expectation and quality provision result in measurable positive outcomes for all pupils. I also support early career leadership through being a facilitator and coach for ECTs and NPQLT.

On a personal note, I enjoy spending time with my family and travelling - especially to my parents' home in France.