Our Executive Team
Lisa is the Interim CEO of Bright Futures Educational Trust, a medium-sized multi-academy trust comprising 11 schools. The trust also leads two Teaching School Hubs, an Early Years Stronger Practice Hub, a Maths Hub, and a large multi-site SCITT delivering extensive teacher training across Early Years, Primary and Secondary phases, alongside a successful wider school improvement and CPD offer. Bright Futures Educational Trust is rightly proud of its strong values, child-centred approach, and the significant contribution it makes to the education sector.
Lisa has been with the Trust for 11 years, holding key executive roles including Director of the Teaching School (Co-Principal at AGGS), Director of Development & Partnerships, Director of Education, and, for the past two years, Deputy CEO. Lisa was also the architect behind the Trust’s Professional Development Institute (PDI), which has strengthened teaching and leadership both within and beyond the Trust through accredited training, coaching, and collaborative programmes. This work has improved educational outcomes, shared best practice widely, and extended the Trust’s influence in the wider education community.
Lisa has recently been elected to the Teaching School Hub Council, working closely with fellow CEOs, system leaders and Department for Education colleagues. She is also a member of the Greater Manchester Mayoral Reform Board and the Greater Manchester Learning Partnership Executive Group.
With 30 years’ experience in education, Lisa has made a substantial contribution to the sector, with her work recognised both locally and nationally. She has also given generously through a range of governance roles, including serving as Chair of Trustees for another multi-academy trust and chairing a national wellbeing board during the pandemic for the Well Schools Movement.
Lisa became a Fellow of the Chartered College of Teaching in 2022 and was awarded an OBE in the King’s Birthday Honours List in June 2025 for services to education.
Sarah is a strategic and values-driven educational leader, committed to school improvement and ensuring success for every student. With a deep passion for inclusion, she ensures equity, ambition and excellence guide every decision, securing “the best for everyone, the best from everyone.”
In her career, Sarah has led school-to-school support across two teaching schools and drove excellence as a leader in three ‘Outstanding’ schools. As Principal, Sarah successfully led the launch and growth of a 1,500-place secondary academy, establishing it as the area’s school of choice with a ‘Good’ Ofsted rating and sustained strong progress scores.
As Executive Leader at Bright Futures, Sarah played a key role in rapid school improvement, cultural transformation and enhanced student outcomes. She also provides leadership coaching and has facilitated on NPQ leadership programmes, supporting the development of leaders across phases
Sarah serves as a governor at a Stockport primary school and contributes to national school improvement initiatives providing support to other schools through the DfE Rise programme. Sarah recently completed the National Professional Qualification for Executive Leadership (NPQEL)
As Director of Education, Sarah is relentless in her drive to support leaders to champion and drive inclusive, high-performing school cultures across all phases.
Anna graduated with a BA (Hons) in Accounting & Finance in 2000 and trained as a Chartered Management Accountant in 2002, qualifying in 2005. She began her career in the corporate sector, progressing to a senior role as Head of Financial Control within the retail industry before moving into the education sector in 2018.
Since then, Anna has gained extensive experience in education, working in business, finance, and senior leadership roles across schools and trusts. She was commissioned to support multiple schools in a system leadership capacity, sharing her expertise to drive improvement and sustainability. Anna joined Bright Futures in July 2021 as Director of Business and Commercial Finance, later becoming Finance Director, and now serves as Chief Finance & Operations Officer.
In her current role, Anna leads a broad portfolio of operational areas including Finance, Estates, Digital, HR, Procurement, Governance, and Compliance. She works closely with Executive Leaders, School Leaders, Trustees, Local Governing Bodies, and external agencies to ensure strategic alignment and operational excellence. Anna is committed to delivering high standards of efficiency, effectiveness, and innovation across all operational functions, ensuring that resources are maximised to support educational outcomes. She has a particular expertise in integrated curriculum-led financial planning, supporting academies and the trust in achieving financial effectiveness and long-term sustainability.
Beyond her work in education, Anna has held a non-executive position in the NHS for Salford CCG, where she supported Finance & Governance and served as Chair of the Audit Committee.
Jayne is the Director of Professional Development at Bright Futures Educational Trust. Jayne leads Bright Futures Professional Development Institute (PDI) which includes two Teaching School Hubs, a Maths Hub, a SCITT (School Centred Initial Teacher Training), a SEND Outreach service, an Early Years Stronger Practice Hub and a wider commercial offer through Bright Futures Training. Jayne leads on the strategic design and delivery of high-impact professional learning, delivered at significant scale. With a focus on evidence-informed pedagogy and leadership development, Jayne ensures educators at all levels have access to innovative training that drives excellence in teaching and learning. Jayne is passionate about teacher, leader and wider staff professional development and plays a significant role in leading quality assurance across the PDI to ensure high quality delivery of professional development.
With over 25 years experience in education, Jayne has held a number of school-based senior leadership posts as well as trust-level executive leadership posts. Her specific areas of expertise lie within safeguarding, teaching and learning, Early Years and professional development.
As an Executive Leader, Jayne leads on the trust’s professional development strategy which includes bringing together central colleagues and school-based professional development leads to engage with pedagogy and evidence-based research to inform practice. She is passionate about fostering a culture of collaboration and continuous improvement, aligning professional development with school-level priorities. Jayne has extensive experience in talent development and is committed to empowering teachers and leaders to thrive in an ever-evolving educational landscape.
144 Irlam Road, Flixton
Manchester M41 6NA
Call us: 0161 941 5681
Link takes you to our Twitter page @BrightFuturesET