Our Executive Team
Lisa is the 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, two years as Deputy CEO and a period as Interim 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 Carmichael is Director of Professional Learning & Partnerships at Bright Futures Educational Trust, where she provides strategic leadership for professional development, partnerships and trust-wide improvement priorities. Her role reflects a portfolio that brings together her extensive experience in leading high-quality professional learning at scale, alongside her expertise in safeguarding, SEND and partnership development.
Jayne has strategic oversight of the Trust’s 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 training offer. She is responsible for the strategic design and delivery of evidence-informed professional learning, ensuring educators at all levels have access to impactful development that drives excellence in teaching and leadership. In addition to her leadership of professional development, Jayne provides trust-wide oversight of safeguarding and SEND strategy. Her work is characterised by a strong commitment to safeguarding excellence, ensuring the safety and wellbeing of all pupils.
A highly experienced executive leader, Jayne has over 25 years in education, including senior leadership roles in schools and at trust level. She has also previously served as an Interim CEO, bringing a breadth of system leadership expertise to her current role. Her leadership is underpinned by a strong track record of building effective partnerships and fostering collaboration across organisations to improve outcomes for children and young people.
Jayne is passionate about developing teachers, leaders and wider staff, and is committed to creating a culture of continuous improvement. She works closely with central teams and school leaders to align professional learning with evidence-based practice and school priorities, supporting talent development and enabling colleagues to thrive in a dynamic and evolving educational landscape.
144 Irlam Road, Flixton
Manchester M41 6NA
Call us: 0161 941 5681
Link takes you to our Twitter page @BrightFuturesET