Members

Responsibilities:

• To change the Articles

• To appoint/remove members and Trustees 

• Direct trustees to take special action, when approved by special resolution

• Appoint and remove auditors

• Receive the annual report and accounts

• Review Trustees performance

Governed by:

Articles of Association

Meetings:

One per year (Members AGM)

Turner Schools, in common with other academy groups, is a not-for-profit charity. We are formally constituted as a limited company, which requires us to have Members.

MeIRION alcock

Mel is an experienced Chair, Non-Executive and Executive Director with experience garnered at Fremantle, Disney, Sky and Curzon. He has served as the Chair of the British Board of Film Classification, Mentor at Ascension Ventures, Vice Chair of Cement Fields and Owner of the Complete Circle Consultancy Ltd. Management experience ranges from large multi-territory, matrix-based companies, as well as second-stage, high-growth companies. 

Mel has strengths in governance, shareholder management, digital, customer interfaces, corporate structures and staff motivation. 

Relevant Interests: None

Appointed: August 2020

Remuneration and expenses to date: £0

sARAH BEAVON

Sarah is a senior university leader with over 20 years’ experience driving digital and operational transformation across the Higher Education sector. As Chief Digital & Student Experience Officer at Canterbury Christ Church University, she leads the University’s digital strategy and student and academic services, delivering user-centred, future-focused solutions that enhance teaching, research, and the student journey.

She also serves nationally as Treasurer and Trustee of UCISA, shaping digital capability and strategic direction across the UK’s education sector. A champion for Women in IT and a named as one of the ‘Top 100 IT Innovators and Changemakers of 2025’, Sarah is known for her collaborative leadership, strategic insight, and commitment to building digitally confident, people-centred organisations.

Relevant Interests: Trustee - Sandwich Technology School (11 Jan 23 - 11 Jan 27) 

Appointed: February 2026

Remuneration and expenses to date: £0

tracie coultas-pitman

Tracie has a wealth of leadership and management experience within the field of special educational needs and disability in charity and education. Tracie has served as the Regional Director of Scope for the South of England, was the Executive Head of the Autism Schools Trust and is currently CEO of BeyondAutism, with two outstanding independent special schools. 

She has extensive experience of developing early year’s provision, establishing outreach and training services, providing strategic leadership to schools and developing Post 19 and adult services.

Relevant Interests: CEO of BeyondAutism

Appointed: October 2020

Remuneration and expenses to date: £0

jonathan fingerhut

Jonathan is a consultant focused on business and marketing advice and solutions for schools. One of his specialties is comprehensive stakeholder audits to develop student recruitment strategies and plans in schools. He also advises trust and governing boards on how to become more effective.

Jonathan engages with the DfE and local authorities – advising on SEND, social inclusion, mediation and fostering/adoption issues with Ministers and senior officials. Jonathan was the founding chair of trustees for a highly successful £50 million voluntary aided state school which opened in 2010. Jonathan is an accredited mediator and mentor to CEOs, directors, trustees and school principals/heads. 

Relevant Interests: None

Appointed: August 2020

Remuneration and expenses to date: £0

adam oliver

Adam Oliver is a qualified barrister who has spent 25 years working in various industries, most recently in the renewable energy sector in project development and advisory capacities. He also has a legal practice and specialises in commercial and corporate law. 

Adam has a strong interest in education and governance having previously served as a Governor of Meridian Primary School in Greenwich, Eltham Green School and the International Academy of Greenwich (where he was the founding Chair in the pre-launch phase). 

Relevant Interests: None

Appointed: August 2020

Remuneration and expenses to date: £0

DR AJAY SHARMAN

Dr Ajay Sharman is the South East Lead for STEM Learning Ltd, working with businesses and schools to promote Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics to young people and ensure that STEM-educated role models are meaningfully linked to schools to inspire a new generation.  

Ajay also represents STEM Learning on the SELEP Skills Advisory Panel and the Digital Skills Partnership, working with a number of organisations. Ajay is a former Corporate Director with over twenty years’ commercial, leadership, people management and education experience. 

Relevant Interests:  Governor (2009) - The Whitstable School, Chair of Trustees (2019), Trustee (2017) - Dartford Science & Technical College, Trustee (Sep 21) - ALETHEIA  ACADEMIES TRUST 

Appointed: June 2021

Remuneration and expenses to date: £0

Minutes can be requested via governance@turnerschools.com 

DR Lynnette Turner

Date of leaving: 30.10.2025

Relevant Interests: Member of Aquila Trust (Aug 2020) 

Attendance 2024/25: 1/1

Appointed: July 2024

Remuneration and expenses to date: £0