Susan Fielden

Susan is the Trust Funding Specialist for the Confederation of Schools Trusts (CST), the national organisation and sector body for school trusts in England advocating for, connecting and supporting executive and governance leaders. CST represents more than half of the academy sector in England, connecting Susan to employers across the country.

Susan has worked in the field of school finance for over 30 years, at a school, local authority and national level, most recently as the Chief Finance Officer in a ten-school multi-academy trust. As a qualified accountant, she has dealt with complexity and detail, a wide range of stakeholders and an ever-changing political and regulatory context, always seeking to find strategic solutions and improving the cost- effective use of public funding. She is a trustee/director in a multi-academy trust in Somerset, represents CST at various national policy groups on funding, finance, pay and pensions and delivers consultancy support to schools and academies on strategic education-led financial planning.

John Pratten

Following a career of 17 years in the Regular Army John spent a further 20 years in the Reserves. After leaving the Regular Army John spent two years working in business-to-business Public Relations with national and local clients in a variety of disciplines including national radio and television.

After which, John joined Sutton Valence School (coeducational boarding and day school for students aged 11 to 18) as Director of Development and Administration.

Leaving after two years John joined an international field marketing company as Operations Director working with blue chip fmcg companies such as Walkers Snack Foods and Müller Dairy UK.

John has been Bursar & Clerk to the Governors at Box Hill School for 22 years, which is a coeducational, boarding and day school for 425 students between the ages of 11 and 18. He was responsible for all the duties of a Bursar controlling a turnover of £10million, as well as business development and strategic marketing. He was Company Secretary to the Trust, and a Director of Box Hill School Ltd. During his tenure he completed a substantial building programme.

Before retiring in August 2019 John was Chairman of the Independent Schools Bursars’ Association. He’s currently the non-executive Education Board Chairman for CH&Co.

Lisa Sproats

Lisa is an experienced chartered management accountant and throughout her career has always had a keen focus on the operational side of the organisations she has worked in, ensuring the finance function is an effective enabler providing great service to all stakeholders.

Lisa has worked in a variety of roles ranging from those with a focus on financial compliance and statutory reporting to planning, analysis and total cost productivity. Following a number of years working in finance teams internationally within the manufacturing sector Lisa returned to the UK and joined NCG as its management accountant in January 2008.

In the 14 years Lisa has been part of NCG it has grown from two colleges to the group of seven colleges it has become today. In this time Lisa has held a variety of roles in the finance team which have equipped her to now lead the finance function across the group in her role as CFO of NCG.

Yvonne Moult

I have worked at Blackpool Council for more than 25 years, originally employed in payroll but primarily looking after pension matters for the council. My current role as Senior Pensions Officer means that I am responsible for meeting all employer obligations for Local Government, Teachers and NHS pension schemes for not only the council but also our external customers. I have helped administer the TPS as an employer since 1998, I am in regular contact through my work with schools, academies and teachers around various aspects of the scheme.

I have worked closely with the Local Government Association on Teachers’ Pension (TP) issues chairing two of their groups; the North-West TPLAAG and also the Advisory Group. This involved working with the LGA, colleagues from other local authorities as well as representatives from TP on various administration or policy issues.

Between May 2015 and May 2023 I have been a member representative on the Lancashire Local Pension Board, assisting Lancashire County Council the Administering Authority in its role as Pension Fund Scheme Manager. The Board ensures effective and efficient governance and administration of the LGPS within Lancashire. My main area of focus was administration, communication and service delivery where I could provide invaluable feedback to the rest of the board from personal experience.

Simon Lowe

Simon Lowe joined The Diverse Academies Learning Partnership in April 2017 and is currently the Trust’s Senior Finance Manager. His responsibilities include leading the team of Finance Managers and Finance Officers, overseeing the Trust’s budget planning process and reporting to the Board of Trustees and driving the focus on long term financial viability and value for money.

Prior to joining The Diverse Academies Learning Partnership Simon held various managerial roles in both finance and payroll at a number of institutions including Multi Academy Trusts, Local Authorities, including Derbyshire County Council and Sheffield City Council and Maintained Schools and sat on a number of Interim Executive Boards as the Sheffield City Council local authority finance representative.

Prior to his career in the education sector, Simon spent a number of years in management in the leisure industry.