Our Board
This page contains information about the Learn Sheffield Board. This includes making the agenda and non-confidential versions of papers and minutes for meetings of Learn Sheffield’s Board of Directors available for inspection. Please note that non-confidential minutes will only be made available after they have been approved by the Board at its subsequent meeting. All correspondence regarding the board should be directed to the Clerk to the Board via Andrew.bingham@learnsheffield.co.uk.
Click on the links below to learn more.
Current Board
Board Recruitment
AGM 2025
Previous AGMs
The Current Board
The Board has eight nominated members and has the option to co-opt a further four members.
The current Board is listed below and Antony Hughes is the Chair of the Learn Sheffield Board.
Stephen Betts
Chief Executive Officer – Executive Director
Stephen was appointed as the Interim Chief Executive of Learn Sheffield in late summer 2015, having previously chaired the working group that determined the approach that Sheffield would take to school improvement. Following a competitive recruitment process, he was appointed to the substantive Chief Executive role in May 2016. Before becoming involved with Learn Sheffield, Stephen was the Headteacher of Malin Bridge Primary School and had worked for 17 years in the primary sector. His previous schools were Ecclesfield Primary and Nook Lane Junior School.
Laura Gillespie
Special School sector nominated Director
Laura was appointed as the Special School Director on the Board of Learn Sheffield in February 2023. She is currently the Chair of Governors at Bents Green Special School. Laura is a previous Special School representative on Sheffield Schools Forum and is also currently the Chair of Sheffield Parent Carer Forum, where she has a focus on inclusion and preparing children and young people for adulthood. She was a physiotherapist prior to having children, specialising in neurology.
Christopher Holder
Primary School sector nominated Director
Chris has almost thirty years teaching experience working in multicultural inner city schools in both London and Sheffield. He has been the Headteacher of Lowfield Primary School since 2012 and is one of the two Primary School Directors on the Board of Learn Sheffield, which he joined in December 2016. Chris has been a National Leader of Education and has been deployed as both an Executive Headteacher and an Associate Headteacher. He represents his locality partnership on the Primary Partnership Group.
Antony Hughes
Chair of the Board – Co-opted Director
Antony was appointed as one of the co-opted non-executive Directors on the Board in February 2017. He became the Chair of the Board in September 2021. He is currently the Chief Executive of The Harmony Trust, which is a multi-academy trust containing schools in Oldham and Derby. Antony was previously Commissioner for Children’s Services and Director of the Inclusion and Learning Service at Sheffield City Council, in which roles he worked closely with Learn Sheffield. Antony worked for the Department for Education before coming to Sheffield.
Angela Lant
Co-opted Director
Angela became a co-opted Director in September 2021. She had previously been one of the two Primary School Directors on the Board of Learn Sheffield. Angela worked in Primary education for more than thirty years, in a variety of contexts, and led schools for more than twenty years. In her last role Angela was part of the Executive Team at Tapton School Academy Trust and, in her role as Director of Primaries, led a team of five Sheffield primary schools. Angela also represented her locality partnership on the Primary Improvement Board and supported a wide range of local education initiatives.
Bev Matthews
Secondary School sector nominated Director
Bev is currently Chief Executive Officer of the Minerva Learning Trust in Sheffield. It is a local academy trust comprising four secondary schools , one primary school and a FE college. She is one of the two Secondary School Directors on the Board of Learn Sheffield, which she joined in March 2020. Bev has over 18 years of experience in the education sector, including FE and secondary settings and LA roles. She returned to school leadership in Sheffield following a period of Headship in West Yorkshire.
Nicola Shipman
Primary School sector nominated Director
Nicola has over 35 years of teaching and leadership experience. She is the Chief Executive Officer of Steel City Schools Partnership, an academy trust in Sheffield, providing education to over 3,500 pupils aged 2+ to 11+ and employment to over 550 staff in the area across ten schools. Nicola is a National Leader of Education and in this role works across the Yorkshire and Humber region. Nicola has led a number of schools as Executive Headteacher and has wide experience of successful system leadership.
Paul Simpson
FE sector nominated Director
Paul is the Executive Director of People at The Sheffield College. He has more than 25 years’ human resources experience in the public and private sector, the majority being in the further education sector. Paul was born in Rotherham and is a graduate of Sheffield Hallam University. Making a difference to Sheffield City Region is important to Paul and a key reason for his support for Learn Sheffield.
Mark Sheikh
SCC nominated Director
Mark currently holds the position of Head of Service – Resourcing and Business Planning at Sheffield City Council. With 20 years of dedicated service to the council, Mark is an accomplished senior manager with extensive expertise in organizational planning, budgeting, business planning, business strategy, and financial management. Prior to his tenure with the council, he spent a decade working for an international charity based in Thailand.
Mark's academic qualifications include a bachelor’s degree in economics, a master’s degree in business administration, and he is a Fellow Member of the Association of Certified Chartered Accountants (FCCA).
Beyond his professional commitments, Mark enjoys engaging in various sports, with a particular passion for squash, table tennis, and cricket.
Mai Mai Steele
Co-opted Director
Mai Mai Steele is the newly appointed CCO at Sheffield-based Software Consultancy The Curve. Prior to this, she was fortunate in gaining experience and insight into business operations, facilities, HR and technical project management during her 11 year tenure at a global software company. Mai also had the opportunity to work on a variety of local community projects including Laptops for Kids/All (working closely with Learn Sheffield), as well as being heavily involved in the early stages of an ongoing project to address digital exclusion in the city. Mai has also been involved with various partnerships and projects alongside colleges and universities in Sheffield and enjoys being part of any initiative to enhance learning opportunities in the city.
Mike Westerdale
Secondary School sector nominated Director
Mike is Chief Executive Officer of Brigantia Learning Trust in northeast Sheffield. It is a 2-19 local multi academy trust currently made up of 5 academies, an infant academy, a junior academy, a 2-16 all through academy, a secondary academy and a 16-19 academy . He is one of the two Secondary School Directors on the Board of Learn Sheffield, which he joined in February 2019. Mike has been a secondary school leader since September 2000 and became Principal of Parkwood E-Act Academy in 2010. Subsequently he has worked in a national role for a large multi academy trust and has worked in Liverpool, London, Manchester, and the West Midlands focussing on 2-19 education.
Sally Williams
SCC nominated Director
Sally is the Director of Children and Families at Sheffield City Council, she is a registered social worker and has worked within Children’s Services for over 25 years. I have extensive operational experience as a social worker alongside a wide breadth of experience as a manager and a senior leader in all areas of Children’s Services including Provider Services, Early Help, Safeguarding and Innovative Services.
Sally has lots of experience in the working within the Ofsted framework and a commitment to achieving the best outcomes for children in the city.
Board Recruitment
Advertisement: Co-opted Directors for the Learn Sheffield Board of Directors
Learn Sheffield wishes to appoint up to two additional directors to join its board. Learn Sheffield is committed to diversity, equity and inclusion and particularly welcomes applicants from people of colour and other minority groups.
This is an opportunity to join a board of well-respected leaders and to influence the future of education in Sheffield. You will be joining the board of Learn Sheffield, an innovative partnership, which is poised at an important moment in its development. You will have the opportunity to shape the strategic direction of Learn Sheffield as it gears up for a crucial role in shaping and delivering on the 10-year education strategy for the city.
We are seeking to appoint directors who can contribute to the strategic direction of the Company.
Learn Sheffield particularly welcomes applications from individuals from diverse backgrounds and is keen to ensure that the board has the knowledge and experience to serve our communities. We welcome expressions of interest from suitably experienced individuals with commercial, legal, HR and finance backgrounds and an interest or background in education.
How to Apply
Please complete the application form at: https://forms.office.com/r/PWqQ0hzQ28
Please contact Andy Wynne (Governance Advisor – andy.wynne@learnsheffield.co.uk ) or Stephen Betts (CEO – stephen.betts@learnsheffield.co.uk ) for more information about the role.
Background
Learn Sheffield is a not- for-profit schools company, which is focused on school improvement and is owned by Sheffield’s schools and colleges (who own 80%) in partnership with Sheffield City Council (SCC owns 20%). You can see more background about Learn Sheffield here on our website.
The Learn Sheffield board is responsible for the strategic direction of the company and for monitoring its impact on outcomes for children, young people, schools & colleges and the wider education system in the city. You can see the list and biographies of our directors on our website.
Learn Sheffield (LS) is at an exciting and challenging moment it its development. Since its launch in 2015, LS has established an impressive partnership model for school improvement, with sector-leading engagement from the city’s schools and academies. Schools are overwhelmingly positive about both the leadership of the organisation and the quality of service – engagement is high and the platform is firmly established. Learn Sheffield is commissioned by national bodies, including the DfE to lead on local strategic priorities.
We continue to work closely with Sheffield City Council (SCC) and our third school subscription package, together with commissions and partnerships from other significant organisations mean that Learn Sheffield is moving into a period of great opportunity and potential to grow as we tackle the key challenges facing the education system in the city and beyond.
We are recruiting for that growth – we have a highly experienced and capable core team, working alongside nationally leading associates who bring great expertise and experience to our work with schools, academy trusts, colleges and local partners.
Application pack
Role description
Previous AGMs
AGM 2024
AGM 2023
AGM 2022
AGM 2021
AGM 2020
AGM 2019
AGM/EGM 2018
AGM/EGM 2016
Interim Board
Learn Sheffield AGM 2022
Learn Sheffield Annual General Meeting – 3rd February 2022
The Annual General Meeting of Learn Sheffield will be held on Thursday 3rd February 2022 at 6.00pm. Due to the Coronavirus Pandemic, the meeting will be held virtually, via Zoom (joining instructions are available to members from enquiries@learnsheffield.co.uk).
The agenda items include AGM resolutions in respect of the Financial Statements for the period 1st September 2020 to 31st August 2021, the Directors’ report, the appointment of auditors for 2021/22 and the appointment of Directors for the primary, secondary and further education sectors following calls for nominations during 2021. Proxy forms for members who cannot attend but wish to appoint another attending person or the chair to cast their votes are posted here.
In accordance with the Company’s Articles (Article 40) the attendance of 20 members is required for the AGM to be quorate, consequently it would be appreciated if members could indicate whether or not their establishment will be represented at the meeting (providing the name and designation of the attendee(s) if applicable). Please reply to enquiries@learnsheffield.co.uk, preferably no later than Friday 28th January 2022.
The following documents are posted on this page:
Agenda for the Learn Sheffield AGM – 3rd February 2022
Notice of AGM and Board Resolutions 2022
Learn Sheffield Directors Strategic Report 2020-21 - AGM
Learn Sheffield - Final Members Accounts 2020-21
Learn Sheffield Proxy Form
Guidance Notes re: Proxy Form
Published on behalf of Antony Hughes
Chair of the Board of Directors
Learn Sheffield AGM 2021
Learn Sheffield Annual General Meeting – 4th February 2021
The Annual General Meeting of Learn Sheffield will be held on Thursday 4th February 2021 at 6.00pm. Due to the Coronavirus Pandemic, the meeting will be held virtually, via Zoom (joining instructions below available to members from enquiries@learnsheffield.co.uk).
The AGM will be held on Thursday 4th February 2021 at 6.00pm via Zoom
Zoom details are available from Learn Sheffield – email enquiries@learnsheffield.co.uk
The agenda items include AGM resolutions in respect of the Financial Statements for the period 1 September 2019 to 31 August 2020, the Directors’ report, the appointment of auditors for 2019/20 and the appointment of a Director for the secondary sector following the call for nominations last year. Proxy forms for members who cannot attend but wish to appoint another attending person or the chair to cast their votes are posted here.
In accordance with the Company’s Articles (Article 40) the attendance of 20 members is required for the AGM to be quorate, consequently it would be appreciated if members could indicate whether or not their establishment will be represented at the meeting (providing the name and designation of the attendee(s) if applicable). Please reply to governance@learnsheffield.co.uk, preferably no later than Friday 29th January 2021.
The following documents are posted on this page:
Draft Agenda for Learn Sheffield AGM - 4th February 2021
Notice of AGM and Board Resolutions 20-21
Learn Sheffield Directors Strategic Report 2019-2020 - AGM
Members Accounts 2019/2020
Proxy Form
Guidance Notes re: Proxy Form
Published on behalf of Mike Allen
Chair of the Board of Directors
Learn Sheffield AGM 2020
Our fourth Annual General Meeting will be held on Thursday 30 January 2020 at 6.30 pm at Learn Sheffield Training and Development Hub, Lees Hall Road, Sheffield, S8 9JP.
The agenda items include AGM resolutions in respect of the Financial Statements for the period 1 September 2018 to 31 August 2019, the Directors’ report, the appointment of auditors for 2019/20 and the appointment of Directors following the call for nominations last term.
In accordance with the Company’s Articles (Article 40) the attendance of 20 members is required for the AGM to be quorate, consequently it would be appreciated if you could indicate whether or not your establishment will be represented at the meeting (providing the name and designation of the attendee(s) if applicable). Please reply to governance@learnsheffield.co.uk preferably no later than Friday 24 January 2020.
The papers for this meeting are below:
Notice of AGM and Board Resolutions
Learn Sheffield Directors' Strategic Report 2018-19
Learn Sheffield Member Accounts 2019
Proxy form
Guidance notes regarding proxy form
Learn Sheffield AGM 2019
Minutes of the AGM
Resolution of the AGM
Notice of AGM and Board Resolutions
Proxy form
Guidance notes re Proxy
Learn Sheffield Directors Strategic Report 2017-2018
Learn Sheffield Full Accounts 2018
Please find attached formal notice of the third Annual General Meeting together with a proxy form and guidance notes for completion. The AGM will be held on Wednesday 27 February 2019 at 5.00 pm at Learn Sheffield Training and Development Hub, Lees Hall Road, Sheffield, S8 9JP.
The agenda items include AGM resolutions in respect of the Financial Statements for the period 1 September 2017 to 31 August 2018, the Directors’ report, the appointment of auditors for 2018/19 and the appointment of a Secondary School sector Director following the call for nominations and subsequent ballot last term.
In accordance with the Company’s Articles (Article 40) the attendance of 20 members is required for the AGM to be quorate, consequently it would be appreciated if you could indicate whether or not your establishment will be represented at the meeting (providing the name and designation of the attendee(s) if applicable). Please reply to bookings@learnsheffield.co.uk preferably no later than Friday 22 February 2019.
Learn Sheffield AGM/EGM 2018
Articles approved at EGM (10.04.18)
Model resolution for the AGM
Model resolution for the EGM
Due to insufficient Members being present to constitute a quorum at the EGM on Thursday 22 March 2018, in accordance with Article 40 the Meeting will be re-convened on Tuesday 10 April 2018 at 1.00 pm, at Learn Sheffield Training and Development Hub, Lees Hall Road, Sheffield, S8 9JP. The resolution to be passed at the EGM relates to changes to the Company’s Articles (which have been approved by the Board and agreed by Sheffield City Council). The attendance of one third of members (43) is required for the Meeting to be quorate, consequently it would be appreciated if you could indicate whether or not your establishment will be represented at the meeting. Please reply to bookings@learnsheffield.co.uk preferably no later than Friday 5 April 2018. A proxy form is available on request – please email val.struggles@learnsheffield.co.uk
Postponement of the Learn Sheffield reconvened Annual General Meeting plus Extra ordinary General Meeting scheduled for 28 February 2018
Due to the inclement weather conditions, the reconvened AGM and the EGM scheduled for Wednesday 28 February 2018 were cancelled. These meetings have been rescheduled for Thursday 22 March 2018, 6.30 pm at Learn Sheffield Training and Development Hub, Lees Hall Road, Sheffield, S8 9JP. Please find attached a formal notice of the AGM/EGM together with a proxy form and guidance notes for completion. The AGM Resolutions relate to the Company’s Financial Statements for the period 1 September 2016 to 31 August 2017, the Directors’ report, the appointment of auditors for 2017/18 and the appointment of Directors. The EGM Resolution relates to changes to the Company’s Articles.
The attendance of one third of members (43) is required for the AGM / EGM to be quorate, consequently it would be appreciated if you could indicate whether or not your establishment will be represented at the meeting. Please reply to bookings@learnsheffield.co.uk preferably no later than 4.00 pm Wednesday 21 March 2018.
Financial statements for filing 2017 24.01.18[3010]
Directors' Report for the AGM[3005]
Revised Guidance notes re proxy
Revised Notice of AGM EGM and Board resolutions
REVISED Proposed wording for changes to Articles Spring 2018[1971]
Revised Proxy form
The Interim Board
The Learn Sheffield Interim Board guided the company through its first year, taking responsibility for the companies performance in its first full year and the recruitment of the substantive Chief Executive. The recruitment of the CEO took place in the spring of 2016. The Interim board presented the first company accounts and annual report at the first Learn Sheffield AGM (Annual General Meeting), in the autumn of 2016, which was followed immediately by an EGM (Extraordinary General Meeting). At the EGM the interim board resigned and was replaced by the first substantive board, elected according to the Articles.
The Interim Board had six members, five of these members were nominated by a different sector and the sixth co-opted following a recruitment process. Darren Tidmarsh was the Chair of the Learn Sheffield Interim Board.
- Mike Allen (Co-opted School Governor)
- David Bowes (Secondary School sector)
- Dean Linkhorn (Specialist School sector)
- Councillor Geoff Smith (Sheffield City Council)
- Paul Stockley (Primary School sector)
- Darren Tidmarsh (Sheffield College)