The Members (Ethos Academy Trust)

Gillian has over 30 years’ experience in mainstream secondary schools in various leadership roles. As Deputy Head, she currently leads on SEND, inclusion and wellbeing at a local high school. Gillian is also chair of the North Kirklees Behaviour and Attendance Collaborative. Gillian has a great deal of experience around safeguarding and SEMH needs and has a particular interest in issues around attachment and Adverse Childhood Experiences. She has had a long connection with Ethos Academy Trust and knows the difference the organisation makes to the lives of our most vulnerable young people. As a school leader, Gillian is aware of the challenges faced by education currently and has experience of curriculum, HR and wider educational issues.

Dr Rajeev Gupta has been a Consultant in the NHS for almost 20 years and was Assistant Professor in Regional Institute of Maternal and Child health for 5 years prior to that.  Although he is a pediatrician, his experience is far more as a leader, author, researcher, professional executive and corporate coach. He has done a Triple Accredited MBA and is executive member of the Council of the Open University Business School. He is Chairman of the Central Specialist Advisory Committee of the Royal College of Pediatrics and Child Health for General Pediatrics and Vice Chairman of the CESR for the Royal College. He has been Chair of the Regional Council of BMA Yorkshire for 5 years and Chair of the Regional Consultant Committee for 4 years. His main area of interest in clinical science is pediatric gastroenterology and nutrition and he has chaired the national education committee of British Society of Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition for 3 years and has been a council member for the society.

Dr Gupta has organised many conferences including virtual Public Engagement and Educational seminars on Mental Health, the Impact of Covid-19, and the Holistic Management of Obesity (which gained over 10,000 viewers).

He is passionate about equality and has been working tirelessly over the past 25 years on various agendas including ethnic equality, gender equality and equality for those who are mentally or emotionally damaged. He does free coaching of women who have been physically or sexually harassed, helping many women to stand up, build self-esteem and start up business. He is Chair of the BME Network at Barnsley Hospital where he works currently, and is also involved in national and international BME Networks.

Dr Gupta is a qualified Yoga Teacher and has run yoga classes for doctors and their families to provide a holistic perspective of natural health. He has been a key person for the iPeer Support programme to support doctors, nurses and other professionals experiencing stress during the Pandemic.

Dr Gupta enjoys being creative: he writes poems and also has entrepreneur skills. One of his creations is a digital product Humanoid Digital Sales Assistant which won the International Hermes Creative Platinum Award in May 2021.

Katie is a chartered accountant with over 25 years of financial and audit experience, working in both the public and private sector. Since qualifying Katie has worked for multi-national corporations in the construction industry, consumer goods and professional services, working in over 100 countries. Such roles provided broad experience of transformation and project management, mergers and acquisitions, finance and risk management, strategic management, governance, and internal and external audit.

Being diagnosed with epilepsy at the age of 23, Katie recognised the concerns disabled persons (and their families) face. As a result, Katie has a stubborn passion for diversity and inclusion, a desire to raise awareness and to drive inner confidence. This has included being Chair of the Disability Employee Support Network for the UK rail industry.

Katie decided to retire early to pursue her desire to support the most vulnerable in our communities. Katie is currently a Trustee for two Multi Academy Trusts in the North East – including Chair of the Finance, Audit, Risk and Resources Committee for Ascent Academies’ Trust; Finance Director for a Community Benefit Society and a Trustee for the UK charity, Young Epilepsy.