Staff

Mark Mountcastle - Chief Executive Officer

Mark was appointed as the first full time CEO of Our Lady Help of Christians Catholic Academy Trust in September 2023. Mark brings a wealth of knowledge and skills to his current role, having worked in education for over 30 years; as a teacher, headteacher, executive headteacher, a Lead Diocesan Canonical Inspector, National Leader in Education (NLE) as well as being an accredited Pupil Premium reviewer and advisor to Salford Diocese Department for Education.

Mark has a successful track record of working in both outstanding schools as well as schools facing challenging circumstances. His experience lies in improving leadership and management, impacting on teaching and learning and, as a consequence, raising standards. As a result of his work, schools have seen improved outcomes and his supportive role has been recognised by numerous leaders, staff, governors and external reviewers.

ceo@olhoc.org.uk

Emma Foulkes - Chief Financial Officer

Emma was appointed full time CFO for Our Lady Help of Christians Catholic Academy Trust in March 2023. She leads on all aspects of financial planning, management and reporting, which includes the provision of an effective framework of financial systems, procedures, health and safety, risk management and internal control.

Emma is an experienced finance professional having worked in the academies sector as a management accountant for twelve years. She joined All Hallows College as Finance Manager in 2018 and led the implementation of a centralised finance operation installing integrated finance, budgeting, procurement and operational solutions to support a robust and efficient business function within the Trust.

Emma is committed to delivering a flexible and supportive central finance service which will effectively manage funds to meet the Trust’s vision and strategic objectives and secure the financial resilience and sustainability of the Trust. She is passionate about collaboration across both primary and secondary settings and to have the opportunity to support each of our individual schools as they all strive to achieve a common goal of giving our students the very best start to enable them to realise their potential.

cfo@olhoc.org.uk

Neil McCurrie - HR & People Manager

Neil joined Our Lady Help of Christians Trust in October 2023 as People and HR Manager. His role supports the member schools in the Trust in all aspects of employee & industrial relations, policy, organisational design and safer recruitment. He provides strategic advice on design and application of people policies in line with statutory and collective agreements.

A fully qualified associate member of the Chartered Institute of Personal and Development Neil has enjoyed a career in human resources for over 15 years working in a variety of industries from media and telecommunications to logistics, most recently working for the Local Authority providing education HR and people centred support to a large number of schools within the Cheshire area.

Neil is passionate about developing a values based culture and environment where people are at the centre of what we do and have the opportunity to be their best supporting them in delivering an excellent education to our students.

hr@olhoc.org.uk

Becky Sidebotham - Finance Manager

Becky was appointed as Trust Finance Manager in April 2023. She engages in all aspects of financial planning, management and reporting for the Trust, as well as overseeing the day to day support provided by the Finance Officers to all our schools.

Becky spent her early career working in the banking sector before moving into education in 2018. In 2019, Becky joined All Hallows College and has been instrumental in the development and implementation of the centralised finance structure and protocols within the Trust.

Becky is dedicated to providing a supportive business function to all our schools and is committed to improving efficiency and consistency across the Trust. She takes a collaborative approach to ensure that all funding and resources are effectively managed in line with the Trust's objectives and vision. Becky oversees the onboarding and training programme for new schools when we welcome them into the Trust.