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 2022. 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

 

Jane Millward - Director of Primary Education

Jane joined the Trust in November 2024 and is a highly experienced education professional with a wealth of experience spanning various key roles within the sector. With a career that includes serving as CEO and accounting officer of a large multi-academy trust, Jane has led transformative organisational change, resulting in enhanced performance and systematic improvements.

Her prior roles include serving as a Senior HMI with Ofsted, a Senior Local Authority Officer, and a Headteacher, positions that endowed her with deep expertise in leadership and highly effective school improvement. As a Headteacher of a highly successful school, Jane was also selected as a Consultant Headteacher, where she provided leadership training and coaching to other headteachers, further demonstrating her commitment to raising educational standards.

Throughout her career, Jane has consistently driven positive change, showcasing her strategic vision and ability to lead teams towards sustained improvement in the education system.

j.millward@olhoc.org.uk

 

Neil McCurrie - Director of HR & People

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 Personnel 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

 

Nora Armstrong-Boyle - Director of Pastoral Support and Well-Being (Leaders)

Nora was appointed as Director of Pastoral Support and Wellbeing for School Leaders in September 2025. She brings over 30 years of experience in Catholic education, including 15 years as headteacher of one of our Trust schools, where she was a founding member of the Trust in 2015. Nora has a successful track record of working in both outstanding schools and those facing challenging circumstances. She has worked in very large and small schools, so has a secure understanding of the challenges each one brings.

Nora is highly valued by leaders, staff, governors, external reviewers, and peers alike. In her new role as, she will champion the wellbeing of school leaders across our Trust, helping them navigate the challenges of their roles while continuing to thrive and lead their schools in delivering excellence for the young people and communities they serve.

n.armstrong-boyle@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. 

b.sidebotham@olhoc.org.uk

 

Lauren Roberts - Trust Finance Officer

l.roberts@olhoc.org.uk

 

Imelda Parkes - Trust Finance Officer

i.parkes@olhoc.org.uk

 

John Barkworth - Business & Payroll Support

payroll@olhoc.org.uk

 

Beth Benkoff - Trust Business Manager - Telford & Wrekin and Shropshire

b.benkoff@olhoc.org.uk

 

Natalie McNulty - Education Welfare Officer (Cheshire East Schools) & Trust Lead Contact for Designated Safeguarding Leads

n.mcnulty@olhoc.org.uk