Ria joined the Trust in March 2024 as Director of Finance.

Ria has worked in finance for the education sector for 18 years and is a qualified member of the Association of Accounting Technicians (AAT) and is part qualified with the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA).

Ria will support schools and leaders to achieve financial security and sustainability, whilst helping to provide the best possible outcomes and life chances for all young people and families.

Ria has been a governor of a Primary school since 2022, a role which she enjoys and has given her a greater insight into other aspects of school life. In her spare time, Ria enjoys dancing, ballroom and Latin and is also learning Spanish.

My Impact:

• Ensured compliance with all financial regulations and reporting requirements.
• Updated the monthly management accounts to include a broader overview of the financial position.
• Successfully obtained grant funding of £6k to aid school projects.
• Introduced ‘School on a page’ reporting.
• Along with the finance team, achieved a clean Year-end audit.

Sian joined the Trust in March 2022 as a Senior Finance Officer.

Before joining Empower Trust Sian has worked as a Senior Finance Officer at another Multi Academy Trust for over 3 years. She was responsible for providing financial and system support to academies and to the Finance Manager. Prior to this Sian worked in accounts for 5 years in the renewable energy sector at an anaerobic digestion plant.

Sian works closely within the finance team and provide support to schools across the Trust.

My Impact:

• I have implemented a robust system for tracking income related to special needs and early years funding which ensures that funds are accurately tracked, enabling timely adjustments and informed decision-making.
• The monthly budget monitoring meetings I hold in schools enable financial forecasting and planning for the future, ensuring schools remain financially stable.

Becky is the Financial Officer for Empower Trust based at the central office. Becky joined us in 2018 as a Financial Administrator. In October 2019, she was promoted to Finance Officer.

From 2010 – 2018 Becky worked in retail banking with 5 of those years spent as Counter Manager in various different branches.

Becky works closely with the Headteachers, Business Managers and Admin teams and visits each School on a monthly basis to review school income and expenditure and is responsible for maintaining accurate financial records across the Trust.

My Impact:

• Over the last twelve months I have ensured we remain compliant by following the Trust Financial Handbook.
• Along with the finance team I have contributed to a clear year end audit.
• Ensured we adhere to our creditors terms and conditions.

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