Michelle is a highly experienced and dedicated professional in People Practice and Human Resources, currently serving as Director of People & Culture across the Trust. A passionate advocate for mental health and staff wellbeing, Michelle brings a wealth of expertise, strategic insight, and compassion to her role.
She holds an Associate CIPD Human Resource Practice qualification, a CIPD Diploma in People Management, and is a member of the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD), the leading professional body for HR and people development. Most recently, Michelle has undertaken a Level 7 Senior People Professional Apprenticeship, further strengthening her strategic leadership capabilities and deepening her impact across the Trust.
Michelle is the Trust Wellbeing Lead and a qualified National Educational Leader in Mental Health, holding a Level 4 Certificate in Mental Health Aware Leadership. She is also a certified Mental Health First Aider, Youth Mental Health First Aider, and Suicide First Aider, reflecting her unwavering commitment to creating psychologically safe and supportive environments for all staff.
Since joining the Trust at its formation in 2018, Michelle’s role has evolved significantly. She has played a pivotal part in shaping the Trust’s culture, providing Executive Assistant duties to the CEO, ensuring the smooth operation of the Shared Services Team office, and serving as a vital link between the Shared Services Team and Trust schools, Headteachers, Governors, and Trustees. As the appointed Trust Governance Professional, she has also completed an accredited qualification to support excellence in governance.
Michelle’s career spans over 20 years in education, including roles as Professional Assistant to Headteachers and Senior Leadership Teams in secondary schools, Educational Visits Coordinator, and PA to a Managing Director. She has also managed an Adult Education Programme, a conference centre, and community facility hire at a large college.
Impact and Initiatives
Michelle’s leadership has already made a profound impact. Last year, she developed and launched a comprehensive Wellbeing Hub for staff, offering access to mental health resources, internal and external signposting, employee benefits, and the Trust’s Employee Assistance Programme. The Hub includes dedicated spaces such as Menopause resources, a Man Cave, Self Care tools, and the Trust’s Staff Wellbeing and Workload Charter.
She also led on a Trust-wide Kindness Initiative, empowering children across schools to lead acts of kindness during Anti-Bullying Week. Activities included writing poems and creating bookmarks, which were shared in public libraries and local communities, spreading positivity and compassion beyond the school gates.