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About Us

The Trust Team

Joanna conlon – Director of finance  

 

Joanna joined the Finance Team at Horizons Education Trust in March 2024 as Director of Finance. She has previous public sector experience, having spent the last 15 years working with the Police, working her way up to Head of Finance. She is a qualified Chartered Accountant.

Joanna will manage the day-to-day financial management and statutory requirements of the Trust.

In her spare time, Joanna enjoys spending time with her family and escaping to faraway places in the pages of a good book.

Jon-James Panther – Operations Manager

Jon has built upon his career opportunities within our Trust. Moving from School Secretary at Spring Common Academy in April 2019, where he oversaw the management of the school office and administration. His next role was Executive Assistant at Horizons, where his management of administration expanded to all schools within the Trust and included supporting the HR function, building on his expertise in HR from a previous career as HR Adviser, supporting 50 schools.

In his role as Operations Manager, Jon manages the administration function for our schools within the Trust, oversees Human Resources processes and policy management as well as premises and estates. He is also the data protection contact for the Trust.

Whilst working, Jon has recently achieved a First for his degree in Business Management with the Open University, he also holds a Level 5 CIPD qualification and an IOSH Managing Safely accreditation.

In his spare time, Jon enjoys walking his dog Teddy and being by the water.

Esther hay - finance assistant

Esther Hay has worked at Spring Common Academy for over twenty years, starting as the School Receptionist and progressing over a number of years into her current role as the Finance Assistant.  I am the first point of call for finance queries within the Trust.

Esther particularly enjoys cultivating relationships with staff and pupils across the Trust.  In her role she is responsible for banking, payroll and the day to day financial management of the Trust and its Academies, whether that be processing an order of stationery for our teachers or paying an invoice for furniture and equipment to sustain an entirely new building project.

When Esther is not in the office she loves to travel and when at home, cooking and gardening are her favourite past times. 

Karen brown - management accountant

Karen joined the Finance team at Horizons Education Trust in September 2023 as Management Accountant.  With fifteen years' experience working as a Financial Analyst and Business Partner in the Media and Banking sectors, Karen will bring her business experience to the Trust Finance Team.  She is a fully qualified Chartered Accountant (SA).

Karen has enjoyed working in the Education Finance Sector for five years. On a day-to-day basis, she will assist the Finance Manager with the preparation of the Monthly Management Accounts and Annual Budgeting/Forecasting; and in ensuring compliance with all Trust Financial Policies and Procedures.

In her spare time, Karen enjoys escaping into thriller novels.

amy spittle - communications executive

Amy joined Horizons Education Trust in October 2022 with a BA (Hons) in English Literature as Trust Communications Administrator, with a skill set in digital media and photography to support the maintenance and development of the Horizons Education Trust and the digital presence of our schools and the Trust.

In April 2023, Amy moved forwards in her role as Trust Communications Executive; Amy shares our Academies’ success stories, maintains our websites and external communications, in addition to ensuring that streamlined and relevant communication channels are available our growing whole school communities.

CPD support has been a highlight of working for the Trust, with Amy having undertaken training courses in “DfE Guidance and Ofsted Expectations for School Websites” and “Social Media Best Practice for Schools”. 

When she isn’t online or taking photos on-site, Amy can be found walking her dog Annie and spending time with her family, ideally on a beach.

Academy Leadership Team

Riverside Meadows Academy - St Neots
Co-Head Teacher - Andrew Armstrong 

Riverside Meadows Academy - Wisbech Green 
Co-Head Teacher - Simon Wall

Spring Common Academy 
Head Teacher - Rebecca Greig

Prestley Wood Academy
Head Teacher Designate - Caroline Place