Trustees
The Trustees of The SABDEN Multi Academy Trust understand their role and how it complements that of the role the Chief Executive Officer (CEO).
We have a range of skills, bringing additional value to the Trust ensuring strategic vision and hold the school leadership to account.
We as Trustees have a wide range of technical knowledge and understanding of education, data, statutory responsibilities and performance management and are able to analyse school performance. We are responsible for overseeing leadership, setting targets for school improvement, monitoring progress and improved outcomes for pupils, assisting in the development of strategy, setting and agreeing budgets and priorities for spending, providing a secure environment in which pupils can flourish and ensuring current legislation is embedded in our day to day activities.
When appropriate, we have a visible presence in the schools and set challenging targets for performance at all levels. We appropriately challenge and question our middle and senior leaders.
We are passionate about the education, care and well-being of all our pupils and relentlessly strive to ensure they receive the best possible education and life chances.
The Full Board of Trustees meet three times a year as do the Finance, Operations,Personnel & Audit Sub Committee, Safeguarding & Attendance Sub Committee, Quality Committee (AP) and Quality Committee (SEMH).
Financial information: Please see attached to the school's financial benchmarking service: Schools Financial Benchmarking - GOV.UK (schools-financial-benchmarking.service.gov.uk)
If you wish to learn more about our work please email office@sabden.org.uk
The founding members of The SABDEN Multi Academy Trust have ultimate control over the strategic direction of the academy trust:
TSMAT Current Trustee Structure:
Trustees
Rose Durban - Chair of Trustees
Rose is passionate about changing lives and life-chances for the better and is proud to be a trustee at Sabden Multi Academy Trust. She began her career as a teacher for children with SEND, is a former director of Children’s services in 4 authorities across the country authorities (2 in the South East, one in the West Midlands and one in the South West), has worked as a DfE intervention adviser and served as a non-executive CCG director. Rose is an active Chair of Governors, a trustee for a Multi-Academy Trust and serves as a Laurel Trust trustee, a national charity supporting research and innovation by schools serving areas of multiple disadvantages. She is the Independent Person for her local council, and a Samaritans volunteer. Appointment : 12th May 2025 and Chair of Trustees 15th August 2025 - Term 3 years
Barbara Molog - Trustee M.A, B.A, DipEd.
Barbara spent 30 years teaching in Secondary Schools in some of the most economically and socially deprived areas of London. Following early retirement she has worked as a consultant/project manager devising vocational qualifications. Currently, Barbara is Chair of Mediation plus, Stone Cross Mill Trust and volunteer Clerk to a Trust that maintains a historic museum. Appointment : 31st January 2023 - Term 3 years.
Erika Balkham - Trustee
Erika started her career working in the administration/finance department at Cuckmere House School and from here started the AAT qualification. She then went on to obtain a degree in Accountancy and Finance at the University of Brighton. Erika qualified as a Chartered Certified Accountant in 2012. Erika has practiced accountancy for 7 years and is currently a Manager for a four partner practice in Brighton. Appointment : 31st January 2023 - Term 3 years
Catherine Stanley - Trustee
Catherine is an experienced investment professional having spent over 30 years running a wide range of equity portfolios, including funds with a Environmental, Social and Governance overlay, and has been a small and mid-sized company specialist. Her last role was as Co-Head of the UK Equities team at Columbia Threadneedle Investments. Through her career she has managed teams of portfolio managers and analysts and is a strong believer in creating a collaborative environment to support and benefit all stakeholders. Through investing across sectors she has worked with executive management teams in a wide range of industries debating strategy, financial planning, business outlook and culture. Outside work she has been a volunteer at The Prince’s Trust, a school Governor and an Adult Literacy coach. She read Geography at Oxford and enjoys theatre, music and travel. Appointment : 1 September 2025
Andy Davey - Trustee
Having lived in Hastings for the last 15 years I am really pleased to be joining The Sabden Multi Academy Trust as as Trustee. My 40 years working was spent in customer service and change management environments where I soon learnt the power of people who have a common aim.I have served as governor and chair of governors at both secondary and FE establishments and relish the opportunity to make a difference to our younger pupils as they start their education.
I have also hold several positions in the voluntary sector and my wife is an area manager for the National Trust. We have two tibetan terrier dogs who have boundless energy so walking them takes up some of my free time. Appointment : 1 September 2025
Lynne Galloway - Parent Trustee
Appointment : 31st March 2023 - Term 3 years
Jo Foulkes - CEO/ Trustee
Appointment : 31st January 2023 - Term 3 years
Members
Dr Laurie Bush - Previously held the position of Deputy Chair of East Sussex Police Commission. Dr Bush was also a long serving successful retired Headteacher of a special school with excellent knowledge and understanding of financial and strategic planning.
Appointment 1 September 2020
Margaret Southworth MBE - Before retiring in 2005, MS worked as an Education Welfare Officer (EWO) for East Sussex for over 20 years and therefore has a vast knowledge in the areas of school attendance across mainstream and special schools. Previously she worked in the Department of Health and Social Security DHSS for over 11 years as a direct entrant Executive Officer. She supervised and regulated a team of clerical officers making assessments for supplementary benefits. Later she worked as a Fraud Officer, detecting fraudulent claims, liaising with police preparing cases for court, calculating overpayments and pursuing recovery of overpayments being promoted to Higher Executive Officer and managed a Supplementary Benefits Office in London. MS has recently (Jan 2016) been awarded MBE in recognition for her services to education in governance.
Appointment 1 September 2020
Joe Galvin - Joe has worked with disadvantaged children for the past 50 years and continues to do so. He is a qualified Social Worker and has also worked as a Magistrate in youth and adult courts for 20 years in Lewes and Brighton. Joe experience as a staff Governor for over 10 years until recently. He is passionate about providing quality eduction and pastoral support for all young people. During his spare time Joe's interests including running, paddle boarding, kayaking, sailing and playing the guitar. He also enjoys family time with his wife, three children and four grandchildren.
Appointment 4th July 2019
Jan Green
Appointment 12th June 2023
Barbara Molog
Appointment 12th June 2023
