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The Directors

Mr Perry Huntley

Chair of Directors

I am an MBA graduate with over 20 years’ experience in food service retailing, including senior positions at Whitbread, Mitchells & Butlers and Stonegate where I have led teams delivering significant change programmes, brand transition, product innovation and team skills development. Married with three daughters, a park runner, music lover and avid Portsmouth FC fan.
I've been lucky enough to have been a Governor at two schools within our community cluster and I am one of the founding members helping Henlow to academy status in 2012. Since then I've been the chair of trustees supporting and challenging "our school" through some significant transformational programmes notably, recruiting our Head Teacher, setting and monitoring strategic direction, three Ofsted + two SIAMS inspections and seven annual reports.
I'm even luckier to get a front row seat at many whole school gatherings such as our end of term assemblies, key stage drama productions and concerts from our annual visit from the Watoto (Children's) choir from Uganda, just one of the amazing fundraising events our Children passionately support.
I believe my role is to work closely with the trustees, the SLT and key stakeholders to deliver an exciting long term future for the school, ensuring parents and carers have choice and confidence in pupil progress and attainment. To positively challenge financial and performance management and celebrating our success along the way.

Mr Paul Hayward

Director of Education Provision

I am a Mechanical Engineering graduate with approaching 40 years experience in the offshore oil and gas industry, currently working the UK's first carbon capture and storage project. I was a parent governor for a number of years before becoming a trustee/director when the Poppy Hill MAT was formed. I have lived locally for 20 years and all 3 of my children attended Henlow Academy

Mr Dean Langton

Director of HR

I have been a Trustee for Poppyhill Trust for two years. I have lived locally to Meppershall and Henlow for forty years and understand the importance both schools have in their communities. I attended Henlow Academy and both my children loved going to the school. I am a Director for a Legal Recruitment firm responsible for the supply of lawyers to government, charities and public inquiries. Outside of work, I am a Trustee for a local charity and enjoy coaching my daughter’s football team.

Mrs Tracy Molyneux

Director of Finance/Vice Chair

I am a qualified accountant with over 20 years post qualification experience in various accounting roles from auditing, finance management to my existing role as Financial Controller of a £15m business. I am the finance lead governor and my role involves regularly meeting with the finance staff at Henlow Academy, understanding the financial position of the Academy, challenging budgets set and actual results reported. I also assist with the audit process and review the financial accounts before they are presented to the whole Governing Body.
I have 2 children who attend Henlow Academy and have a keen interest in reviewing the performance data of the school, especially progress made for SEN children.
Outside of my role as an accountant I am a keen sportswoman and represent Bedfordshire at Badminton.

Rev Shaun Speller

Director of Christian Ethos

I graduated in 1987 with a BA (Hons) in Government from Birmingham University. I then worked for H.M. Revenue and Customs for 24 years in a variety of roles including debt recovery, technical casework, people management and training development. In 2011 I trained for full time ordained ministry in the Church of England at Ripon College Cuddesdon, in Oxford. After completing my training as a curate, I was appointed Vicar of Henlow and Langford in January 2017.
I am a familiar face around the school, spending most Monday afternoons at Henlow Academy, as well as involvement in collective worship and assemblies. I take a keen interest in pastoral issues and I am the link governor on attendance matters. I am also involved in two other feeder schools - Raynsford Academy as a Church Foundation Governor and Langford Village Academy as a regular visitor.
My key role is to contribute to the distinctive Christian character of the school which is expressed in a strong community ethos.

Mrs Naomi Matthiae

Director of Safeguarding

I am a BACP registered counsellor, providing therapeutic support for children who are struggling with mental health problems, accessing education or family difficulties, many of whom have a diagnosis of ASD and/or ADHD. I have worked for many years with children and their families in a variety of settings including specialist schools and a children’s hospital. I can provide support for the Governing Board through my extensive experience of working with children with a range of special educational needs and disabilities. I applied to become a Parent Governor as I wanted to support the school at this time of uncertainty and potential change. My daughter attends Henlow and she is thriving and very settled at the school.