Executive Team (ID 1224)

• Stephen Wheatley
  CEO
  Stephen Wheatley

  Over a 20 year career in education, Stephen has enjoyed very happy and successful posts in teaching and leadership within the primary sector, serving in Catholic schools in the Northampton and Westminster Dioceses.

  Stephen is passionate about providing the very best opportunities for all students and in ensuring that Catholic schools are places of outstanding teaching and learning in which children and young people can live out a shared Catholic mission and faith and begin to realise their innate God-given potential. He is a firm believer in the power of Catholic education to change outcomes for pupils, families and local communities. Before taking up the position of CEO at ASCAT, Stephen was the Executive Headteacher of Holy Rood and Divine Saviour Catholic Primary Schools for 10 years - both judged to be Outstanding in all areas in their most recent S48 inspections by the Diocese of Westminster.

  As an Executive Headteacher, Stephen was firmly committed to developing leadership potential in others and supporting new leaders, both on his own staff teams and more widely, working with the Diocese of Westminster and Herts for Learning to provide mentoring and support. Some of the fruits of this can be seen in a number of leadership positions within a number of our Trust schools.

  Outside of his work for the Trust, Stephen is a proud father of four children who enjoys playing the guitar and the odd run or two.

• Graham Young
  CFO
  Graham Young

  Graham is a qualified Chartered CIPFA Accountant and comes to ASCAT with significant experience of schools and education finance having worked in the sector over the last twenty years for several different local authorities. Most recently prior to joining ASCAT Graham was the finance lead for schools and education for a London local authority and managed their Schools Finance team.

• Christina Reffold
  Director of Governance & Compliance
  Christina Reffold

  Christina's has a background in property and business management before moving into the Public Sector where she has gained experience working in both student facing and operational management roles. She has significant experience of working with Governing Boards and has been awarded qualifications from CIPD, CDI and is currently completing a CIPFA Diploma in financial and operational leadership.

  She has strong connections with the local Catholic Community, having grown up in Harrow and attended Catholic Primary; Secondary; and Sixth Form Education. She is a mother to two children and has a strong family affiliation with the West Coast of Ireland and travel to Achill Island in Mayo most summers.

• Carmel Festenstein
  Director of Resources
  Carmel Festenstein

  Carmel is a dedicated professional with a passion for education and a strong background in school management and resource optimization. With nearly 18 years of experience in the education sector, Carmel has made significant contributions to the improvement of school environments and the overall well-being of students and staff.

  Starting her career as a Teaching Assistant in 2005, she progressed to the role of School Business Manager for Holy Rood and Divine Saviour, where she successfully managed the financial and operational aspects of the schools, ensuring efficient resource allocation and budgetary control. In 2019, Carmel was appointed as the Director of Resources, a position that allows her to leverage her expertise in school management and resource optimization. With a background in Civil Engineering, Carmel brings a unique perspective to her role, enabling her to enhance the estates of all schools within the Trust.

  Carmel has successfully secured funding of over £1.5 million for improvement projects and she works tirelessly to identify and collaborate with top contractors and suppliers, ensuring the Trust's schools receive the highest quality services and materials.

  One of Carmel's key priorities is sustainability and she is actively working towards making the Trust's estates net carbon zero, aligning with the Trust's commitment to environmental responsibility.

  Carmel has two daughters and likes to travel. She is a keen member of a Classical Choir and performs regularly with them, including performances at home and abroad.

• Jo Stokes
  Director of People
  Jo Stokes

  Born and bred in Glasgow, Jo moved to Hertfordshire after firstly graduating from the University of Glasgow with an MA in 1995 and then completing a Postgraduate Diploma in European Business in 1996.

  Following a successful career of over 20 years in leading buying and merchandising teams at Mothercare PLC, after redundancy in 2018, Jo took the decision to re-train in the field of Human Resources. She joined ASCAT in May 2019 as HR Administrator, coming on board as the Trust expanded from one to four schools. Jo's career with ASCAT has grown as the Trust has expanded, and in September 2023 took up the newly created post of Director for People and Culture. Jo is passionate about the opportunities that a Multi Academy Trust can offer their staff, and looks forward to developing these further as the Trust grows. Jo is an Associate Member of the CIPD, having been awarded a Level 5 Diploma in Human Resource Management in August 2020.

• Liam Lynch
  Director of Catholic Life & Mission
  Liam Lynch

  Liam was ordained as a permanent Deacon in 2017 and has worked in secondary education since 2007, beginning his career as a PE teacher before transitioning to Chaplaincy. His passion for youth ministry and faith formation began in 2003, during a gap year at Westminster Diocese's Youth Retreat Centre (SPEC), and has since shaped his vocation in education and spiritual accompaniment.

  A product of Catholic education from North London, Liam is committed to fostering a deep and meaningful relationship with God in the lives of students and colleagues, one that brings about personal flourishing and inspires engagement with the wider world - building the Kingdom of God.

Directors (ID 1225)

• Tony Leahy
  Chair of Trust Board
  Tony Leahy

  Tony has been a Foundation Director of ASCAT since 2012 and Chair of the Trust Board since 2014. He has also been a Foundation Governor/Chair of Governors of St Joan of Arc Catholic School since 2007, before standing down from that role in 2021 to focus on Trust activities.

  His career background is in Financial Services, and he is currently the Human Resources Director with Cynergy Bank Limited. Tony lives in Rickmansworth, is married to Louise and has one son, Conor. The entire family are also loyal Watford FC season ticket holders.

• Chris Gomes
  Director
  Chris Gomes

  Chris has been a Director of ASCAT since 2019 and Chair of Audit and Risk since 2022. He also sits on the finance and resources committee. Prior to this he was a foundation Governor at St Johns school in Rickmansworth. He is also an ex-pupil of St Joan of Arc school in Rickmansworth.

  Chris’ 20-year career background is predominantly in IT and is currently a director at a large global software company. He is passionate about the positive role IT can play in the education of children.

  Chris is married with 2 daughters and is a keen sport fan. He likes to keep fit with outdoor running.

• Laura Sharp
  Director
  Laura Sharp

  Laura joined ASCAT in 2019 in the first stage of the Trusts growth and currently chairs ASCATs Quality of Education committee. She was Formerly Chair of Governors at St Johns School, Rickmansworth.

  Lauras career is focused on leading resource and capability management teams. She is a passionate diversity and inclusion advocate. Laura lives with her husband, Steve and daughter, Kirsty. Outside of work she enjoys reading, yoga, dog walking and spending time with family.

• Tony Hickin
  Director
  Tony Hickin

  Tony joined ASCAT as a Foundation Director in 2022. He sits on the Leadership and Governance Committee, along with Audit and Risk.

  Tony has recently retired from full time employment, having spent a career specialising in project and programme management. He worked for Santander, BACS Payment Schemes, as well as undertaking roles in the public sector. He is currently a Lay Member of the Royal College of Physicians and a Director at the Canons Academy Trust in Harrow. Tony is married to Sue and has three daughters and two granddaughters.

• Mrs Veronica Lopez-Smith, Peter Taylor
  Director, Director
  Mrs Veronica Lopez-Smith, Peter Taylor

  Veronica joined ASCAT as a Foundation Director in March 2023 and sits in the Audit and Risk Committee and the Education and Behaviour Committee. Previously, she was Treasurer for the PTA of a Primary School in Hillingdon for many years.

  Veronica has an over 20-year career in Audit, predominantly in Internal Audit in sectors varying from supply chain, retail, aviation and charity. Veronica joined with the aim to share her knowledge and experience for the benefit of trust and the schools in it.

  Veronica has been living in the UK for almost 20 years with her husband, has two children in Secondary School and is an avid reader and collector of books related to history and travels.

• Mr Leigh O'Connor
  Director
  Mr Leigh O'Connor

  Leigh joined ASCAT in March 2023 and sits on the Audit & Risk and Education & Behaviour Committees. Leigh has worked in Football for over 20 years and is currently a Regional Manager for The Football Association. Leigh has also been a Club Secretary of a Football Club in Harrow for over 20 years.

  Having grown up in Harrow he now lives in Abbots Langley with his wife and two children. Outside of work he loves watching Sport and spending time with his family.

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• Mr Peter Taylor
  Director
  Mr Peter Taylor

  Peter Taylor is current Elected Mayor of Watford. He was first elected on 4th May 2018 and re-elected in 2022 to serve for another 4 years.

  As the leader of Watford Council he has made improving the town’s transport infrastructure and increasing support for local rough sleepers some of his key priorities. In particular, he has introduced a new cycle hire scheme to Watford and worked closely with local homelessness charities to increase the amount of outreach and support for people experiencing homelessness.

  Peter was raised in Sheffield and attended Notre Dame High School. He then attended the University of Edinburgh before moving to Watford to work as a teacher at St Dominic’s Sixth Form in Harrow. He continued to work in the education sector as Assistant Director for Education at the Catholic Education Service (CES). At the CES he worked with diocesan education services, Catholic universities and Teaching Schools to develop the support offered to school leaders and governors.

  Peter lives in Oxhey with his wife and three children.

• Mrs Jo Cosgrove
  Director
  Mrs Jo Cosgrove