Governance

Philip Bamford

Start: 19-January-2024

Philip Bamford is currently the General Manager in charge of projects at Muntons plc, Stowmarket. Previously, he concluded a commendable seven-year tenure as the Executive Vice President in North America at Muntons Malted Ingredients in Chicago, where he showcased a commitment to operational excellence, fostering substantial growth in U.S.-U.K. business relations.

Philip’s career is distinguished by his focus on leading high-performing teams within complex, customer-centric environments. Recognised for his open communication, adaptability, and adept problem-solving skills, Philip has spearheaded significant ICT upgrades at Muntons PLC. His leadership experience extends to roles at Envero Ltd, Paradigm Ltd, Global Venture Services Ltd, and Albion Contracts.  

Beyond his professional commitments, Philip is a family man deeply rooted in the Suffolk community for over 35 years. 

Alan Ridealgh

Start: 14-November-2018

Originally qualifying and working as a biologist, Alan joined Muntons in 1980 as a grain buyer and held various roles including heading up the farming, agricultural merchanting, pet food, haulage and seed subsidiaries. Became Group Managing Director in 2007 and led an expansion around the world with turnover almost doubling to £100M with over 330 employees.

Alan stood down as MD in early 2017 to assume a new part-time largely ambassadorial role as Vice President External Affairs. He has become involved with the Museum of East Anglian Life through its Development Board, the Stowupland based John Milton Academy Trust as a Trustee and the Institute of Sustainability at the University of Suffolk as a board member as well as an Honorary Fellow in Sustainability and Manufacturing. Additionally, he is a non-executive director of a Norfolk based grain trading company. Together with son, John, has recently formed a start-up craft brewing company located in deepest Suffolk called Humber Doucy Brewing Company.

Alan is also a Trustee and Chair of the Trust Board.

Tim Passmore

Start: 19-January-2024

Tim is currently the Police and Crime Commissioner for Suffolk.

Tim lives with his family in north Suffolk. He was born in Felixstowe and was educated at Ipswich School before taking a degree in Agriculture at Wye College, University of London, majoring in management, marketing and economics and more recently he graduated from the Open University with an MBA.

Until he was elected as PCC in 2012, he was an intensive livestock producer and advised on pig production and genetic breeding programmes. As a self – employed agricultural and rural business consultant he delivered seminars and lecture tours to a wide variety of farming and agribusiness organisations.

Tim was formerly an elected member of Mid Suffolk District Council and prior to taking on the role of the PCC, he was Leader of Mid Suffolk District Council.

Tim is a Rugby Union referee at both adult and junior levels.

Tim was also a Trustee for the Trust from May 2020 until becoming a Member.

Mohammed
Abdel-Maguid

Mohamed is a professional engineer, entrepreneur and a research and enterprise focused Academic, with 25 years of experience in both business and academia. He has held a number of senior positions, both in the UK and internationally and served as an advisor for a number of companies and government organisations. These included, the Ministry of Health in Egypt, where he advised on the development of telemedicine initiatives, the Ministry of Transport in Egypt advising on the use of Smart Technologies to improve road safety and, during his term at CIISS, advised the Tanzania Revenue Authority on tax fraud detection using intelligent data analysis techniques.

Currently, a Professor of Smart Systems Pro Vice-Chancellor (STEM) and Dean of the Faculty of Science, Engineering, and Social Sciences at Canterbury Christ Church University. Mohamed's previous role was at the University of Suffolk in 2012 as the Founding Professor of the School of Science, Technology and Engineering and Professor of Smart Systems and went on to be Dean of Engineering, Arts and Science.

Mohamed holds a B.Eng. in Electronics and Telecommunications (Distinction), MSc. in Telecommunications Engineering (Distinction) and a PhD in Electronic Engineering (Image and Video Processing).

Shaun Common - Interim CEO

Shaun is the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Gippeswyk Community Educational Trust.

He has been a senior leader in 3 large secondary schools. He was the Principal at Copleston High School for 10 years, having previously been the Headteacher of another Suffolk High School.

Shaun has been appointed by the Trust as Interim CEO.

Alex Hauwert

Alex is a Parent Trustee and has experience in banking and accountancy.  Alex has gained his AAT and ACCA qualifications and works for a specialist financial services company.

Alex also gets involved in the local community and often helps out with the village events.

Susan Hayter

Susan has had an accomplished career with the NHS including at Senior Manager level with a diverse range of knowledge, skills and experience gained in a wide range of clinical and managerial positions.  Sue has a proven track record of achievement at senior management and Board level, and is firmly committed to the NHS and to the promotion of high quality, clinical safety and person centered multidisciplinary/ agency working.

Since retirement from full time employment with the NHS, Sue has worked as a Professional Adviser for Primary Care Trusts, Acute Hospitals and Mental Health NHS organisations in Suffolk and Norfolk. Sue has also been commissioned by Ipswich and East Suffolk CCG, West Suffolk CCG and West Norfolk CCG as part of their respective quality assurance programmes.

With a background in nursing, I retired from full time work as the Chief Nurse in Suffolk in 2010, since then I have been on NHS Boards as a Non-Executive Director. 

Sue has lived in the village for over 40 years, with both her children and grandchildren attending Freeman CPS and Stowupland HS.  Sue is a Church Warden for Stowupland Holy Trinity, and welcomes the school’s links with Holy Trinity Church.  Sue is also a Local Governor at Freeman CPS, part of Children’s Endeavour Trust.

Neil Jolly

Neil is a Parent Trustee who was born and brought up in Ipswich, Suffolk. His career has been within IT with a European energy provider and Central Government, before moving into the telecommunications sector working for a major network provider, currently employed by BT Group as a Senior Network Engineer & Test Professional working on installations around the world.

Neil lives in the market town of Stowmarket with his wife and daughter, his daughter is of primary school age and is currently a pupil at Cedars Park Primary School.

Also acting as a treasurer for his daughter’s local football team.

Allen Mayhew

Allen has 30 years of experience of working in Human Resources across the private and public sectors, and has worked in Life Sciences, NHS and Local Government.

Darryl Newport

Chair of Sustainability Committee

Darryl is Director of the Suffolk Sustainability Institute at the University of Suffolk.  He is adjunct Professor of Sustainable Materials Engineering at the University of East London. After finishing his degree, Darryl moved directly into research and became passionate about the environment and developed a keen interest into materials science. Over the years he has developed a wider research interest, working in a range of interdisciplinary areas including those relating to Infrastructure, resources management and the Built Environment with a focus on renewables and low carbon energy solutions and product. The overarching aim of his research is to develop practical decarbonised solutions which can be delivered rapidly to enable effective mitigation of climate change.

David Nunn

Vice Chair of the Trust Board

Chair of Audit and Risk Committee

David has been farming in Mid Suffolk for over 50 years and, while he no longer runs the farm, David is still heavily involved day to day.

As a director of the Suffolk Agricultural Association, David has had his turn at running the Suffolk Show and he assists with some of the educational events and activities the Association puts on throughout the year.

David was also a governor at Easton and Otley College for a number of years.

Alan Ridealgh - Chair

Chair of the Trust Board

Chair of Remuneration Committee

Originally qualifying and working as a biologist, Alan joined Muntons in 1980 as a grain buyer and held various roles including heading up the farming, agricultural merchanting, pet food, haulage and seed subsidiaries. Became Group Managing Director in 2007 and led an expansion around the world with turnover almost doubling to £100M with over 330 employees.

Alan stood down as MD in early 2017 to assume a new part-time largely ambassadorial role as Vice President External Affairs. He has become involved with the Museum of East Anglian Life through its Development Board, the Stowupland based John Milton Academy Trust as a Trustee and the Institute of Sustainability at the University of Suffolk as a board member as well as an Honorary Fellow in Sustainability and Manufacturing. Additionally, he is a non-executive director of a Norfolk based grain trading company. Together with son, John, has recently formed a start-up craft brewing company located in deepest Suffolk called Humber Doucy Brewing Company.

Phil Thirkettle

Chair of Learning and Performance Committee

Phil was brought up on the family farm in Suffolk and has lived all his life in East Anglia.  Phil’s career has been within the Further Education sector as a Vice Principal.

Martin Williams

Chair of Finance and Business Committee

Martin is a seasoned Banker having left school to start as an office junior at Barclays Bank in 1985. Having studied for appropriate professional qualifications, he has developed his career to Director level with a focus on hard work, personal development and coaching of others to achieve their goals. 

Father of 4 boys, he served 8 years as a governor for Gusford Junior School, Ipswich and comes from a family with strong ties to the education system. He is also a member of New Anglia LEP’s Investment Appraisal Committee, often making grant and loan decisions for institutions looking for support to improve skills and/or job potential for young adults. 

His strong financial acumen and determination to ensure funds are maximised for the benefit of the students makes him an ideal chair of the Finance and Business committee.

Mrs Anne Gardner

Mr Adam Hubbard

Mrs Sharon Jones

Mrs Sarah King

Mrs Gillian Orves 

Mrs Tessa Sait

Mr Andrew Stringer

Mr David Brewster

Mr Andrew Fell