Katy has over twenty years’ experience as a senior leader in three Catholic Dioceses: Salford, Leeds and Plymouth, as Chief Performance Officer, Education Director, Headteacher and Executive headteacher.
She was instrumental in the development of the Catholic Schools Partnership Teaching School Alliance in Bradford and was seconded to be the Director of the Teaching School on a part-time basis in the first two years of its existence leading the executive team, managing financial modelling and funding streams and delivering professional development at all levels to promote succession planning.
Katy brings a wealth of experience to Romero CAT, which she joined in September 2024 and is delighted to be working with colleagues from across the footprint and the Diocese to fulfil Bishop John’s vision.
BUSINESS AND COMMUNICATIONS
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Emily joined the Trust in May 2025, bringing with her over a decade of experience in administration and project management across the private sector, higher education and Local Authority organisations. She has a keen eye for detail and a deep-rooted passion for planning and systematisation.
Outside of work, Emily enjoys spending time with her dog and exploring new destinations. She has a particular love for travel experiences that offer opportunities to observe wildlife in their natural habitats.
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Her role is wide-ranging, and she is the editor and coordinator of the Trust’s bi-weekly newsletter, ensuring timely, clear communication across all academies and teams.
Outside of work, Caitlyn enjoys going on holiday and making the most of her free time with her friends.
EDUCATION
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Dr Patrick Caldwell is an experienced headteacher who has worked in a number of settings and has successfully implemented sustainable change. As a CSI inspector he is well placed to support Catholic life and Catholic life and mission in our trust, helping leaders to develop our schools with integrity and in a way that serves the needs of the pupils and the community.
Having experienced of a range of settings and diocese, Patrick brings a wealth of experience in leading developmental change – while the majority of his experience comes from secondary leadership, he believes that effective collaboration between primary and secondary phases are instrumental in preparing our pupils to be successful learners. Having worked in a successful Catholic MAT previously and overseen rapid school improvement, Patrick joined the team in April 2026 and together with Katy and the Executive Team is excited about the growth and development of Romero Catholic Academy Trust.
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Outside of work, Catherine enjoys spending time at her home in France, running and walking in the Yorkshire Dales where she lives with her family.
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Holding a degree in Psychology and Counselling Studies as well as a Postgraduate Diploma in Social Work, Rebecca is passionate about creating safe, supportive environments where children and young people can thrive and where staff feel supported in their safeguarding decision making.
Outside of work, Rebecca enjoys music and travel, and is always up for discovering new artists, sounds and destinations around the world.
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Outside of work, John enjoys running, walking and spending time with his family. He loves to read and enjoys watching sport and coaching young athletes.
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Alongside her Headship Claire has pioneered innovative approaches on SEND and inclusion such as “The Nurture Nest”. This initiative became a model of excellence in SEND provision that has been replicated in schools across the Diocese of Shrewsbury the Diocese and Salford. Her commitment to serving the most vulnerable learners has secured substantial funding and influenced practice across the wider education community.
Outside of work, Claire enjoys spending time with her family and lively cockapoo Paddy. She loves live music and adventures in the family campervan exploring the outdoors.
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With over a decade of experience in primary education across West Yorkshire and a strong background in educational research, Sophie serves as an Evidence Lead Educator (ELE) for the Research Schools Network and has supported the delivery of NPQs. She is also a Fellow of the Chartered College of Teaching.
Outside of work, Sophie enjoys travelling, reading and spending quality time with her family. Coming from a very sporty household, she can often be found watching a football match at the weekend. Sophie also enjoys running and regularly listens to podcasts to stay up to date with the latest research and evidence.
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Kane holds a Masters in Educational Leadership and has a strong track record of supporting schools to strengthen leadership capacity and drive sustainable improvement. He has also fulfilled wider roles in education through mentoring leaders and providing strategic guidance to schools.
Outside of work, Kane enjoys spending time with his family, walking and coding.
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Outside of work, Helen enjoys spending time with her family and walking her dog. She is an avid reader and enjoys keeping up to date with relevant educational research.
GOVERNANCE
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Her warm, approachable nature and professional integrity make her a valued colleague and a trusted voice in the governance community.
Outside of work, Lauren embraces family life and enjoys spending quality time with her husband, children and their dog Pixie. Lauren also enjoys socialising with friends, valuing good conversation and laughter as key ingredients for a balanced life.
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Prior to joining the Trust, Vicky accumulated over 13 years of administrative experience, including roles within the Courts Service and as a Company Secretary for an engineering firm.
Outside of work, Vicky is a dedicated mother of three who enjoys spending time with family and friends, travelling, and maintaining an active lifestyle through yoga and regular gym sessions.
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With 20 years of administration experience, she brings a wealth of organisational skills, attention to detail and reliability to the team.
Outside of work Victoria enjoys walking her dog, shopping with her daughter and spending time with family and friends, always keen to make the most of the outdoors and good company.
FINANCE
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Since moving into the education sector in 2018, Liz has played a pivotal role in strengthening financial governance and supporting strategic decision-making across the Trust. Her earlier roles in both public and private sectors have provided her with a strong foundation in financial management, compliance, and organisational leadership.
Beyond her professional commitments, Liz is a dedicated CrossFit enthusiast and enjoys spending quality time with her young family. She is also proud to have completed the Everest Base Camp challenge—an achievement that reflects her resilience, focus, and drive both in and outside the workplace.
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A qualified CIMA accountant, Claire balances structure, organisation and an eye for detail with a passion for seeking value for money, achieving the best possible outcomes for pupils, and building relationships with colleagues.
Outside of work Claire enjoys music and can often be found on a Friday evening enjoying a ‘kitchen disco’ with her husband and two children.
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She has had a 35-year career in finance and has worked in the education sector since 2017. She joined Romero in April 2024 bringing her knowledge of academy trusts, which has strengthened the finance team and the support we give to schools.
Outside of work, Christine spends all of her free time working on the family farm, looking after 180 cows and 15 sheep. She also enjoys showing the cattle at agricultural shows.
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Outside of work, Lisa enjoys spending time outdoors and travelling abroad whether it be at the top of a mountain skiing or relaxing on a beach.
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Mandy brings over 21 years of experience in education finance, including 18 years dedicated to further and higher education. Her extensive background has given her a strong grasp of the sector’s unique challenges and complexities. Since joining the Romero finance team in 2022, she has broadened her expertise to include finance within primary and secondary education.
Outside of work, Mandy enjoys renovating her home and travelling, particularly to sunny destinations where she can relax and recharge.
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She works closely with School Business Managers and the leadership team to set long-term financial goals and develop strategies that ensure the financial sustainability of the Trust’s schools. Her strong understanding of educational environments enables her to align financial planning with school improvement priorities, supporting positive outcomes for all pupils across the Romero CAT schools.
Outside of work, Sarah is a proud mother of two children—a gymnastics-loving, shopaholic daughter and a football-obsessed, cricket-playing son. She enjoys travelling with her family and loves escaping to her “happy place” on a sunny beach whenever she can.
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Outside of work, Janette loves spending time with her kickboxing-mad daughter, her husband, and their energetic border collie. She’s also a massive Take That fan and enjoys travelling whenever she can, with Greece firmly at the top of her list of favourite places to visit.
OPERATIONS AND ESTATES
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James has wide ranging experience in estates management, compliance, operational delivery and project management.
His team ensures that every school provides a safe, functional, and inspiring setting for pupils and staff. Additionally, they oversee capital projects, sustainability and health and safety.
Outside work, James loves to travel and is an avid (but pretty bad) golfer.
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A Chartered Member of IOSH (CMIOSH), Heather began her career with Bolton Council, working across nurseries, primary and secondary schools, colleges and special education providers.
Since joining Romero in November 2024, Heather has implemented her wealth of expertise; taking a hands-on, practical approach to health and safety, collaborating closely with Trust schools to enhance their policies and procedures. Heather particularly enjoys visiting the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) as they are vibrant, busy spaces for young learners.
Outside of work, Heather has 3 children, one of whom has a great love of horses, this means she spends much of her free time outdoors—rain or shine—supporting their equestrian pursuits, whether at the stables, on the sidelines of competitions or simply enjoying the fresh air.
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Rob Pilkington is the Head of IT at Romero, where he provides strategic leadership for all aspects of the Trust’s technology. He oversees the design, security, and ongoing reliability of IT systems, ensuring they support the Trust’s strategic and operational needs meet all compliance requirements. His role includes setting long‑term direction for infrastructure, guiding policy development, and making sure schools across the Trust have the tools and support they need to work effectively.
Rob has worked in education IT for more than 20 years, gaining experience across a range of institutions and technical environments. Throughout his career, he has led major infrastructure upgrades, managed complex change programmes, and helped organisations modernise their digital capabilities. He is known for taking a practical, people‑focused approach, balancing strategic priorities with the day‑to‑day realities of school life.
Outside of work, Rob enjoys spending time with his family, where they like to explore different places both home and abroad.
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Outside of work, Rick enjoys playing golf, despite not being the most competitive! A regular Park Runner on a Saturday morning and a keen supporter of Liverpool FC. Rick also loves to travel whenever he gets the opportunity and is always looking for his next trip or holiday.
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Steve brings a career of over 30 years expertise in operational leadership, property maintenance and facilities management. His strong background is a real asset for Romero and ensures efficient and effective support across our schools.
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Lee brings a wealth of experience to his role, from his time serving in the Royal Navy and his previous role at Openreach. Known for his strong work ethic, attention to detail and problem-solving skills, Lee thrives in dynamic environments.
Outside of work, Lee is an adventurous spirit – whether he’s tearing through trails as an avid mountain biker or meticulously crafting stunning underwater landscapes through his passion for aqua scaping; Lee’s blend of discipline, technical expertise and creative flair makes him a valued colleague at Romero.
HUMAN RESOURCES
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In her earlier career Helen has been a teacher, leader and Headteacher for over 20 years, and then the Head of the KYRA Teaching School Alliance and School Improvement in Lincolnshire. Before joining Romero, Helen was Director of People for Anthem Schools Trust. She is a Chartered member of CIPD.
Outside of work Helen enjoys being with her family and her Irish Terrier, Mabel, and spending time in the garden.
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Kelly is a Chartered Fellow member of CIPD and has worked in a variety of Human Resources roles for over 25 years, including 20 years working within the Education sector.
Outside of work, Kelly enjoys playing netball and is a keen follower of Burnley Football Club.
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Holding a CIPD Level 5 Associate Diploma in People Management, Zoe is an Associate member of CIPD with over seven years’ experience in both public and private sector, specifically in retail and education. She provides advice and guidance in relation to casework and contributes specialist knowledge in areas such as people management and recruitment to the team.
Outside of work, Zoe enjoys spending quality time with her husband, son, daughter and dog. She is a passionate music enthusiast; her favourite bands are Courteeners and Blossoms. While she has a love for cooking and singing, she cheerfully admits that these are best left to her husband.
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Outside of work, Helen enjoys time with her family and friends and opportunities to be outdoors – walking the dog, jogging and we love barbeques, whatever the weather.
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Kathy has experience across the full employee lifecycle, including recruitment, induction, employee relations, performance management and off boarding. She is particularly interested in developing positive workplace cultures where people feel supported and valued.
Outside of work, Kathy enjoys spending time with her family and has two young daughters who keep her on her toes. She enjoys sunny holidays and spending time with friends.
