Our Team

Paula has over 21 years’ experience as a Headteacher in schools across inner and outer London.  Her roles as a National Leader of Education and an Ofsted Inspector have led to improving standards in schools across the country.  Paula was recently awarded an OBE for her Services to Education and was a member of the Regional Schools Commissioners London & South Advisory Board.

Haley is the Assistant Director of Academies at Nexus Education Schools Trust (NEST), a Multi-Academy Trust comprising 20 schools. Guided by her deep commitment to educational excellence, she leads the NEST Quality Assurance and School Improvement Programme, supporting leadership development and training across the Hub. Her work focusses on key areas including educational standards, governance, and safeguarding, ensuring that NEST schools consistently uphold the highest standards of care, compliance, and strategic leadership.

Haley brings extensive experience in school leadership, having previously served as a Headteacher and Executive Headteacher, overseeing a federation of six schools in London. During her tenure, she led significant school improvement initiatives, embedding a culture of excellence and innovation.

In addition to her leadership roles, Haley is also a trained Ofsted Inspector, further strengthening her expertise in evaluating and enhancing school performance. Her deep understanding of governance, strategic oversight, and school safety is central to NEST’s mission, making her a vital leader in shaping best practice and driving continuous improvement across the Trust.

Liz is the Assistant Director of Academies at Nexus Education Schools Trust (NEST), a Multi-Academy Trust comprising 20 schools. With a proven track record in senior educational leadership, Liz brings extensive experience in raising attainment at both school and local authority level.

She leads the NEST Quality Assurance and School Improvement Programme and is responsible for leadership development and training across a Hub group of schools. Liz also holds special responsibility for Early Years and the strategic development of Nursery Education across the Trust.

Her previous roles include Headteacher of Pickhurst Infant Academy, Early Years Education and Moderation Lead for Bromley Local Authority, Early Years Moderator for the Standards and Teaching Agency, Director of EYELA Teaching School and Quality Assurance Reviewer for Challenge Partners. She has also served as a Local Authority Advisor and Chair of the SEND Collaborative Forum, further strengthening her expertise in inclusive education and strategic oversight.

Her experience as a Headteacher, Senior Leader, and EYFS Moderation Lead has given her detailed expertise in assessment and data analysis. She is highly skilled in forensically analysing and interpreting data to raise standards and improve outcomes across the primary phase.

Liz’s strategic insight, inclusive approach, and hands-on experience make her a key contributor to NEST’s mission of delivering high-quality education and continuous school improvement.

Lorraine Richards is an experienced education leader with over 20 years of senior leadership across a wide range of school settings. Currently serving as Executive Headteacher at Perry Hall Primary School and Regional Education Director for Nexus Education Schools Trust, Lorraine provides strategic vision and leadership that ensures consistently high standards of teaching and learning. Under her stewardship, Perry Hall has been recognised as an Ofsted Outstanding school, with pupil outcomes consistently ranking in the top 10% nationally.

Passionate about education as a vehicle for social change, Lorraine believes deeply in enabling all children to thrive—academically, socially, and creatively. She has championed the development of a broad, research-informed curriculum that enriches pupils’ cultural capital through the arts, sport, and STEM. Her work extends beyond individual schools, as she supports improvement across a trust of 20 schools and contributes to borough-wide educational strategy and safeguarding.

Lorraine is also committed to public service through a number of voluntary leadership roles. She serves as Co-Chair of Bromley Youth Music Trust, Director of the South East London Music Education Hub, Co-Chair of the Bromley Primary and Special School Head Teacher’s Forum, and sits on Bromley’s Education Safeguarding Advisory Committee. Across these roles, she provides governance, strategic oversight, and advocacy to ensure young people have access to high-quality opportunities both inside and outside the classroom.

Driven by integrity, collaboration, and a strong belief in the power of education, Lorraine continues to shape schools and communities where children can succeed and flourish.

Samantha is the Chief Financial Officer (CFO) for NEST, where she leads the organisation's financial strategy with expertise and precision. Her role encompasses strategic planning, in-depth analysis of strengths and opportunities, and ensuring robust reporting and compliance to support the Trust's long-term success.

Before stepping into the CFO role, Samantha served as Trust Accountant and Head of Hub Finance for NEST’s South London schools, making her a key member of the NEST Finance Leadership Team.

Since joining NEST in 2019, Samantha has brought over 12 years of experience in education finance to the Trust.  Her background also includes working as a management accountant in the private sector, equipping her with a unique blend of skills that drive financial excellence and innovation at NEST.  Samantha is an active member of the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA), demonstrating her commitment to professional excellence and staying at the forefront of financial management and strategy.

Reshma is Head of Hub Finance for the NEST Bromley/Kent Schools Hub.  She has extensive finance experience having been CFO of a Single Academy Trust and a Multi-Academy Trust.  She oversees the Finance Team for the Hub group of schools and is a member of the NEST Finance Leadership Team.

Annick serves as the Chief Operating Officer (COO) for NEST, bringing dynamic leadership and strategic oversight to ensure the seamless day-to-day operations of the organisation. Her role encompasses driving sustainability, managing efficient and cost-effective projects, advancing technology capabilities, and overseeing delivery and payroll functions—all while fostering excellence across the board.

Before stepping into her current role, Annick was NEST’s Chief Financial Officer (CFO), where she gained extensive experience working across various financial roles within NEST schools over a decade.

Annick’s career journey began in the corporate world, where she honed her expertise in a corporate treasury role in the City of London and at a leading international energy corporation. Her diverse experience and commitment to innovation make her a vital part of NEST’s leadership team.

Samantha is the Company Secretary and leads the Clerking team across the Trust, supporting the training and induction of Local Committee Members and advising the NEST Team and Board on Governance.  She worked with schools within the Tri boroughs of Westminster, Hammersmith and Fulham, Kensington and Chelsea advising on Governance, continuing under the bi borough agreement. She is a member of the Governing Body for a secondary school in Bromley.

Nick is a qualified Surveyor, with commercial development, procurement and maintenance experience.  He has project managed large commercial developments, programmed maintenance and procurement contracts for multi-nationals such as BASS taverns, Grand Metropolitan, London Underground and Southwark Council.  He oversees the management and upkeep of building stock, health & safety and compliance across the Trust.

Tracey is the Head of People at NEST.  She leads the HR team in managing all aspects of employee relations, recruitment, onboarding, payroll, data and reporting. Her role encompasses legal compliance, employment law, employee relations, and talent management, ensuring the Trust remains an employer of choice and an outstanding place to work and develop.

Tracey has over 30 years’ experience as an HR professional.  Before joining NEST, Tracey was the Head of HR Services for another multi-academy trust, bringing a wealth of expertise to her role. Tracey has also worked in both central and local government providing HR advice and support to school leaders.  For 10 years she worked as an HR Consultant on the Schools Team at the London Borough of Bromley.

Tracey is a collaborative leader who is experienced in working with HR professionals to share ideas and best practices, driving innovation and excellence in people management. Her dedication to creating supportive, compliant, and forward-thinking HR strategies makes her an integral part of the NEST leadership team.

Nick is the Director of Thames South Teaching School Hub, leading the strategic development and direction of all aspects of the Hub. Working closely with Nexus Education Schools Trust and key strategic partners, Nick is committed to delivering exceptional training and professional development opportunities to teachers across Bromley, Bexley, and Greenwich, empowering educators and driving educational excellence.

With a wealth of experience, Nick previously served as CEO of Communitas Education Schools Trust and was a key member of Southwark’s Education Leadership Team. As a seasoned Headteacher and National Leader of Education, he has played a pivotal role in transforming education by supporting leadership development and partnering with local schools in Southwark to improve outcomes.

Nick’s passion for education and dedication to nurturing leadership make him a driving force behind the success of Thames South Teaching School Hub.