Academy Trustees (ID 1037)

• Linda Rodham
  Co-opted Trustee and the Trust's Chief Executive Officer
  Linda Rodham

  Linda Rodham is the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of New College Durham Academies Trust and Co-opted Trustee. As CEO, she has the key strategic role in the leadership of the Trust and provides strategic direction for the Corporate Team as well as monitors the effectiveness of the leadership teams of individual academies.

  Linda has been a senior leader for 21 years and a Headteacher for over 10 years with substantial experience of school improvement. Linda has been in her current role since September 2021.

• Jude Robinson
  Chair
  Jude Robinson

  Jude Robinson joined Connect as a Trustee in October 2025 joining the Audit & Risk and Remuneration Committees the same year. In April 2026, Jude became Chair of the Trust. With 35 years' experience in strategic leadership across public and private sectors—including energy, mobile, and accounting software—Jude most recently led future service strategy for a major government department. Her expertise includes strategy, governance, planning, project delivery, stakeholder engagement, and communication. Jude continues to put her skills to use as a Board facilitator for a UK tech consultancy firm, whilst serving as a community police volunteer, and enjoying semi-retirement in Durham.

• Lisa Wilkinson
  Vice-Chair
  Lisa Wilkinson

  With more than 20 years at Beamish, The Living Museum of the North, I lead the
  museum's sustainability agenda at a strategic level, embedding environmental
  responsibility across operations, driving progress towards net zero targets, and
  strengthening the organisation's position as a sector leader in sustainability. My
  role includes oversight of compliance, legislative requirements, and mandatory
  reporting, while identifying opportunities to enhance resilience, reduce costs, and
  build organisational reputation through strong environmental performance.
  Alongside this, I provide high-level, forward-thinking support to the CEO that
  extends well beyond traditional executive support, creating a centre of excellence
  for executive coordination, strategic planning, and organisational connectivity. This
  includes corporate governance and oversight and administration of the Board of
  Trustees for the Charity and trading arm of the museum. My strengths in project,
  administration, and financial management underpin strong organisational,
  research, and communication skills, enabling me to contribute meaningfully to the
  development and delivery of the museum's long-term strategy.
  These qualities are also central to my role as an ambassador for the museum, as
  well as Fellow and Board Secretary of the Association of European Open Air
  Museums. In parallel, I serve as Vice Chair and Trustee on the Advisory Board of
  ConNEct Multi-Academy Trust, supporting strong governance and educational
  excellence across multiple schools. My experience in governance and trusteeship
  reflects a wider commitment to delivering impactful, sustainable outcomes across
  both the cultural and education sectors.

• Jill Bowe
  Jill Bowe

  Jill Bowe has served as Trust Board Member of New College Durham Academies Trust since 2023 and has served as staff governor whilst working in Gateshead local authority in the 1990s. Jill is a Headteacher of a Special School and is an OFSTED Inspector of over 10 years for Primary, Secondary, SEND, Alternative provision and SEND Area. Jill's professional background is within schools and colleges catering for pupils and adults age 0-83. She is an experienced Senior Manager with over 25 years' experience in a variety of school provisions. She has a proven track record of leading and developing individuals, providing leadership and vision to enable delivery of organisation's strategic plan. Jill has experience as a SEND advisor in a range of settings in the Northern region and humanities in Gateshead Local Authority. Jill has a Masters Degree in SEND and is a Specialist teacher for Dyslexia.

• Clarra McMahon-Cossey
  Clarra McMahon-Cossey

  Clarra McMahon-Cossey has served as Trust Board Member/Non-Executive Director of New College Durham Academies Trust since 2025 and is also a member of the Trust's Risk and Audit Committee. Clarra studied at New College Durham before going onto Northumbria University, where she graduated with First Class Honours in Quantity Surveying in 2021. Clarra is also a proud member of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS), upholding the highest professional standards in the industry.

  Clarra's professional background has been with Durham County Council for the past 9 years, where she works as a Chartered Quantity Surveyor in their Construction Consultancy Service team. In this role, she plays a key part in delivering construction projects, ensuring effective financial management, procurement, and compliance with contract specifications. Passionate about the next generation of professionals and managers, Clarra is dedicated to supporting the development of talent and encouraging growth within the community. She actively promotes mentorship and professional development through DCC and various networking groups and initiatives aimed at enhancing career prospects for aspiring individuals. With a proven ability to lead and collaborate, Clarra is committed to delivering positive change within education and the broader professional landscape.

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• Jennifer Watt
  Jennifer Watt

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• Mark Nicholson
  Mark Nicholson

  Mark Nicholson has served as Trust Board Member since 2025 and is chair of the Resources Committee. Mark is a qualified accountant and is currently Chief Finance Officer at Newcastle City Council, where he has worked for over 20 years. Prior to this he has worked at PricewaterhouseCoopers and the National Audit Office. As Chief Finance Officer, Mark leads a team of over 300 finance, procurement and property professionals who are responsible for managing the council's revenue and capital budgets, collecting business rates and council tax, administering crisis support and housing benefits, managing the council's property assets, delivering the council's procurement strategy, and providing audit and risk advice and support. Mark works closely with the council's Cabinet, and provide strategic financial advice to elected members and, as the council's statutory section 151 officer, he is responsible for ensuring the council's ongoing financial stability and resilience.

• Keith Morgan
  Keith Morgan

• Sarah Armstrong
  Sarah Armstrong

• Dave Thornton
  Dave Thornton