Meet the Directors

Ben Cranham

Director

I joined Stanford Primary, a PACE Academy School, as a governor in 2019. I served as Chair from 2021 until 2024 and joined the PACE Trust board in 2023.

I have worked with voluntary organisation in youth services and rehabilitation services over the last fifteen years. I come from a family of educators and am dedicated to supporting improvements in school provision in my local area of south London.

I have had a thirty year career in digital technology and lead operations for Pulsant, a UK digital infrastructure provider.

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Clare Wingrave

Director

I joined PACE as a Director two years ago and I am currently the Designated Safeguarding Director for PACE.

My background is firmly rooted in primary education and a belief that children should be at the centre of everything that we do in order that they can develop into independent, confident and enthusiastic individuals.

Before I retired I was Principal of an outstanding primary school and children’s centre in Croydon and Executive Principal at a school in Gillingham. I am currently a Governor at another local school and for many years I have served on the School Standards Board as member with responsibility for Safeguarding.

I have three adult children one of whom is teaching at a PACE school.

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Dapo Obatusin

Director

I am currently a Civil Servant and have been in the public sector for over 10 years. Prior to joining the public sector, I worked in the private sector in infrastructure delivery firms, and in commercial roles for an American advertising media firm. In my first few years in the public sector, I worked closely with Academy Trusts across the country to deliver the government's £2bn Academy building programmes during the early years of the Academy roll-out period. I believe in the transformative power of strong education delivery by professionals as well as the immeasurable benefits of curiosity and continuous learning.

I am a Chartered Civil Engineer and a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators. I also gained an Masters in Business Administration degree from Henley Business School.

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Dipa Patel

Director

I was born in India and came to the UK on my first birthday in the 70s. I grew up and went to school in the Crystal Palace area and moved to Coulsdon in 2012.

I’m a Civil Engineer by profession and work for an international professional services firm who provide technical, professional and construction services.

My husband and I have two young daughters at a trust school and I have a passion for education hence have been a governor (parent governor, vice-chair and now chair) for some time now.

In my spare time I love to play netball, I play for a local team in a local league.

Additional roles: Joint Chair at Keston Primary School.

Business/Profession: Civil Engineer and Operational & Business Management.

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Jennifer Fielder

Director

As an HR leader, coach, and mentor, I have worked in adult social care since 2015. I hold CIPD Level 7 qualifications and am a Fellow member, with expertise in HR Management, Organisational Development, and Leadership Coaching. I am passionate about empowering people to succeed and creating enjoyable, inclusive workplaces. As HR and Organisational Development Manager, I collaborate with colleagues, vulnerable people, and communities to drive meaningful change.

As a PACE Director, I aim to share my expertise to positively impact pupils' lives, believing in high-quality education that nurtures curiosity. Personally, I have two young children, one of whom attends a PACE Academy Trust school.

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Micon Metcalfe

Chair - Director

I am an experienced School Business Professional and Multi-Academy Trust executive leader. I have worked in finance and operations in a range of schools and academy trusts and am currently the Chief Financial Officer of the Diocese of Westminster Academy Trust. Prior to this I was Chief Operating Officer for Inspiration Trust. I was a member of the DfE Expert Group which authored the Standard for Teachers’ Professional Development and contributed to the new specification for the National Professional Qualifications. I am also a member of the Children’s Commissioner’s Audit and Risk Committee.

I hold the Advanced Professional Qualification in School Financial and Operational Leadership and am also a DfE accredited School Resource Management Adviser.

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Mike Fuller

Director

Mike is a retired group company secretary for a major national housing association for older people. Prior to this he spent time at HSBC UK fulfilling a number of management roles in operations and credit. He also chaired the Housing Association Company Secretaries Forum and is a Governor and Vice Chair at St Bede’s School in Redhill.

Mike joined Chipstead Valley as a Parent Governor prior to it becoming an Academy and has served as Chair of our Finance and Audit Committee and as a Governor at New Valley.

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Mike Howarth

Director

I am an Executive Director leading a major asset management, utilities infrastructure and critical services business across England and Wales. I am a qualified engineer by background with over 30 years of experience in businesses delivering and supporting technology and engineering solutions. I am keen to share my knowledge, experience and insight in operations, business strategy and governance, often in heavily regulated industrial sectors, for the benefit of our schools’ leadership teams.

I have three children - one in further education, one in secondary school and one at junior school in the local area. As an engineer by background, I am passionate about engaging children at an early age in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) based subjects and inspiring the next generation of engineers within our communities.

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Zoe Harris MBE

Chief Executive - Director

Having been appointed as the Chief Executive Officer for PACE Academy Trust in September 2021, I feel privileged to be leading such a flourishing trust, where our schools work closely in partnership with each other, whilst remaining vibrant and creative settings in their own right. Our schools are diverse in size, context and locality and we use this diversity to learn from each other; this is what makes PACE a special place to work.

I have worked as a headteacher and executive leader in a diverse range of schools across Croydon, Surrey and Sutton, including roles within other MATs. This breadth of experience has provided me with insight into the vast achievements that are accomplished by schools, as well as the challenges that different settings face. My role as an executive leader for a contrasting Multi Academy Trust provided an opportunity to see ‘first hand’ what can be achieved by a group of schools working in partnership towards the same goals and the NPQEL qualification that I achieved in 2019 embedded this further. Having spent most of my headship years as a leader within the maintained sector, I completely understand the caution you may have as a leader when contemplating joining a MAT. However, I can absolutely assure you of the benefits that being part of a small Multi-Academy Trust bring. The opportunities, team-work, sense of security and the support available is second to none- and incredibly reassuring in a climate of educational and financial uncertainty.

I am passionate about inclusion, the UNICEF rights of the child and ensuring all learners appreciate the value of diversity and understand the importance of equality. As the CEO of PACE, I am committed to ensuring that every child receives an excellent educational experience, empowering them to achieve their full potential as learners now, but also equipping them to flourish as adults in the future.

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