Central Team

The EPT’s range of support services are tailored to the needs of each school. Services are managed and delivered by our highly qualified and approachable central team, who are dedicated to securing the long term success of your school by providing access to information and guidance on all aspects of school support, including school improvement, Ofsted compliance and preparation, health & safety, HR, finance, IT and governance.

Sharon Roscoe
Chief Executive

Sharon has worked as a MAT CEO for over 10 years with extensive governance experience having served as a governor and chair of governors for primary, secondary, alternative provision and special school governing bodies. She graduated as MBA in 2011 from Lancaster University. Sharon led the successful re-brokerage and transfer of Atherton High School and Burnley High School into the EPT in 2020. She is a member of the Department for Education Alternative Provision Stakeholder group which advises government and shapes policy.

Caroline Howarth
Human Resources Director

Caroline has worked in the education sector for over 8 years, having previously held a senior management role within the travel industry for over 13 years. Her expertise is in both operational and strategic HR practices. Caroline is CIPD qualified and is also a MBTI practitioner and works strategically with the CEO and FD to ensure legal compliance and implementation of the Trust’s vision and values. Overseeing all aspects of human resources management, she has established and developed the Human Resource team to effectively support the schools within the Trust.

Jonathan Georgy
Finance Director

Jonathan has worked as an Auditor across various sectors for 10 years where he started to specialise in academy audits. Prior to joining the Education Partnership Trust, Jonathan worked for 3 years as the Financial Accountant for a large, national Multi Academy Trust. Jonathan qualified as a Chartered Accountant in 2012 and has associated professional qualifications. In addition to Finance, Jonathan oversees IT and Estates across the Trust.

Mark Cocker
Director of Education

Mark is a qualified teacher and holds the National Professional Qualification for Headship. Mark was Headteacher for seven years at a Trust secondary school, successfully leading the school from Requires Improvement to Outstanding in all areas. Prior to working as the Director of Education, Mark gained extensive senior management experience as an Assistant Headteacher, Deputy Headteacher and Headteacher in a range of comprehensive schools across four local authorities in the North West. He has experience of Ofsted inspections, leading on quality assurance, learning and assessment, curriculum design, safeguarding, behaviour and attendance and leadership.

Linda Clarke
Finance Manager

Linda became a qualified accountant in 2001 after choosing to study whilst also working full time in the profit sector and practice. After this Linda moved to work in the Not for Profit sector for several years as Head of Finance for a charity supporting adults with Learning Disabilities before taking a two year break to be a full time Foster Carer. Linda then moved back into the profit sector doing the accounts for an e-commerce and hospitality business. In June 2020, during lockdown, Linda moved to work for EPT as Finance Manager.

Talha Mulla
IT Manager

Talha has over 11 years’ experience within the IT industry. Prior to joining the central team, he was the IT Manager at one of our trust schools. Talha holds certifications in IT software and hardware including networking and firewall. Talha has extensive knowledge and experience of the education sector, supporting both staff and students in teaching and learning with the use of IT.

Helen Appleby
HR Operations Manager

Helen joined the Central Team in January 2022 as HR Operations Manager and is responsible for all HR matters including employee relations, recruitment and learning and development.  Helen brings 9 years’ experience in HR and is qualified to Post Graduate Level with Level 7 CIPD.  Helen has previously managed HR within the sectors of Engineering, Construction and Manufacturing.

Wendy Bridson
Governance Manager

Wendy joined the Central Team in May 2022 having previously worked in Local Government. She brings 19 years’ experience of working in governance to her role and is responsible for overseeing governance effectiveness and compliance within the Trust, ensuring it meets statutory and regulatory requirements. Wendy’s role focuses on the functioning of the school’s Local Governing Bodies by providing administrative and organisational support, along with guidance on procedural matters.

Nicola Platt
Health, Safety & Wellbeing Manager

Nicola is responsible for health, safety and wellbeing.  Her role focuses on promoting and delivering wellbeing initiatives and, training opportunities for our workforce whilst ensuring that the Trust is compliant in all health & safety matters.  Nicola holds the National General Certificate in Occupational Health & Safety and brings 8 years of experience of working in an educational setting to her role from previously working as School Business Manager in a school in Salford and has worked in the travel industry beforehand in a managerial capacity for over 15 years.

Asghar Hussain
Field IT Technician

Asghar studied at the University of Central Lancashire and achieved an upper-class degree in Computer Network Technology BSc (Hons). He has previously worked with the Department for Work and Pensions and is now a Field Technician developing the IT infrastructure for all schools within the trust.

Kyle Robinson
Finance Officer

Kyle is a qualified AAT accountant and offers financial support to all our schools as well as being responsible for financial administration centrally. Amongst the range of support provided, he specialises in providing assistance on Sage which is the accounting software used by the Trust. He also provides support on the Trust’s new budgeting and forecasting system and is responsible for administering the staff wellbeing policy. He undertakes internal audit visits to review schools’ purchasing systems and controls and provide recommendations for improvement prior to external audit.