Trustees
Jack Harrison
Jack is born and bred in Kingston upon Hull and has been involved in teaching for 43 years. He is an ex head teacher of a large estate primary school and taught all his career in challenging inner city schools. Jack has always believed in the importance of schools working together to learn from and support each other. While head teacher he was co leader of a very successful Network Learning Community of 13 primary and 2 secondary schools supported by the NCSL , sharing ideas and new learning. Later he led a Learning Network Community involving multi agencies including health, social services, police and educationists to try to ensure joined up working in the best interests of all children. Jack worked as the Extended Schools Reorganisation Advisor for Kingston upon Hull to facilitate the setting up of the Extended Schools programme across the city. Since retirement he has been working part-time at Hull University with PGCE students training to be the next generation of teachers in the Hull and East Riding area. Jack was asked to become a trustee of the Enquire Learning Trust when it was started in 2012 and gladly accepted. He is married to Pam, until recently, a primary school teacher and they have two grown up sons. He is an lifelong supporter of Hull City Tigers football club and has greatly enjoyed their recent success, especially last year’s FA cup run. He is involved as the league secretary of the local table tennis league and still plays on a weekly basis, occasionally winning the odd game!
Darren Holmes
Darren leads the development of the Enquire Learning Trust. In this capacity works with leaders, teachers, local governors and other professionals to enhance leadership, develop teaching and learning, facilitate improvement, foster transformation and generate quality outcomes for young people. Developing effective approaches to collaboration lies at the heart of Darren’s leadership and the work of the Trust. Darren is an experienced leader, coach and facilitator. His specialism is in developing practice, provision and opportunity through reflection on action, enquiry based learning and powerful communities of practice. He has written on a range of leadership issues for journals and national publications and has presented at national and international research conventions. He is an experienced designer of professional development and has a passion for unlocking the potential of others. Darren has made a key contribution to work at regional and national level through the National College, DfE and TDA. His previous experience includes more than 20 years as a teacher, school leader and senior local authority officer. He has worked as a researcher and facilitator for the National College. Together with Ronnie Woods he co-created Enquire in 2006. Darren is a Yorkshire emigre living in the North East. He is married to Suzanne and they have three fantastic children who provide a crucial perspective on learning. In his spare time he reads widely, tends a wildlife garden, walks a dog, plays football and picks a mean guitar!
Jim Cassidy
Originally from Falkirk, Jim left school and entered a career in retail, working the length and breadth of the country and eventually settling in Cleethorpes as Branch Trading Manager. In 1999 Jim decided to settle in Cleethorpes and began a career in financial services. In 2001 Jim opened Argyle Estate Agents and Financial Services Ltd in Cleethorpes, Lincolnshire, a company which he still operates today. Jim is also a Director of Argyle Lettings Ltd.
Ron Kirk
Ron Kirk has a strong business background. He works as a Chartered Accountant and Tax Adviser and is currently represents for Great Ayton as a member of Hambleton District Council. He works closely with the Member of Parliament for the Richmond constituency and is Chair of the Richmond Conservative Association.
Giles McCourt
Giles is a solicitor, specialising in commercial property development and investment, with a vast experience of transactional real estate work acting for landowners, developers and investors. Giles joined us in July 2017 and felt joining Enquire was the natural step. The success of Enquire was the main reason for Giles joining the team. Giles is committed to using his professional background to provide clear, practical and focused advice to the Trust. Education and teaching has always been a significant part of Giles’s life, as his Dad was a Secondary Headteacher for over 20 years and his younger sister is an Assistant Headteacher with a specialism in SEND. Giles is also the Vice Chair and Trustee of The Tiny Lives Trust, the charity that supports the Special Care Baby Unit at Newcastle’s RVI Hospital. He is also a keen runner, having completed 7 consecutive Great North Runs.
Richard Hildyard
Rich has 20 years’ experience in senior management including 16 years at board level as director and chairman in a range of established businesses and start-ups. Founder of 2 successful businesses sold to global companies. Rich specialises in helping companies take advantage of new opportunities and advising how best to re-engineer their existing businesses leveraging new technology. Experienced in the hands on practice and board level management of all major business functions including Finance, Operations, IT and Sales, and at all scales from pre-investment start-up through to global corporations. A firm believer in the power of effective communication to motivate and inspire teams and individuals, and a strong advocate of allowing colleagues at all levels to take risks and challenge accepted methods of working. Rich has a BSc(hons) in Law and Mathematics, an MBA (distinction) and is a certified Hogan psychometrics practitioner.
Sarah Smith
Sarah leads the Cultural Development Fund programme in Grimsby for North East Lincolnshire Council. This fund has 4 ambitious inter-related strands of activity (public realm, hub and workspace, business development and creative programme) to unlock economic growth and productivity, strengthen local leadership and be truly place-changing. Prior to this, Sarah spent nearly 20 years in various roles in Human Resources as a generalist and leader focussed on coaching, enabling, facilitating, motivating and developing others’ in their practice. Naturally determined, passionate and committed, she’s also an executive member of her local scout group contributing to their charitable aims and vision, a regular runner and travels near and far to discover treasure in plastic containers aka geocaching! Married to Paul, Sarah is also mum to two children who provide an insight into how good educational and wider learning provision provide opportunities, aspiration and ambition to young people.
Ross Preston
Ross is a charted accountant and has a strong business background. After training and qualifying through ICAS with PwC, Ross worked as a Group Financial Controller of a £200m turnover international group. This experience as a senior member of the finance team has provided Ross with a commercial insight which he is able to bring to discussions. Over his career Ross spent several years with other top 10 accountancy firms before joining Armstrong Watson as an Audit & Assurance Partner in early 2020. He specialises in looking after charities and multi academy trusts as well as a number of family owned businesses. This experience allows Ross to contribute to discussions regarding good governance and the internal control environment in particular. Ross has two primary school age children and is passionate about the education sector. In his spare time he likes to attend York City football matches (when he gets time) and enjoys playing football.
Dave Borthwick
Dave retired 3 years ago after a working life of over 40 years in education, starting as a Maths and Science teacher for 12 years. Dave took great pleasure in developing the residential experiences for all children but particularly for those from the less advantaged backgrounds. Dave moved to work as a Training Co-ordinator for Governors in the local authority before taking responsibility for Payroll, Human Resources and Catering. After 13 years of working for the local authority, Dave started his own HR & Payroll company, Schools First in September 2000 offering support to Schools across the North of England and became a supporter of the Enquire Learning Trust in its earliest days. Dave was involved in Headteacher Appraisal and assessing Support Staff in their national qualifications. Dave has a keen focus on ensuring that all children have the opportunity to develop their full potential and feels that this reaches its peak when the workforce is focused, enjoying their work and are well motivated.
Delyse Turrell
Delyse has thirty-six years teaching experience in primary schools across North East Lincs. Her most recent role was principal of a large primary school in the centre of Grimsby. Delyse’s previous leadership roles include Early Years, SEND, improving behaviour and attendance and working alongside leadership teams in other schools to develop reading provision. Education has been a significant and rewarding part of Delyse’s life and the opportunity to become a Trustee of Enquire Learning Trust on retirement from teaching, is a great privilege and an opportunity to continue to contribute to the education of young people.