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Meet the central team

Dr Craig Avieson

Chief Executive Officer (CEO)

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Craig has a wealth of teaching, leadership and research experiences over many years and across a wide range of contrasting schools within Suffolk, Norfolk and East London. Amongst other roles, he has worked as a university lecturer, teacher and senior leader. Craig became a primary Headteacher in 2014 and worked on the DfE Future Leaders programme.  He then moved onto an Executive Headteacher role overseeing two primary schools for a further five years, before joining Evolution Academy Trust in September 2021 as Director of Education, and becoming CEO in January 2023. 

Craig has been a mentor and coach to aspirant and serving headteachers nationally, through the Future Leaders/Ambition Institute. Craig's focus is on ensuring primary education improves the life chances of all children, regardless of background. Craig is passionate about educational research and staff professional development across EAT. He also currently serves as an Ofsted Inspector. 

 

Central team (Finance)

  • Finance Manager - Imogen Cheetham (FCCA) is a qualified accountant and has extensive experience working in Multi Academy Trusts.
  • Finance Manager - Helen Wells (FCCA) is a qualified accountant with considerable experience working in school finance in both the LA and Academy sectors.
  • Finance Officer - Maria Girdlestone has a wealth of school financial experience and is an integral part of the finance team.
  • Finance Officer - Louise Smith has over 20 years of finance experience.