KIT DAVIES – CEO, HART LEARNING GROUP AND PRINCIPAL, NHC
Kit Davies was appointed CEO of Hart Learning Group in April 2018, having undertaken the role on an acting basis from December 2017. He joined the Group in August 2015 as Deputy Principal of NHC and was promoted to Principal in September 2017.
Kit began his FE career in 2001, having previously lived and worked in Spain, Mexico and Japan teaching and training English language teachers.
Kit is a fully qualified teacher, teacher-trainer and language specialist with a broad set of classroom practitioner and management skills gained from over 20 years’ experience in a range of educational settings. His academic background is in the field of linguistics, having completed a degree in Spanish at Portsmouth University and then a master’s degree in Applied Linguistics at King’s College London. He has one published book to his name, a secondary school book on Spanish language and culture called ‘Spain Live’.
MARK LEWIS – HEADTEACHER, THOMAS ALLEYNE ACADEMY
Mark Lewis is Headteacher of The Thomas Alleyne Academy in Stevenage and Managing Director of The Hart Schools Trust, a multi-academy trust currently comprised of two schools. Mark is also a Trustee of Stevenage Education Trust, a charitable trust supporting 47 education institutions in Stevenage. Since gaining qualified teacher status in 2004, Mark has taught in three secondary schools and has been in senior leadership roles since 2008.
He became Headteacher of The Thomas Alleyne School in April 2012 and led the school through its conversion to an academy in 2013. The successful transformation of the school was recognised in 2015 when Ofsted judged Thomas Alleyne’s to be ‘good’ with ‘outstanding’ leadership and management. The school successfully maintained its ‘good’ rating following an Ofsted inspection in November 2019. Mark was promoted to the role of Managing Director of the Hart Schools Trust in September 2014. Mark holds a Masters Degree in Modern History from Oxford University, and a Post-Graduate Certificate in Education from Cambridge University. Mark has also been awarded the National Professional Qualification for Headship.
LIZZIE JONES – EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, HART LEARNING GROUP
Lizzie joined the Group in 2019 as Executive Director of Corporate Services. Lizzie has 14 years experience in the Further Education sector, having worked in senior management roles at Barnet and Southgate College and Oaklands College. She has worked across a range of corporate services, leading strategic organisational projects and transformation initiatives. Lizzie started her career in HR within local authority and Further Education settings.
GARY PHILLIPS – EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF QUALITY, CURRICULUM AND ORGANISATIONAL DEVELOPMENT
Gary oversees curriculum and quality and has responsibility for organisational development activity including equality, diversity and inclusion, culture and professional development. He has previously worked for the Education & Training Foundation leading on national programmes of development for teachers, leaders and governors.
Gary begun his career in the Travel and Aviation industry and has worked in FE for over 15 years. With a Masters in Education Leadership and Management Gary has also completed his PGCE and has a degree in Criminology and English.
PAUL HARTE – GROUP FINANCE DIRECTOR, HART LEARNING GROUP
Paul has worked across education, food and medical sectors. Graduated from Dublin Institute of Commerce and Trinity College, Dublin with a Degree in Business Science. Paul spent the majority of his professional life working across educational services and publishing with Simon & Schuster and then FTSE 100 company Pearson Education focusing on developing markets across Asia, Latin America, Africa and Middle East. He also stepped in to manage the Middle East region as well as Saudi Arabia from 2013 to 2015. Paul is a Fellow of Chartered Association of Certified Accountants (ACCA).
LINDSEY SHERRING – MANAGING DIRECTOR, HART LEARNING & DEVELOPMENT
Lindsey joined the Group in 2013 as the Director of Hart Learning & Development, where she oversees the apprenticeships offer. She has worked in the Further Education sector for the last 24 years, beginning her career at Worcester Sixth Form College before going on to work in a number of organisations ranging from sixth form colleges, independent training providers, and GFE colleges. For the past 10 years, Lindsey’s work has been predominately focussed on apprenticeships, including establishing the national Sports apprenticeship offer for Serco Vocational Training.
In her spare time, Lindsey is a keen athlete and regularly competes in triathlons across the country.
SKIP SINGLETON – DIRECTOR OF MIS, EXAMS AND REPORTING
Skip has been with the Group since July 2018 and was promoted to Director of MIS, Exams and Reporting in January 2020. Skip has been working in FE since March 2013 after training to teach in the sector and deciding they were better suited in corporate services, having previously worked in data & document management in the private sector. This is their third FE College and second senior management post. Skip completed an Open Degree (English & IT) with The Open University. They are currently working on PRINCE2 Project Management qualifications having recently completed the Change Management Practitioner qualification (APMG). They are also working towards an MBA with Anglia Ruskin University.
