The Trust Team
Joanna conlon – Director of finance
Joanna joined the Finance Team at Horizons Education Trust in March 2024 as Director of Finance. She has previous public sector experience, having spent the last 15 years working with the Police, working her way up to Head of Finance. She is a qualified Chartered Accountant.
Joanna will manage the day-to-day financial management and statutory requirements of the Trust.
In her spare time, Joanna enjoys spending time with her family and escaping to faraway places in the pages of a good book.
Jon-James Panther – Director of operations
Jon has built upon his career opportunities within our Trust. Moving from School Secretary at Spring Common Academy in April 2019, where he oversaw the management of the school office and administration. His next role was Executive Assistant at Horizons, where his management of administration expanded to all schools within the Trust and included supporting the HR function, building on his expertise in HR from a previous career as HR Adviser, supporting 50 schools.
Jon moved to Operations Manager in June 2023, where he managed the administrative function for our academies within the Trust, overseeing Human Resources processes and policy management as well as premises and estates. He is also the data protection contact for the Trust. Jon moved to Director of Operations in November 2024, continuing his work with premises, estates, HR and GDPR on behalf of Horizons Education Trust.
Whilst working, Jon achieved a First for his degree in Business Management with the Open University, he also holds a Level 5 CIPD qualification and an IOSH Managing Safely accreditation.
Esther hay - finance assistant
Esther Hay has worked at Spring Common Academy for over twenty years, starting as the School Receptionist and progressing over a number of years into her current role as the Finance Assistant. I am the first point of call for finance queries within the Trust.
Esther particularly enjoys cultivating relationships with staff and pupils across the Trust. In her role she is responsible for banking, payroll and the day to day financial management of the Trust and its Academies, whether that be processing an order of stationery for our teachers or paying an invoice for furniture and equipment to sustain an entirely new building project.
When Esther is not in the office she loves to travel and when at home, cooking and gardening are her favourite past times.
Karen brown - management accountant
Karen joined the Finance team at Horizons Education Trust in September 2023 as Management Accountant. With fifteen years' experience working as a Financial Analyst and Business Partner in the Media and Banking sectors, Karen will bring her business experience to the Trust Finance Team. She is a fully qualified Chartered Accountant (SA).
Karen has enjoyed working in the Education Finance Sector for five years. On a day-to-day basis, she will assist the Finance Manager with the preparation of the Monthly Management Accounts and Annual Budgeting/Forecasting; and in ensuring compliance with all Trust Financial Policies and Procedures.
In her spare time, Karen enjoys escaping into thriller novels.
amy spittle - Executive Assistant & COmmunications Manager
Amy joined Horizons Education Trust in October 2022 with a BA (Hons) in English Literature as Trust Communications Administrator, with a skill set in digital media and photography to support the maintenance and development of the Horizons Education Trust and the digital presence of our schools and the Trust.
Amy has since moved from Communications Executive in 2023, to Executive Assistant & Communications Manager 2024, supporting the executive team with policy management and administrative function, and managing the digital communications of the trust.
Academy Leadership Team
Riverside Meadows Academy - St Neots
Co-Head Teacher - Andrew Armstrong
Riverside Meadows Academy - Wisbech Green
Co-Head Teacher - Simon Wall
Spring Common Academy
Head Teacher - Rebecca Greig
Prestley Wood Academy
Head Teacher Designate - Caroline Place