The Shared Service Team
Chris Southall - Trust Leader
Chris became trust leader for Embrace Multi Academy Trust upon formation of the trust in April 2019. He had previously chaired the strategy group of heads and chairs of governors that paved the way for the establishment of the trust.
Prior to his current role, Chris was principal at Brockington College for nine years, during which time the school became an academy, changed age range to 11-16 and increased numbers on roll from 850 to 1250 pupils.
Chris has 20 years’ experience as a senior leader in schools.
Bev Cuppelditch - Chief Financial Officer
Bev was appointed as chief financial officer for Embrace Multi Academy Trust upon its formation in April 2019.
Bev is a qualified CIPFA accountant and has 19 years’ experience in business management within schools, including three years at Brockington College where she played a key role in working towards the formation of the trust.
Bev brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to her current role at Embrace.
Craig Clasper - Human Resources Manager
Craig was appointed as the trust’s first HR manager in March 2021. Prior to his appointment, Craig had worked with the local authority for over 10 years, providing operational and strategic HR advice and support to a large number of Leicestershire schools and academies.
Craig brings a wealth of leadership and management experience to his role with Embrace, having completed 25 years’ service with the British Army, from boy soldier to commissioned officer.
Lyndsey Beckett - Primary Academy Improvement Lead
Lyndsey has been the headteacher of Sherrier Church of England Primary School since 2006.
She worked with Embrace primary schools during the formation of the trust, which led to improvements at Key Stage 2 described by the regional schools commissioner as ‘stunning’.
Lyndsey was subsequently appointed as Embrace primary academy improvement lead and works with primary colleagues to plan and implement the primary improvement strategy.
Louise Nixon - Executive Assistant
Louise is an experienced administrator with skills and knowledge gained from working in secondary schools for over 16 years.
Prior to joining Embrace, Louise was the principal’s PA at Brockington College for seven years, as well as clerk to the governing board.
As executive assistant at Embrace, Louise provides valuable support to the trust leader, central team and academies within the trust.