Executive Team Archives - Birmingham Diocesan Multi-Academy Trust

Dr Christopher Mansell

Chief Executive Officer

Christopher took up post as CEO of BDMAT on 01 September 2017. Prior to this, he had been Headteacher of 4 schools during a period of 17 years in Derby City, Derbyshire and Warwickshire, having commenced his first headship in 2000. All of his headships were at schools which were in ‘difficult situations’, including one that had recently been placed into Special Measures and one in an inner-city, highly deprived area. In 2013 he completed a Master of Philosophy degree at the University of Birmingham and in 2020 was awarded a doctorate from the University of Nottingham (thesis: examining the relationships that headteachers experience with their sponsor academy trusts).

Simon Bentley

Deputy Chief Executive Officer

Simon took up post as Deputy Chief Executive Officer in July 2022. In his role Simon acts as the Trust’s Chief Financial Officer and Chief Operating Officer. Prior to joining BDMAT he was Regional Operations Director at E-Act for 3 years where he led on operational strategy and transformed the delivery of professional support services across E-Act’s southern region. Simon has extensive experience working within the public sector, working as Head of Finance at Windsor Academy Trust during a period of growth, as well as a range of finance and operations roles at Solihull Council. Simon also serves as Chair of Finance and Human Resources Committee for Robin Hood Multi Academy Trust.

In Simon’s own words “I am delighted to be part of the BDMAT family, where we strive to provide all pupils, whatever their background, with a high quality education, the opportunity to reach their potential and to life live to its fullest”

Samantha Cosgrove

Director for Education

Sam took up the post as Director for Education in September 2018. Prior to this she was Executive Head Teacher of the Barchelai Multi Academy Trust which was based in the south of Birmingham.

The majority of the schools that Sam has worked in have been schools in areas of high deprivation including one that had been placed in Special Measures. Sam also chairs the Primary Oaks Committee and attends the System Leadership meetings with Birmingham Education Partnership.

Linda Gregory

Director of People

Linda has over 30 years’ experience working in the education sector and joins us with over 5 years’ experience from a similar role in another Multi Academy Trust. She was also previously CEO of the Birmingham based charity University of the First Age. She is passionate about developing people and ensuring we make a difference to the lives of the young people we support.

In her personal life she loves gardening, her 4 chickens and travelling with her husband.