Our Central Team

Sarah Mitchell

Chief Executive officer

Sarah joined CET in April 2022. Prior to her current role, she worked as Director of Education at a MAT supporting its growth and development, was Headteacher in a Buckinghamshire Primary School and held a number of senior leadership posts across Buckinghamshire and Wokingham. She has also been a Trust Governor in a large MAT. Sarah is a Level 7 Executive Coach and has an MA in Educational Leadership and Management during which she completed her dissertation research on the impact of collaboration in and across the MAT system. School Improvement and Leadership Development are Sarah’s passions and these drive her work as both CEO and system leader - she continues to provide outward facing consultancy and executive coaching, along with being an NPQEL coach for Ambition Institute. Outside of work, Sarah enjoys travelling, going to see musicals at the theatre and walking her dog.

Michele Lavelle

Chief Finance Office

Michele joined CET in January 2022. She is an experienced education and commercial finance executive and has worked in both primary and secondary education. She provides financial support and advice beyond the Trust and enjoys this extended role as a system-leader. Michele holds the CIPFA and AAT finance qualifications, integrating these with informed curriculum planning. Michele’s passion is to ensure that CET’s core values, providing the highest quality of education for the pupils, is driven by the efficient deployment of its resources to secure continuing school improvement. Outside of work, Michele enjoys gardening, travelling and discovering new culinary experiences.

Jo Moore

Education Standards Director (DSL)

Jo joined CET in January 2023. Prior to her current role, she worked as a Headteacher in Buckinghamshire leading a school from a ‘special measures’ category to ‘good’ and improving pupil outcomes, was a Deputy Headteacher and has held other leadership posts in both London and Buckinghamshire schools. She also has a wealth of experience as a Designated Safeguarding Lead. With a passion for improving the life chances of vulnerable children, Jo is driven to work with schools on school improvement, raising pupil outcomes and creating a strong safeguarding culture.

Chelsea Howard

Head of Finance

Chelsea joined CET in July 2022. Prior to her current role, she worked as a Senior Finance Consultant at an Educational Consultancy Provider supporting a range of MATs, SATs and maintained Schools. This included a broad range of consultancy including supporting with management accounts, finance system training, internal scrutiny’s and interim finance manager cover. Chelsea holds a Bachelor's degree in Business Studies with Finance, alongside a Level 4 qualification in Accounting. Currently, she is actively pursuing a Level 7 Diploma in School Financial Operational Leadership, focusing particularly on the intricacies of Multi-Academy Trust financial operations. Chelsea finds fulfilment in supporting the MATs education missions by assisting the business leaders across the trust. Her goal is to enable seamless financial management with the CFO to empower educators to focus on delivering quality education. Outside of work, Chelsea enjoys a variety of hobbies, including running, spending time with family, and taking long walks around the seaside and coasts of Dorset.

Jacqui Collins

PA to the CEO Trust Administrator

Jacqui joined CET in August 2021. Prior to her move to the Trust, she worked in a wide variety of school based support roles over a 20+ year period and was therefore able to bring a wealth of experience with her. With high standards and a keen eye for detail, Jacqui enjoys supporting the CEO in the smooth running of the Trust as well as building positive relationships with her colleagues across the Trust and beyond. In her spare time Jacqui enjoys travelling, reading, keeping fit and walking in the countryside with her beloved dog Tuco.