Our Members
Julian Cobley
Julian has many years’ experience in strategic leadership roles, working in public and the private sector. He started his career as an IT consultant which led into a permanent role managing ICT infrastructure across Europe and the Emerging Markets region. Joining the local government sector in 2007, Julian held senior management roles at Cheshire County Council and Cheshire East Council where he specialised in digital, economic development and skills. In 2016, he went on to establish the Skills & Growth Company, providing economic development and skills services with the mind-set that everyone deserves the opportunity to succeed and every business the opportunity to thrive.
Harnessing his skills and experience, Julian joined the ENGIE group in 2019, where he is theNorth WestPartnership Director in EQUANS,whose purpose is to make zero carbon happen.Julian leads strategic partnerships with public sector customers providing technical services & facilities management, energy efficiency and regeneration.
Julian is an experienced non-executive director having been anambassador for Institute of Directors and sat on several industry advisory boards during his career. He has been a Trustee of Crewe University Technical College,since 2017,and remains a member of the local governing board,following the school’s merger with The Learning Alliance multi-academy trust in September 2021. He also serves as the Chair of the Weave Trust – a group of 6 schools in Cheshire and Halton.
Mrs Sam Lane
I am a Finance Director of an Architects Practice in Priorslee. I have a background in Property Administration, Financial Administration, Systems Administration and Health & Safety, which help me to scrutinise procedures, risk assessments and audits supporting Mighty Oaks Academy Trust.
I have been involved predominantly at Priorslee Academy since 2005 and have carried out many roles. I have been a Governor, Link Governor, Trustee and Chair of Friends (the PTA). During this time I have met with OFSTED for two inspections, taken part in the Comenius Project and have helped with the Arts award and the Healthy Schools Award.
As a Member I want to support the school and help raise funds to keep it as the wonderful learning environment it is. Helping to ensure all pupils in our Trust have every opportunity to take part, thrive and be the best they can possibly be.
Sean Westaway
Sean has been a School Governor since 2004 and a Chair of Governors since 2006, first in a VC CE Primary School but is now the current Chair of the Infinity Academies Trust, a 7 school Majority Church of England Primary MAT based in Lincolnshire.
Designated as a National Leader of Governance between 2015 and 2021, Sean was trained to carry out External Reviews of Governance (ERG). He received extremely positive feedback from the LA (Lincolnshire) and his support work was highlighted in Ofsted reports and featured in articles produced by KYRA Teaching School and Forum Strategy both focussing on rapid school improvement and his role in achieving this.
Sean has completed numerous governor Training courses including NLG Masterclasses and has worked with all of what were the Lincolnshire Teaching Schools to improve governance for all partner Schools and Trusts.
Sean has Chaired Independent Complaints Panels and has worked with MAT boards and Maintained School boards to improve all apsect of their governance, through Reviews of Governance, mentoring of Chairs or Full Governing Bodies and periods acting as an Associate Governor to model good governance. He is an associate of the Purple Governance advisory service.
Sean is very passionate about governance in Lincolnshire, especially Boston and East Lindsey as traditionally these areas have not been well supported. He also provides free training to new governors and update training to existing governors through governor forums which are run 3 times per year. This enables him to reach the maximum number of governors he can, to provide them with much needed advice, guidance and support.
Sean operates predominately in the Primary phase of education and will provide virtual support in any area and is willing to travel for face to face support when time and distance allows.. As well as providing advice and support to Governors, Sean works full time in the aviation Industry leading a team of Senior Safety Consultants and is a qualified and registered ISO standard auditor.
Mrs Ellen Osbourne
I have gained more than 20 years of local government experience within the education sector giving me extensive knowledge of safer recruitment and pre-employment practices within schools. I currently support more than 500 schools across the West Midlands region to ensure recruitment and the Single Central Record are compliant. I provide bespoke advice around complex recruitment issues.
I am also a Qualified Workplace Mediator and have dealt with both simple and complex cases, working with various categories of employees, from senior leaders to administration.
I am committed and passionate about ensuring the very best outcomes for all children and young people.
