Members are similar to a company’s shareholders – they sit above the Board of Directors and have a largely hands-off role.

Their key responsibilities include appointing the Directors and holding them to account for the successful governance of the Trust.

PDET Members

Peterborough Diocese Church Schools Trust (PDCST) currently represented by Mr Peter Cantley

Peter is Director of Education for The Diocese of Peterborough.  He is the principal adviser to the Diocesan Board of Education.  He holds a number of board member positions across the Diocese.

Chair of the Board of Directors of PDET, currently Margaret Holman

Margaret was Headteacher of Bishop Stopford School, a Church of England converter academy for 16 years.  During this time, she was a National Leader of Education (and Bishop Stopford was designated a National Support School). She was a member of the first Fellowship Commission of NLEs reporting to the Secretary of State, and she sat on the Secondary Heads Reference Group at the DfE for over 10 years.  Margaret is a trustee of the Woodard Corporation and currently chairs its Education committee.  She is also a director of the Woodard Academies Trust, chairing the WAT’s Education committee.

The Venerable Richard Ormston, Appointee of PDCST 

The Venerable Richard Ormston has been in ordained ministry since 1987.  He is currently Archdeacon of Northampton.  He is the Chair of the Diocesan Board of Education.  During his time in parish ministry, he has been a governor of four schools, actively involved with a range of other schools. Richard was previously, Chaplain to Northampton Saints RFC.

Reverend Doug Spenceley, Appointee of PDCST

Reverend Doug Spenceley has been ordained since 2009.  He was Bishop’s Vicar for Church Schools in Peterborough Diocese until August 2021.  He served in a range of roles in schools during his employment, and was for 10 years Assistant Education Officer for Special Educational Needs with Northamptonshire LEA.  Doug was a SIAMS inspector until 2018.  He has been involved in governance in various schools and MATS, including 10 years as Chair of a CofE Primary School.  He is currently a Director of iMAT and governor at Flore CE Primary School.

Dr. Ron Whittaker

Dr Ron Whittaker is a Director of two not for profit companies specialising in technology and providing facilities for small businesses.  He is a member of the DBE and sits on its Executive Committee.  Ron was a former Chair and sat on the Board of Bishop Stopford School for 25 years.  He is currently a Director of the Nene Education Trust based in East Northants.

Register of Interests: Members of PDET