WMG Academy for Young Engineers is overseen by the WMG Academy Trust. The Trust is made up members from industry and the University of Warwick who have led the development of WMG Academy and oversee its running from a strategic perspective.
The Trust Board is chaired by Christine Ennew, who can be contacted via telephone: 024 7646 4661 or
Email: [email protected]
or c/o The Chief Executive Officer
WMG Academy for Young Engineers
Mitchell Avenue
Coventry
CV4 8DY
The Accounting office is Mr Stewart Tait and the Chief Financial Officer is Mrs Louise Green.
Professor Christine Ennew – Formerly Provost, University of Warwick – Chair of the Trust Board
Christine has extensive experience of academic leadership, domestically and internationally. For 7 years, she was Provost at the University of Warwick where she led the development and delivery of the University’s academic strategy. She was responsible for all aspects of academic performance with a particular focus on finances, human resources and space. She also provided leadership in relation to recruitment/admissions, online/distance delivery, EDI/inclusion and sustainability.
Before joining Warwick, she was Provost at the University of Nottingham Malaysia Campus with responsibility for all aspects of campus strategy and operations, both academic and non-academic. She spent 5 years as Pro Vice Chancellor at the University of Nottingham and 3 years as Dean of Social Sciences.
Christine graduated from Cambridge University and completed her PhD at Nottingham. In 2016, Chris was awarded an OBE as part of the Queen’s Birthday Honours, for services to Higher Education and British-Malaysian Relations.
Sally Lucas, BA (Hons), CIPD – Executive Director of Coventry & Warwickshire Chambers of Commerce Training
Sally joined Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber Training after graduating from Coventry University with an honours degree in Psychology, followed by a post graduate diploma in Personnel Management. She has held a number of management positions within the organisation, prior to taking up the post of Executive Director in 2001.
Key responsibilities include setting the strategic vision and leading one of the largest vocational training and development organisations in Coventry and Warwickshire, providing Apprenticeships and other training for over a thousand young people and adults, alongside an extensive range of business to business courses.
As head of Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber Training, a wholly owned subsidiary of Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce, Sally is responsible for delivering high quality workforce development solutions which support businesses and individuals to grow. This includes developing strategic partnerships, including membership of local, regional and national skills bodies, including the British Chambers of Commerce Skills Forum and the Jobs and Skills Business Group of Coventry and Warwickshire LEP, where her role is to champion Apprenticeships, particularly for young people.
Rachel Cooper – Assistant Professor, Centre for Teacher Education at the University of Warwick
Rachel Cooper has a wealth of experience within secondary education. She began teaching in 1998
and has worked within a variety of challenging schools, predominantly in pastoral leadership roles.
Rachel joined Warwick University’s Centre for Teacher Education in 2014 as a member of teaching
staff on the secondary PGCE programme. Rachel is currently the Designated Safeguarding Lead
within CTE and also the Religious Studies subject lead.
Rachel is currently undertaking her PhD research which focuses on how safeguarding is effectively
taught to pre-service teachers on PGCE programmes.
Nicola Constant – Chief Financial Officer, WMG at the University of Warwick
Nicola joined the University of Warwick in in 1990 and has held many roles within the University since. Currently she leads the finance function as CFO for WMG, an Academic Department within the University which is known for its close links to industry and the founding Department for the Academy. Nicola is accountable for the financial aspects WMG, reporting to the Head of Department and the Group Finance Director of the University, whilst being part of the Executive Team within WMG. Nicola is a member of the Chartered Institute for Management Accountants, and holds an MBA from the University of Warwick.
James Morgan – Chief Engineer, Jaguar Land Rover
Jim is an experienced leader and digital transformation professional having over 15 years’ experience in automotive diagnostics systems. He is currently Jaguar Land Rover’s (JLR) Chief Engineer for Connected Diagnostics and has been engaged throughout his career in leading organisations in the strategic development, planning and execution of complex technology programmes mostly, although not exclusively, in automotive environments.
He is now leading the Strategic-Connected Diagnostics Platform for JLR and the ‘Software over the Air’ programmes, the goal of which is to ensure JLR’s vehicles are operating with up-to-date software, and able to host state of the art features in the luxury automotive segment.
An Engineer by background Jim obtained his BSc (Hons) Degree in Engineering from Coventry University, and is passionate about using Engineering as a force for change, making a difference to the lives of others.
Prior to joining JLR in 2012, Jim worked with a number of Global automotive manufacturers, mainly in the Engineering and Aftersales domains.
Outside his role at JLR Jim is married, with 2 young children. He was a School Governor for Caludon Castle, an Academy School and part of the Castle Phoenix Trust. His hobbies include running and cycling.
Stewart Tait – Chief Executive Officer, WMG Academy Trust
Stewart is an ex-officio Trustee by virtue of his role as Chief Executive Officer.
Stewart joined the WMG Academy Coventry as part of the executive team prior to its opening in September 2014 and has worked for the Trust ever since taking on the role of Principal of the WMG Solihull Academy when it opened in September 2016. He now oversees the running of both academies – Coventry and Solihull. Prior to joining the WMG Academy Trust, Stewart held a number of senior positions within schools and worked as a LA Strategy Advisor.
Jenny McMillan – Make UK’s Company Secretary and Business Performance Director
Jenny leads on corporate governance, including the company’s legal and regulatory compliance. Jenny also has responsibility for business performance, including strategic oversight of the performance and operations of our Health, Safety & Sustainability business services.
Jenny graduated King’s College London with an LLB Law. Her career spans the public and charitable sectors with roles across HM Government, Old Royal Naval College and the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park. During a decade at the heart of Government she worked directly with Prime Ministers and Cabinet Ministers including as Private Secretary to the Home Secretary. She was awarded an OBE in 2011 for her work at the Cabinet Office.
Pippa Glover BSc FCA – Deputy Finance Director, University of Warwick
Pippa is Deputy Finance Director at the University of Warwick, with a particular focus on financial compliance, governance and assurance. Pippa’s career in Higher Education started at Warwick in 2002. She has held a variety of roles across the institution, including as a member of the project team that built and launched the first WMG Academy at Coventry.
Since that time, Pippa has maintained her involvement with the WMG Academy Trust, including most recently as Independent Member of the Trust Finance and General Purposes Committee. Pippa took over the role of member appointed trustee for the University of Warwick in November 2024. Pippa is a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW) where she is a member of Council and chairs the ICAEW Members and Commercial Board. As part of her role at Warwick, Pippa is a director and company secretary for several University trading subsidiaries.
Attendees
- Claire Morris – Associate Principal, WMG Academy Solihull
- Adele Wallis – Associate Principal, WMG Academy Coventry
- Louise Green – Finance Director, WMG Academy
- Sarah Thomas – Clerk to the Trust Board and Governing Bodies (Governance Professional)
Resigned
- Graham Thompsett – Resigned September 2019
- Glenda Kershaw – Resigned January 2020
- Ben Story – Resigned September 2021
- Dave Williams – Resigned September 2021
- Mike Wright – Resigned May 2022
- Kate Tague – Resigned August 2022
- Jo Lopes – Resigned September 2022
- Charlotte Horobin – Resigned September 2023
- Stuart Baker – Resigned April 2024
- Andrew Smith – Resigned July 2024
- Fiesal Mahroof – Resigned August 2024
- Dr Andy Mottershead – Resigned January 2025
WMG Academy Trust Members
- Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce – represented by Corin Crane
- EEF, trading as Make UK – represented by Richard Greenway
- Group Director of Finance, University of Warwick – Rosie Drinkwater OBE
Declarations Of Interest
Trust Board Declarations of Interest Table
Governance Structure
The WMG Academy Trust Board oversees governance across the entire trust, with some powers and responsibilities delegated to committees, sub-committees and local governing bodies. You can find out more about the overall governance structure below and about the local governing bodies for each academy by clicking on the respective academy below.
Overarching WMG Academy Trust Governance Structure
WMG Academy Coventry Local Governing Body
WMG Academy Solihull Local Governing Body
Meeting Attendance
Trust Board Meeting Attendance 2023-2024
Meeting Minutes
Parents can request access to meeting minutes by emailing [email protected].