David Hatchett
Chief Executive Officer
Dipo Odunsi
Executive Director of Finance
Claire Pannell
Executive Director of Professional Services - General Counsel
Elma Lawson
Executive Director of Education
Hannah Fahey
Director of Secondary Standards & System Leadership
Vicki Briody
Director of Education, Primary (South)
Simon Morley
Director of Education, Primary (North)
David Hatchett
Chief Executive Officer
David Hatchett is the new CEO of Anthem Schools Trust. An experienced executive leader, David has held senior positions across two large national multi-academy trusts, a FTSE 100 company, and across and within schools. David has also served as an Ofsted Inspector of schools for many years, worked as an examiner, and co-authored a series of educational textbooks for a leading publisher. Beyond his executive leadership, David holds extensive governance experience. He currently serves as a Trustee for two charities, Parentkind and the English-Speaking Union, where he also chairs the Education Committee. His previous governance experience includes serving as a Governor at a successful sixth form college in London, Chair of a single academy trust in Middlesbrough, and as a member of an NHS Board. David holds a Bachelor’s degree in Education with English, a Master’s degree in Educational Leadership, and an MBA in Executive Management.
Dipo Odunsi
Executive Director of Finance
Anthem's Executive Director of Finance, Dipo Odunsi, has a wealth of experience from both the private and public sectors, and has worked in higher and further education for over 10 years. Dipo's previous role was in a small MAT where he worked for eight years, successfully managing multiple back-office functions including finance, governance, IT and estates.
Claire Pannell
Executive Director of Professional Services - General Counsel
Claire is Anthem’s Director of Professional services – General Counsel. She has worked for the Trust in various forms for over 12 years, most recently as our Director of Governance. Claire is a qualified solicitor, specialising in education law and is also Anthem's Data Protection Officer and Company Secretary. She has previously worked for Education Development Trust as in-house legal and senior education development consultant, and as a senior education solicitor at education specialist law firm Veale Wasbrough Vizards. Beyond Anthem, Claire is an Academy Councillor for Hans Price Academy in Weston and Lime Hills Academy, a special school in Somerset.
Elma Lawson
Executive Director of Education
Elma is Anthem's Executive Director of Education, responsible for assuring the quality of education delivered across the whole Trust. Elma has 14 years’ experience in senior leadership roles and has a track record of improving student outcomes and raising standards. Most recently she was a Regional Education Director at E-Act, working with both secondary and primary schools.
Hannah Fahey
Director of Secondary Standards & System Leadership
Former Headteacher of St Mark's Academy Hannah Fahey is Anthem's newly appointed Director of Secondary Standards & System Leadership. Hannah provides strategic leadership and direct support to our secondary schools, drawing on her deep understanding of school improvement, inclusive practice, and values-led leadership. Her high standards and collaborative approach will continue to drive improvement and strengthen our secondary community across Anthem.
Vicki Briody
Director of Education, Primary (South)
Having been Headteacher at Abacus Belsize Primary School since it opened in 2013, Vicki is now Director of Education for Anthem’s five primary schools based in London and the Thames Valley. Vicki leads our work on Instructional Coaching across Anthem primary schools.
Simon Morley
Director of Education, Primary (North)
Simon Morley is the Director of Education for our five East Midlands primary schools. Simon brings extensive experience of school leadership in primary education to the Trust. He has worked for over 25 years in good and outstanding schools in London, Cambridgeshire and Lincolnshire, with 12 of those years as a headteacher in two different schools, including Anthem’s Boston West Academy, where he was Headteacher between 2017-2022. Simon is a collaborative leader who is deeply committed to striving for excellence and maximising opportunities for all children and young people.