An overview of our Members and our Trustees here at University of Lincoln Academy Trust can be found below. Please click on the names/image for information about each person.
Members and Trustees
Professor Neal Juster Chair
Neal Juster is Vice-Chancellor of the University of Lincoln. He is a graduate of the University of Leeds where he obtained a BSc in Mechanical Engineering and a PhD in Computer Aided Design
Neal has extensive experience in University Management: He was Senior Vice-Principal and Deputy Vice Chancellor at the University of Glasgow having been initially appointed as Vice-Principal (Strategy & Resources). Previously he was Pro Vice-Principal, Dean of the Faculty of Engineering and Head of Department in the Department of Design, Manufacture and Engineering Management at the University of Strathclyde and Senior Lecturer in the Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Leeds. His research interests were in the broad area of computer aided design including rapid prototyping and use of virtual reality in design and manufacturing processes.
Neal a Fellow of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE) and a member of the QAA Advisory Committee on Degree Awarding Powers
He is a Director of UL Learning Resources Ltd, Riseholme Park Farms Ltd, ULEX and UoL Services Ltd. His is also Chair of the Members Committee for the University of Lincoln Academy Trust.
Dr Anita Backhouse Chair of the Trust
Dr Backhouse started her working life as a laboratory manager in the food industry before becoming a science teacher and Head of Department. Following this, she worked in school improvement for a local authority for about 8 years supporting both primary and secondary schools across the East Riding of Yorkshire.
This experience has provided her with a strong sense of the day today and the strategic challenges and issues that schools face.
Moving into academia in 2008, working as a Senior Lecturer, teaching on both undergraduate (Primary) and PGCE primary and secondary teacher training programmes. Also playing an active role in mentoring and assessing colleagues in their HEA Associate and Fellowship applications both within the institution and internationally.
Joining the University of Lincoln in 2016, completing her doctorate soon after.
Becoming the Head of School in 2020, having oversight of two undergraduate programmes, a large MA Education programme of which the vast majority are international students and primary and secondary PGCE programmes run in partnership with two local teacher training providers. The research environment in the School is strengthening at a pace and recent appointments have provided us with a growing capacity to engage in high quality research into education and social justice both locally and internationally.
Outside of academia, Dr Backhouse has been a primary school chair of governors for many years and its relatively recent academy conversion into what is quite a secondary dominated MAT has highlighted the interesting dynamics that can be part of this partnership.
The Very Reverend Dr Simon Jones The Very Reverend Dr Simon Jones
Dean of Lincoln Cathedral
Jenny Worth Jenny Worth
Educated at Royal School Bath and Homerton College, Cambridge, qualified to teach at Primary school level. Open University honours degree. Magistrate 1979 – 2010, Chairman of Bench 2003 – 2006.
Governor of University Academy , Holbeach until 2019 and Governor of Holbeach Primary Academy and Holbeach Bank Academy, retiring 2025.
Parish Councillor for 15 years, volunteer for Victim Support and currently a volunteer for Holbeach Community Café and Food Bank. Interests include botanical painting, walking, gardening and music.
Trustees:
Dr Anita Backhouse 
Dr Anita Backhouse
Chair of Trustees (Member)
Dr Backhouse started her career as a laboratory manager in the food industry before becoming a science teacher and Head of Department. Following this, she worked in school improvement for a local authority for 8 years, supporting both primary and secondary schools across the East Riding of Yorkshire.
Moving into academia in 2008 as a Senior Lecturer, teaching on both undergraduate (Primary) and PGCE primary and secondary teacher training programmes. Also playing an active role in mentoring and assessing colleagues in their HEA Associate and Fellowship applications both within the institution and internationally.
Joining University of Lincoln in 2016, completing a doctorate soon after, following which she became the Head of School in 2020. The role involves having oversight of two undergraduate programmes, a large MA Education programme of which the vast majority are international students and primary and secondary PGCE programmes, in partnership with two local teacher training providers. Our research environment in the School is strengthening at a pace and recent appointments have provided us with a growing capacity to engage in high quality research into education and social justice both locally and internationally.
Stuart Anderson 
Stuart Anderson
(Chief Executive Officer)
Stuart Anderson became CEO of University of Lincoln Academy Trust in September 2025. A renowned educationalist and school leader, Stuart has dedicated his career to raising standards across all phases of education and in challenging contexts. With a background in English education, curriculum design, and system leadership, Stuart brings a wealth of experience from working with schools, trusts and communities.
Stuart is passionate about ensuring every child – regardless of background – has access to a first-class education. He is especially interested in in the development of school culture and curriculum, with an MA in Leadership and Management.
Stuart’s career has spanned move than 23 years and given him an invaluable insight into school leadership. This has included as a Deputy CEO, Regional Director and Executive Principal in a large MAT, and has twice been Principal. In his first headship, Stuart guided a school out of ‘Special Measures’ and in his second he fresh started a school that went to straight to ‘outstanding’, was named ‘World Class’ and achieved the highest SIAMs (Church Inspections) grade each time.
Lesley Bunn 
Lesley Bunn
(Safeguarding Trustee)
Lesley Bunn is an accomplished senior leader in higher education, with over eighteen years’ experience delivering strategic and operational leadership across complex, multi-disciplinary environments. She currently serves as Director of Operations for the College of Arts, Social Sciences & Humanities at the University of Lincoln, where she leads a diverse College portfolio spanning professional services, academic programme and student administration delivery, financial management, recruitment & marketing, research & consultancy support, student experience and wellbeing, governance, and internationalisation.
As a member of the University’s Senior Management Group, Lesley contributes to shaping institutional strategy, driving efficiency, and supporting long-term growth. Her leadership approach is people-centred and strategically focused, underpinned by principles of LEAN transformation and continuous improvement.
Throughout her career, Lesley has successfully led large-scale change programmes, digital transformation projects, and cross-university initiatives, with a proven track record in financial stewardship, business planning, and stakeholder engagement. She is passionate about the transformative power of education and its ability to build inclusive, civic-minded, and globally connected communities.
As a Trustee of the University of Lincoln Academy Trust, Lesley brings strategic insight, operational expertise, and a strong commitment to supporting schools and learners across the region to achieve their full potential.
Dr Edward Libbey Dr Edward Libbey
(Vice Chair of Trust and Chair of the Audit & Risk Committee) (Whistleblowing Trustee)
Edward grew up in King’s Lynn and after graduating from Cambridge University with both a BA and PhD in Chemistry started a business career in BP. He managed large and complex refining, supply and distribution and commercial trading activities across the USA and Europe. Subsequently he ran the North American activities of the small high-tech company Whatman, based in Boston, Massachusetts. Whilst there he helped set up and chaired World Energy Solutions, an on-line auction platform providing award-winning procurement capabilities for large gas and electricity contracts. He remains active in his consulting activities in the energy sector.
On his return to the UK he developed a diverse portfolio career including the Chair of Norfolk Learning and Skills Council, and latterly the Chair of the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in King’s Lynn. He has had a long-term commitment to the improvement of education and skills especially in more disadvantaged areas and is familiar with the challenges in South Lincolnshire.
He has lived and worked abroad in the USA and Canada as well as in Belgium and the Netherlands.
Sean Kelly 
Sean Kelly
Sean Kelly is Chief Executive Officer of Raleigh Education Trust, a growing multi-academy trust operating across nine school sites and encompassing mainstream primary, specialist education and alternative provision. The Trust also provides strategic oversight of a network of 33 independent alternative provision settings. Sean joined Raleigh in 2018 as Director of Education and became Chief Executive Officer in 2019. He also serves as Interim Chief Executive Officer of a trust comprising six primary and secondary schools in the Yorkshire and Humber region.
Sean began his career as a teacher and has extensive leadership experience within secondary education. He progressed through a range of roles, from SENDCO to senior leadership and headship, before moving into trust-wide executive leadership. Throughout his career, he has maintained a particular commitment to improving education and life chances for children and young people with special educational needs, disabilities and complex needs.
As a Chief Executive Officer, Sean has led educational improvement, organisational development and responsible growth across diverse school settings. He has overseen the strengthening of schools, the expansion of specialist and alternative provision, and the development of partnerships with schools, local authorities and other organisations across the East Midlands and Yorkshire and Humber.
Sean holds a master’s degree in special educational needs, with a focus on social, emotional and mental health needs, and the National Professional Qualification for Executive Leadership. He is also a School Inspector, accredited to inspect all phases and types of education, including primary, secondary, special and alternative provision. Sean is currently the Chair of the Nottingham City Education Partnership Board and previously held DfE Advisory Board Member roles.
As a Trustee of the University of Lincoln Academy Trust, Sean brings extensive experience of strategic leadership, school improvement, trust governance and organisational growth. He is passionate about inclusive education and ensuring that every child, regardless of background or need, has the opportunity to belong, achieve and thrive.
William Naylor William Naylor
Will Naylor is a Group Reward Manager with Bakkavor, the leading fresh-prepared food provider in the UK.
Will has over 20 years of experience of working within HR in the chilled-food sector, the last 15 years with Bakkavor working across a number of business units in South Lincolnshire. Whilst being a recognised HR professional, Will has built a strong commercial and operational knowledge that supports effective HR business partnering.
As both a former pupil of Holbeach County Junior School, now part of the Trust as Holbeach Primary Academy, and also having graduated from the University of Lincoln with a master’s degree (MSc HRM) in 2002, he is also proud of his ‘alumni’ status and educational links to the organisation.
Will is a member of the Food Committee of the Greater Lincolnshire LEP and is always keen to promote the significant career opportunities that lie within the agri-food sector right on our doorstep in Lincolnshire.
Iain Waite 
Iain Waite
(Chair – Finance and General Purposes Committee)
Iain Waite is Head of Financial Operations at the University of Lincoln and has worked at the University since 2000. In his current role, he leads the Accounts Payable, Accounts Receivable, Treasury and Credit Control functions, having overseen their consolidation into a single Financial Operations team. He has embedded improvements in efficiency, compliance and service quality, and has played a central role in preparing the University for forthcoming changes in higher education financial reporting, as well as supporting major institutional initiatives including estates redevelopment, systems transformation, and strategic investment planning.
With a strong background in financial management, process improvement and team leadership, Iain is committed to developing high-performing teams that deliver both operational excellence and strategic insight.
Iain is married with three children, one of whom is currently studying at the University of Lincoln, giving him both a professional and personal connection to the University community.
Dr Alison Smith Dr Alison Smith
Dr Alison Smith is currently a Senior Lecturer in the School of Humanities, Education and Communication at the University of Lincoln, teaching and leading on the UG Education degrees and PGCE Primary programmes.
Prior to this, Alison taught and led in schools for seventeen years, predominantly in Early Years and Key Stage 1 education. Her leadership roles, particularly as a Headteacher, focused on school improvement, where she led strategically and developed successful teams and school communities.
Alison’s PhD study focuses on KS1 education, policy and child development, with a methodological approach that centres on providing practical knowledge, understanding and guidance to support teachers and leaders in schools.
Her passion has always been enhancing student experience, engagement and outcomes through an inspiring, cohesive learning community, with students always central to this philosophy.