Governance and Trustees

Find out how ACE Learning is governed, how decisions are made and how our Members and Trustees provide oversight and accountability across the Trust.

How our Trust is governed

ACE Learning is a multi-academy trust responsible for Furley Park Primary Academy and Hamstreet Primary Academy. The Trust is a charitable company limited by guarantee.

Our governance arrangements provide oversight of the Trust’s educational performance, financial management and strategic direction. Responsibilities are shared between Members, the Board of Trustees, Trust leadership and local governance arrangements.

Members

Members have an overarching role in safeguarding the Trust’s governance and ensuring that its charitable purpose is upheld. They appoint Trustees in accordance with the Trust’s Articles of Association.

Board of Trustees

Trustees are responsible for the Trust’s strategic direction, accountability, financial oversight and compliance with its legal responsibilities.

Executive Leadership

The executive leadership team is responsible for the operational leadership and management of the Trust, within the authority delegated by the Board of Trustees. The named leadership team is set out below.

Local Advisory Boards

Local Advisory Boards support governance at academy level and provide local scrutiny, engagement and accountability within their delegated responsibilities.

Executive Leadership & Trust Support

Our Executive Team leads the strategic and operational development of ACE Learning, working with Trustees, school leaders and Trust colleagues to deliver our shared priorities. Together, our leadership and support teams help our academies provide the best possible education and opportunities for every child.

Executive Team

The Executive Team provides the Trust’s central executive leadership and is accountable to the Board of Trustees through its agreed governance arrangements.

Joanna Ronayne

Chief Executive Officer (CEO)

Joanna provides overall strategic and educational leadership for ACE Learning. Working closely with the Board of Trustees, she leads the delivery of the Trust’s vision, values and strategic priorities.

Her responsibilities include overseeing educational standards and school improvement, supporting and challenging academy leaders, developing the Trust’s organisational capacity and ensuring effective accountability across the Trust.

She leads the Trust’s continued development, ensuring that decisions remain focused on the needs, wellbeing and success of children and their communities.

Xanthia Ash

Interim Chief Financial Officer (CFO)

Xanthia provides financial leadership across ACE Learning, supporting the responsible and effective management of the Trust’s resources.

Her responsibilities include financial planning and budgeting, financial reporting, oversight of financial controls and supporting compliance with the Trust’s financial and regulatory obligations.

Working with the CEO, school leaders and Trustees, she helps ensure that financial decisions support the Trust’s educational priorities and long-term sustainability.

Executive Plus Team

Our Executive Plus Team brings together the Executive Team with our academy Headteachers and Trust Digital Lead. The group works collaboratively on Trust-wide priorities, school improvement, operational planning and organisational development.

Russell Marsh

Trust Digital Lead

Leading digital strategy, technology and systems across the Trust.

Team membership: The Executive Plus Team also includes Joanna Ronayne (CEO) and Xanthia Ash (Interim CFO), whose roles are described above.

Trust Support Team

Our central support colleagues provide specialist financial and human resources support, helping our academies work effectively and consistently.

Skye Yildiz

Trust Finance Officer

Lorraine Cowup

HR Manager

Governance records and documents

The documents below provide information about the Trust’s governance arrangements, appointments, declarations of interests and meeting attendance. Reporting periods are shown to help identify the relevant records.

Scheme of Delegation and Governance

Sets out the responsibilities and decision-making arrangements between Members, Trustees, executive leaders and Local Advisory Boards.

View Scheme of Delegation (PDF)

Members and Trustees

Names, appointments, terms of office and recorded governance responsibilities, including previous appointments. Document updated April 2026.

View Members and Trustees record (PDF)

Trustee Meeting Attendance 2024–25

Recorded attendance at meetings of the Trust Board and Finance, Audit and Risk Committee during the 2024–25 academic year.

View Trustee Meeting Attendance (PDF)

Keeping our information up to date

We are reviewing and updating our published governance records. Documents are identified by their reporting periods, and updated versions will be made available as they are confirmed.

For enquiries about Trust governance or to request further information, please contact enquiries@ace-learning.org.uk .