A Cross-Sector Board Working for Bradford’s Children
EALC is guided by a Partnership Board made up of senior leaders from education, health, local government, policing, the voluntary sector, research institutions and community organisations. Together, we shape the direction, priorities and long-term strategy of the alliance.
This unique structure ensures that Bradford’s children are supported by a truly joined-up system – with collaboration built into the heart of how decisions are made.
Our Partnership Board’s Role
The Board provides:
- Strategic oversight of EALC’s work
- Cross-sector collaboration on shared goals
- Accountability and transparency in governance
- Influence and advocacy for system-wide change
The Board is co-chaired by:
Mat Mathai – Consultant Paediatrician, Bradford Royal Infirmary
Duncan Jacques – CEO, Exceed Academies Trust
Our People
Our members represent a wide range of organisations across the Bradford District, including:
- Multi-Academy Trusts
- NHS and Public Health
- Local Authority and Children’s Services
- Voluntary and Community Sector
- Academic and Research Institutions
- Youth Services and Family Hubs
- Local Schools and Community Leaders
The EALC Partnership Board
The EALC Partnership Board brings together a wide range of perspectives from across Bradford’s public and voluntary sectors. With lived experience, strategic insight and local knowledge, members work collectively to guide our programmes and hold us accountable to our mission.
Their collaboration ensures our work is rooted in real-world challenges, aligned with shared priorities and shaped by those closest to the issues that matter most.
Meet the Members of the EALC Partnership Board
| Name | Role / Organisation |
|---|---|
| Mat Mathai | Co-Chair; Consultant Paediatrician, Bradford Royal Infirmary |
| Duncan Jacques | Co-Chair; CEO, Exceed Academies Trust |
| Carol Dewhurst | CEO, BDAT |
| James Clarke | Head of Safeguarding, BDAT |
| Craig Dillon | Regional Director / Executive Principal, Star Academies |
| Shirley Watson | CEO, Beckfoot Trust |
| Jim Lauder | Assistant Principal, Dixons Academies Trust |
| John Devlin | Chair, Keighley Communities Together |
| Suzanne Carter | Chair, Bradford Schools in Partnership |
| Lyndsey Brown | Chair, Bradford District Achievement Partnership |
| Jules Millar | Principal, Oasis Academy Lister Park |
| Linda Wright | LA Maintained Primary School Rep |
| Christian Bunting | Bradford Birth to 19 / EY Stronger Practice Hub |
| Professor Mark Mon-Williams | Bradford Teaching Hospitals Foundation Trust |
| TBC | University of Bradford |
| Dr Ruby Bhatti OBE | Community Member, NLG, Trustee |
| Lauren Batty | CEO, OutLoud (Holme Wood) |
| Lisa Stead | Bradford NHS Foundation Trust |
| Gill Thornton | CEO, Better Start Bradford |
| Will Richardson | Chair, Economic & Skills Board |
| Richard Padwell | West Yorkshire Police |
| Nagina Javaid | Programme Director, Bradford District & Craven Health & Care Partnership |
| Sasha Bhat | Deputy Director for Integration and Transformation, Bradford District Care Trust |
| Dawn Lee | Head of Community Children’s Services, Bradford District Care Trust |
| Richard Crane | Deputy Director Education, Bradford Council |
| Fiona Phillips | Director, Health Determinants Research Collaborative |
| Vicky Gabriel | Assistant Director Early Help & Transformation, Bradford Children & Families Trust |
| Jimmy Hinton | Anglican Diocese |
| Maryam Kapree | Dixons Trinity Alumna |
| Karine Hendley | Regional Director – West Yorkshire, Co-op Academies Trust |
| Rimah Aasim | Executive Headteacher, Co-op Academy Princeville |
| Jamie Gutch | Deputy Headteacher: Post-16 & Personal Development, Ilkley Grammar School |
| Lady Lynne Morrison | Bradford Grammar School |
| Jo Howes | Reducing Inequalities Alliance |
| Hamzah Kahn | Bradford Council for Mosques |
| Nina Mirza | Born in Bradford |
| Mathew Atkinson | CEO, Priestley Academy Trust |
| Mel Saville | Executive Principal, Bradford Academy |