The Board of Nicholas Postgate Catholic Academy Trust (NPCAT) provides strategic leadership and robust governance for a family of 38 schools across Teesside and North Yorkshire, including the city of York. Together, these schools educate more than 11,700 children and young people, forming one of the largest Catholic multi-academy trusts in the country.
Our Board brings together extensive expertise from education, business, finance, the NHS, policing, human resources, adult social care and the Church. This breadth of professional and vocational experience strengthens our oversight of educational standards, safeguarding, financial stewardship and the Catholic life and mission of our schools.
Operating across the northern, central and coastal deaneries of the Diocese of Middlesbrough, the Board is committed to ensuring that every NPCAT school provides a nurturing, ambitious and faith‑filled environment where all pupils can flourish.
Mark J Dias MA, BSc (Hons), Chartered FCIPD
Chair of the Board
Whistleblowing Lead
Mark is a retired HR director who is currently Non-executive director and People Committee chair at University Hospitals Tees. He is in formation for the Permanent Diaconate within the Diocese of Middlesbrough. A former Cleveland Police officer, he was commended for standing up for equality and integrity in policing
Canon John Loughlin
Vice Chair of the Catholic Life and Standards Committee
Born in Middlesbrough, Canon John was ordained in 1984 and has more than 40 years’ experience in school chaplaincy and serving on school governing bodies. He is the former chair of St Hilda’s Multi Academy Trust.
Claire Druery BA (Hons), Chartered FCIPD
Vice Chair of the Board
Chair of the People Committee
Claire is chief people officer at Bishop Chadwick Catholic Education Trust, a 30-school multi academy trust in the Diocese of Hexham and Newcastle. She is an experienced HR professional with more than 20 years’ experience in strategic HR and leadership across public and private sectors.
Peter Hawkins
Chair of the Audit & Risk Committee
Vice Chair of the Finance & Resources Committee
Board Careers Lead
Peter is a business owner who has served on primary and secondary school governing bodies for more than 30 years, the last seven as chair for two schools. He is a former board member and chair of the Finance and Resources Committee of St Hilda’s Catholic Academy Trust and a former board member and chair of friendly society Tees Mutual.
Jacqueline Gallon BA (Hons), MAAT, ACMA, CGMA
Chair of the Finance & Resources Committee
Jacqueline is a retired chartered management accountant with extensive finance and budgeting experience in chemical, defence and fast-moving consumer goods companies.
Audrey Kirby
Chair of the Catholic Life and Standards Committee
Board Safeguarding Lead
A retired nurse, Audrey’s roles included deputy director for nursing at South Tees NHS Foundation Trust and nursing and workforce project leadership at NHS England. She is currently care and welfare officer for the Diocese of Middlesbrough.
Andrew McMillan PGDip, BA (Hons)
Board SEND Lead
Andrew is a retired senior police officer with 25 years’ service in London and the North-East. He brings experience in delivering leadership and crisis management training across government and the broader public sector, with particular expertise in the assessment and management of risk.
John Kennedy
Vice Chair of the People Committee
John is a senior leader in housing and adult social care,. His work spans operational delivery, strategic development and governance across private and notforprofit organisations. He has contributed to sector research and advisory groups, sharing insight on care quality and system reform. In his current role, he supports organisations to develop practical, compassionate and accountable approaches to social care and housing.
