CENTRAL Team

We are a thriving and growing Multi Academy Trust with a team of professionals who are dedicated to ensuring we provide centres of educational excellence for all.

Nicola Hyde-Boughey
Executive Headteacher 

Nicki describes her greatest responsibility as providing the best possible educational experience for all pupils across Chrysalis Multi Academy Trust in order for them to meet their full potential.

Nicki started work in the education sector in 1999 and has since gained prestigious qualifications, including a MA in Educational Leadership, the National Professional Qualification for Headteachers and Executive Leaders and an ILM Level 7 qualification in Coaching. She was an Advanced Skills Teacher for Brent Local Authority for a number of years and has a strong reputation for driving standards in teaching and learning, working to develop staff talent within schools and leading on curriculum innovation. She is also a Senior Partner for the national network, Challenge Partners, leading the Chrysalis Hub which is currently supporting over 15,000 pupils across Brent, Harrow and Hillingdon.

She joined Claremont High School in 2001 and has been Headteacher for the last nine years and Executive Headteacher for Chrysalis MAT for the last six years.

Nicki is proud of the relentless drive Chrysalis MAT has for school improvement, driving pupil outcomes and trying to reduce educational inequality to improve the life chances of all pupils. Alongside this focus, the Trust is committed to a mantra of ‘growing our own talent’, developing staff and supporting their career progression through a highly effective and constantly evolving CPD programme as well as a range of initiatives, qualifications, programmes and partnerships.

The staff across the Trust are fantastic and give so much to support our vision and provide the best possible opportunities for our pupils. Over the coming years, I would like to see other similar-minded schools join and enrich our Chrysalis family, benefitting from the support we can offer and working collaboratively to achieve not just our vision but their vision too.

KAMINI MISTRY
HEADTEACHER & CHRYSALIS POLICY LEAD

Kamini has worked in the education sector since 1999, bringing extensive experience in teaching and school leadership to her role within Chrysalis Multi-Academy Trust. As Headteacher at Sudbury Primary School, she is committed to driving excellence in teaching and learning while fostering an inclusive and supportive environment for pupils and staff.

In addition to her leadership responsibilities, Kamini plays a key role in shaping and maintaining policies across the Trust. She ensures that all policies are compliant, clear, and aligned with best practice, supporting consistency and high standards across all schools within the Chrysalis MAT. Her work helps create a strong framework for governance, safeguarding, and operational effectiveness.

Leading the development, review, and implementation of Trust-wide policies underpins our commitment to excellence, consistency, and compliance across all our schools. The policies reflect our shared vision and values — Excellence, Responsibility, Respect, Aspiration, and Perseverance — while also meeting statutory and regulatory requirements.

Sally Newing
HEADTEACHER

Sally Newing is the Headteacher of The Mount Stewart Schools Federation and has worked in education since 2001. Having joined Mount Stewart in 2018, Sally has played a pivotal role in the school's continued success and has led the Federation as Headteacher with a clear vision of Empowering Excellence, Inspiring Leaders. Under her leadership, both the Infant and Junior Schools have been judged Good by Ofsted, while the Federation has secured a range of external accolades, including the HFL Education Early Years Quality Standards (EYQS) Gold Award and Rights Respecting Schools Gold Accreditation.

Sally has a particular passion for Early Years education and is the strategic lead for the Mount Stewart Early Years Stronger Practice Hub, one of the Department for Education's designated Stronger Practice Hubs. Working across Greater London, the Hub supports schools, nurseries and childminders in Brent, Harrow, Hammersmith & Fulham and Wandsworth & Merton to improve outcomes for young children through evidence-informed practice collaboration and high-quality professional development. Sally is committed to ensuring every child has the strongest possible start to their education and is an active member of both the Brent Early Years Steering Group and the Brent SEND Steering Group, helping to shape local educational priorities and provision.

Alongside her headship, Sally is deeply committed to developing leaders at every stage of their career. She is an ILM Level 7 Executive Coach and holds the National Professional Qualification for Executive Leadership (NPQEL). She coaches and mentors school leaders, facilitates professional learning programmes and has extensive experience supporting leadership development across the education sector.

Sally also facilitates Challenge Partners school reviews, supporting school improvement through peer evaluation and professional collaboration. In partnership with the West London Teaching School Hub and Ambition Institute, she facilitates the Early Career Teacher Programme (ECTP) and mentor development programmes, supporting teachers and mentors in developing their professional practice.

Beyond Mount Stewart, Sally contributes to educational improvement across London through several strategic leadership roles. She is a Director of the Brent Schools Partnership, leads the Wembley Headteachers' Cluster and works collaboratively with colleagues across schools, local authorities and trusts to improve educational outcomes and share best practice.

As a leader within the Chrysalis Multi-Academy Trust, Sally is passionate about collaboration, innovation and developing exceptional educators. She believes that investing in people, championing evidence-informed practice and building strong partnerships are fundamental to creating outstanding schools where every child can flourish and achieve their full potential.

Mount Stewart is a vibrant, inclusive and ambitious school community where we are committed to empowering excellence and inspiring leaders. Joining Chrysalis MAT has enabled us to retain the identity and strengths of Mount Stewart while benefiting from greater collaboration, shared expertise and opportunities across the Trust. We are ex-cited about what we can achieve together for our children, staff and wider community.

Adam Reid
Chief FINANCIAL & OPERATIONS Officer

Adam has a wealth of knowledge and experience in the finance industry. Having gained a Bachelor of Science Honours in Accounting & Finance from the University of Birmingham and subsequently becoming a fully qualified Certified Chartered Accountant in November 2010, he fulfilled successful careers as a Group Accountant in the corporate sector and a Finance Consultant working in academies.

The professional support he was able to offer academy leaders whilst working as a consultant attracted Adam to the role of Chief Financial Officer. The next stages of his career saw him working as CFO for an Outstanding academy that formed a Multi Academy Trust and grew from one to four schools; and for a 20-school Multi Academy Trust which gave him a greater grasp of controls, processes and due diligence on a much larger scale.  After this he relocated from the Midlands to his current role at Chrysalis Multi Academy Trust and is now in his second decade as a CFO in the academies sector.

Chrysalis MAT’s vision of improving the life chances of all pupils irrespective of their background or ability appealed to Adam. This is a fundamental drive for him in his role as CFO.

Providing timely and accurate financial information to school leaders so that well-informed decisions can be made and obtaining value for money across all areas of expenditure so the funding goes as far as it possibly can, is of paramount importance to providing the best educational experience we can for our pupils.

HELEN VARLESE
Head of Human Resources

Her career includes extensive education consultancy work, partnering with senior leaders across a wide range of schools and multi academy trusts. She also brings valuable experience from a previous role as the Head of HR for a 13-school MAT. With expertise spanning organisational development, employee relations and change, Helen has built a strong reputation for offering credible advice, approaching challenges with sound judgement and finding practical solutions. She believes that high standards are best achieved through trusted relationships, shared responsibility and genuine respect for the people doing the work.

Helen was drawn to Chrysalis by its ambition to close the disadvantage gap and improve the life chances of every pupil, alongside its leaders’ clear commitment to ensuring that every member of staff feels valued and celebrated. She is passionate about helping to create an inclusive and aspirational culture in which colleagues are supported to grow, learn and make their fullest contribution.

For me, great HR is not simply about processes; it is about creating the right conditions for schools to succeed through their people. That means supporting leaders and managers to build a culture in which staff are genuinely valued, trusted and empowered not just in words, but through everyday decisions and actions. When colleagues have clear expectations, practical support and the confidence to do their best work, they can make the greatest possible difference to pupils and their outcomes.

NEIL MAROO
Head of IT

Neil is an experienced IT professional who is a Microsoft certified engineer with over twenty-five years’ industry experience. Coming from corporate IT, he was a Technical Consultant with Hewlett Packard Enterprise and has a wealth of experience in IT and project management.

In 2018, Neil started work on a project at The Harrow Academies Trust to establish the IT at a newly-created secondary school in Pinner, working with the Department of Education and Trust leaders to deliver new IT infrastructure and teaching spaces in a multi-million pound refurbishment programme.

Neil joined Chrysalis Multi-Academy Trust in 2023 to unify IT across the MAT, overseeing a diverse portfolio, including network security, device management and digital learning platforms. His leadership has been instrumental in modernising classrooms, expanding digital equity and preparing students for a tech-driven future.

Being a Head of IT at Chrysalis MAT is a dynamic and impactful role because it sits at the intersection of education, innovation, and community service. You shape the digital future of education in your MAT, influencing how thousands of students learn and grow working with educators, administrators, and vendors to create meaningful change.  You get to explore and implement cutting-edge technologies that improve teaching and learning. You guide teams, manage large-scale projects, and set the vision for tech integration across schools. 

NISHA VAJA
FINANCE MANAGER

Nisha started work for Chrysalis MAT in 2022 and brings nearly a decade’s worth of experience in school finance. She began her career working in the finance team at a primary school in Harrow before joining the Trust, where she has continued to develop her expertise and take on increasing responsibility.

In her role, Nisha oversees key financial processes, supports effective budget management and works closely with school leaders to ensure the Trust's financial operations are efficient, compliant and aligned with its strategic objectives. She is known for her approachable manner, meticulous attention to detail and collaborative approach, building strong relationships with colleagues across the Trust.

Nisha is passionate about using her financial expertise to support high-quality education and is proud to play a role in helping schools provide the best possible outcomes for pupils and staff.

SOPHIE Davis
HR ADMINISTRATOR

Sophie is in the early stages of her HR career and is currently gaining valuable experience within Chrysalis Multi Academy Trust. Her role focuses on supporting key HR functions such as recruitment administration, compliance, and HR operations, including providing administrative support during employee relations processes such as note-taking and documentation.

Passionate about developing her skills, Sophie is committed to progressing through the CIPD framework. With a proactive mindset, strong work ethic, and a genuine interest in fostering a positive workplace culture, she is well-positioned to grow into a confident and capable HR professional.

VIKESH WAGjiani
HEALTH & SAFETY LEAD

Vikesh is the Trust Health & Safety Lead for Chrysalis Multi Academy Trust. He works closely with senior leaders, Governors, Trustees and site teams to ensure the Trust maintains safe, compliant and supportive environments for pupils, staff and visitors. His responsibilities include health and safety compliance, emergency planning, fire safety, risk management, audits, training and the development of consistent health and safety systems across the Trust. He has completed the NEBOSH General Certificate in Occupational Health and Safety.

At Chrysalis MAT, we want every pupil and member of staff to learn and work in environments where safety, wellbeing and care are at the heart of everything we do. By working together across our schools, we can build a culture where everyone feels supported, valued and able to achieve their full potential.

ALEX LIPMAN
DIRECTOR OF CHRYSALIS SCITT

Alex is the Director of Chrysalis SCITT, leading the design and delivery of teacher training across the Trust. He started work at Claremont High School in 2012 and has since held a wide range of leadership positions, including Pastoral Leader, Senior Subject Leader, Head of Department and Senior Leader. He has worked extensively in initial teacher training, mentoring student teachers, coordinating placements, and supporting trainees on PGCE, SCITT and ECT pathways.

In September 2025, Alex established the Chrysalis SCITT, which continues to recruit and train teachers across both the secondary and primary sector. He has completed NPQML and NPQSL qualifications, is a Challenge Partners quality assurance reviewer, and is accredited to deliver a range of OLEVI education programmes. As a qualified Mental Health First Aider (Adults), he is also committed to supporting the wellbeing of all trainees.

Alex is passionate about developing and nurturing our own talent, ensuring every trainee develops the skills, confidence and professional support to thrive in the classroom.

Every trainee has the potential to become an exceptional teacher. The greatest reward is seeing them grow into professionals who inspire young people every day.

LEIGH BEAUCHAMP
Lead for Trust-Wide Coaching

Leigh has worked in the education sector since 1996 and brings a deep understanding of school improvement, professional learning and system leadership. She is an ILM Level 7 certified Executive Coach and spent a number of years as an Advanced Skills Teacher for the London Borough of Hillingdon, supporting schools to strengthen classroom practice and develop staff expertise. Leigh has also delivered NPQSL training for Brent and has been invited to present at a range of London-wide teaching conferences, particularly in recognition of the outstanding outcomes achieved during her time as Head of English. Across her career, she has developed a strong reputation for combining high expectations with relational leadership, ensuring that improvement is both sustainable and people-centred. 

At Chrysalis MAT, Leigh oversees professional development and leadership coaching across the Trust, an area that has been formally recognised as a strength and area of excellence by Challenge Partners. Her vision is rooted in the belief that great schools are built through great people. She is passionate about growing talent from within, creating inclusive leadership pathways, and ensuring that coaching and professional learning are bespoke, evidence-informed and aligned to the lived realities of schools. Leigh’s work is underpinned by the values of equity, integrity, collaboration and continuous improvement, closely aligned with Chrysalis MAT’s mission to reduce educational inequality and improve life chances for every pupil. Through a relentless focus on staff development and coaching excellence, Leigh is committed to helping Chrysalis become a sector leader in professional learning and leadership development. 

ALICE TOFT
CHRYSALIS CHALLENGE PARTNERS HUB MANAGER

Alice is Deputy Headteacher at Claremont High School, where she leads on Inclusion and is a trained reviewer for the Inclusion Quality Mark (IQM). She also provides strategic oversight of inclusion across Chrysalis Multi Academy Trust, leading the Trust's inclusion strategy to ensure every child has equitable access to high-quality education and support. In this role, she chairs the MAT Inclusion Board, working collaboratively with school leaders to monitor and evaluate progress against key Trust-wide inclusion priorities, including attendance, behaviour, belonging, adaptive teaching, and outcomes for vulnerable learners. 

Since 2017, Alice has also served as Hub Manager for the Chrysalis Challenge Partners Hub, overseeing the growth of the network from five to nineteen schools across both primary and secondary phases. She organises and facilitates strategic partnerships across the Hub, sets priorities, manages the budget, and coordinates professional development and collaborative hub meetings. She is passionate about building strong professional relationships and creating opportunities for schools to learn from one another, believing that collaboration is one of the most powerful drivers of sustainable school improvement.

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