Our Executive Leadership Team

Antony Hughes, Chief Executive Officer

Antony's role as the Chief Executive is to work closely with his Executive Leadership Team (ELT) and Board of Trustees to provide outstanding strategic leadership for The Harmony Trust ensuring continuing success and sustainability in our Academies. Antony is accountable for ensuring high standards of education for all children in the Trust's academies and that staff are well supported in meeting that aim through Harmony's Great Place2Work strategy.

Antony has been CEO for the last six years and overseen a successful expansion of the Trust and continued improvements in children's achievement and academy performance.  Prior to joining Harmony, Antony spent his entire career in education and children's services, holding senior executive positions in national and local government.  Antony is passionate about all our children experiencing their education at a Great Place2Learn and parents being our key partners in learning.

Jessica Hainsworth, Director of Education

The role of the Director of Education is to support the CEO and Board of Trustees in achieving their ambition for all Harmony Academies to be GreatPlaces2Learn and GreatPlaces2Work. Jessica advises on the education aspects of our strategic plan, facilitates and develops policy and trust wide frameworks, supports the academy improvement cycle and is integral to the evaluation, support and challenge that is offered to all Harmony Academies. 

Jessica began her teaching career in the Early Years Foundation stage after achieving BSc Hons in Maths with QTS. She has taught across the primary age phase and has always been committed to improving outcomes for children living in challenging circumstances and disadvantaged communities. In September 2013, she took up post of Headteacher at Richmond Primary School quickly improving outcomes for all pupils through school improvement. 

Key Achievements with Harmony: 

- As Principal led and developed the Richmond Academy team to take the academy from Special Measures to Good 

- Opened Northmoor Academy as Executive Principal in September 2016 developing specialist provision for EAL and INA pupils 

- Supported and mentored new Headteachers and Principals across Oldham and Derby

- Led successful borough wide initiatives including SSIF funded ‘Improving Outcomes for EAL Pupils’ and a number of CPD commissions through the DFE Opportunity Area including SEND, Reading, EYFS and Newly Arrived Pupils 

Sarah Taylor, Assistant Director of Education

As Assistant Director of Education, Sarah leads the Learning Matters element of the Great Place 2 Learn Strategy; developing a high quality, evidence informed Trust-wide CPD offer which enhances skills and expertise across the organisation.  She has also led on the development of the Harmony Model Curriculum Framework and supports its efffective implementation across each academy.  

Sarah began her teaching career at what is now Greenhill Academy 20 years ago and has since taught in four of our Harmony Academies.  During this time, she has held a variety of leadership roles at an operational and strategic level to ensure Harmony pupils receive the highest possible quality of education and staff are confident and professionally developed.  She continues to support teaching assistants,  teachers and leaders at all levels through coaching, mentoring and hands-on guidance.

Sharon Costello, Chief Financial Officer

The Chief Financial Officer has responsibility for all aspects of Trust Finance. Delivering operational rigour and strategic direction, Sharon plays an integral role in supporting the growth and development of The Harmony Trust whilst ensuring financial viability and regulatory compliance.

Sharon is a fully qualified accountant (ACMA) with over 30 years’ experience working within the public sector and not-for-profit business environments. She has been a strategic finance leader/finance director for the past 20 years and has extensive knowledge and experience in facilitating, managing and delivering business change as well as excellent leadership and relationship-building skills. A key priority for Sharon is working within a values-based organisation that delivers high outcomes for the children, staff and communities that are supported by Harmony Trust.

Tracey Mellor, Assistant Director - Operations

The role of Assistant Director of Operations ensures the effective and efficient strategic and day to day management of HR, ICT and Business & Administration services across all the Trust's academies & infrastructure. The role leads on key strategies such as Great Place 2 Work and works with all senior leaders to provide an environment that engages, values, and invests in their staff. The role manages the delivery of ICT infrastructure / hardware and the use and investment of technology to support the delivery of operational practice. Tracey also manages the Business and Administration Service to ensure the smooth & effective operation of each academy and central services on a day to day basis. 

Tracey has worked within the public sector, in middle & senior management roles covering topics such as Finance, People & Data for 30+ years, firstly in the Local Authority before moving to the education sector in 2013. She can bring & utilise her knowledge, skills, and experience to ensure that our staff, pupils, and communities receive services that are supportive, forward thinking and meet their needs. 

Wendy May, Assistant Director - Safeguarding, Estates & Compliance

The role of Assistant Director for Safeguarding, Estates and Compliance delivers the key strategic aspects & objectives relating to Safeguarding, Health and Safety, Compliance, Data Protection and Estates. The role supports and advises on all aspects of Safeguarding and Health & Safety and oversees the Estates Management Strategy. The role ensures high quality management of Safeguarding and Health & Safety and oversees the effective management of each academy’s building. The role liaises closely with the Data Protection Officer to ensure the Trust is meeting our obligations relating to data management.

Wendy has worked in education throughout her career. She qualified as a teacher after achieving a MA (Oxon) in Experimental Psychology. She has taught across the primary age phase and has worked in a range of leadership roles including as Deputy Head teacher, SENCO, Designated Safeguarding Lead and Trust Safeguarding lead. Wendy has specialised in Health and Safety Management and holds the NEBOSH General Certificate in Occupational Health and Safety. She can bring her knowledge of education, leadership and that of Health and Safety to support schools in ensuring their pupils are safeguarded effectively and the academy environment supports learning.