Director Business Interests:
- Register of Business Interests 2024-2025
- Register of Business Interests 2023-2024
- Register of Business Interests 2022-2023
Bev is CEO of Legra Academy Trust and Principal at Belfairs Academy.
Strength and resilience run through the very fabric of all of the academies within our Trust. We are a great team who encourage each other to always achieve excellence.
'Whatever it takes' is our mantra so that all our young people succeed, even when sometimes they do not realise they want to! Our energy is always at optimum levels due to the teams that we have built. Sharing of knowledge, expertise and strategy ensure that impact is made in whatever we address.
Our love of learning ensures we never stand still and we never accept mediocrity. Our young people, staff and governors all grow and develop with resilience and enthusiasm.
Do come along to our academies where we would enjoy discussing our vision with you.
Kathy Herlock has lived in Essex for over 35 years. She has a wealth of educational experience from working in a range of schools over 40 years and has a master's degree in Educational Studies. She is currently an independent education consultant, working closely with school leaders and governing bodies. She is also a member of Billericay Town Council. Kathy is married and has two children and a grandchild who all live overseas. She loves to travel and is a member of Rotary International, being an active fundraiser for local and overseas charity projects.
Adam is currently Mayor's Officer & Macebearer to the Mayor of the Borough of Southend-on-Sea.
Adam is also a Magistrate on the South Essex Bench covering Southend & Basildon Magistrates Courts.
Prior to moving to Southend in 2012 Adam was a British Army Musician in the Corps of Army for 24 years travelling extensively throughout Europe.
Adam is now proud to call Southend-on-Sea his home.
Councillor Fay Evans, former Mayor, is a well-respected member of the community and continues to have strong links with the Local Authority.
Cllr Evans believes that children are our future and education is so important. She is passionate that our children should not only be educated academically, but be prepared to adapt to all situations that could be thrown at them in the future.
Janet has worked in the secondary sector of education for 40 years. She began her career as a linguist, was involved as a teacher trainer and over the past 20 years has worked as a successful senior manager in a variety of schools in Essex and elsewhere. As a headteacher she brought her experience to schools and communities where a fresh approach was required.
Essentially a pragmatist, she understands the needs of the community around the school and she is committed to creating a quality service for students and their parents.
Janet is also clear about providing a positive professional development environment for staff, to allow them to progress in their careers. Creating a vibrant, innovative and inclusive learning context is something she believes in very strongly and she can evidence from experience that this success strengthens communities and raises both expectations and outcomes. She believes that the ethos of the Legra Trust demonstrates the same values.
Nigel Holdcroft is a solicitor and partner in the firm of Tolhurst Fisher where he heads the Litigation & Matrimonial Department. He lives in Leigh and is married with 2 daughters in their twenties.
He spent 14 years as a Southend Borough Councillor representing West Leigh - the ward in which the School is located. From 2007 to 2014 he was Leader of the Council during which time the Town won the prestigious "Council of the Year" award, and he played an important role in encouraging practical and financial support from the Council to the School during its redevelopment.
Nigel has always had an interest in education and was previously Chairman of Governors at a local junior school and at a local infant and nursery school. He is currently President of Southend West Conservative Association.
Born in Westcliff on Sea, I attended Chalkwell Junior School and Belfairs High School. Belfairs set me up for a successful career as a solicitor practising locally for 25 years. In addition to my work as a lawyer I developed an internet marketing business employing people from the local community and beyond.
I currently work as a Consultant to schools helping them convert to an academy. I have sat on a number of Interim Executive Boards working with schools in need of improvement.
In my free time I support Southend United and volunteer at Tate Modern. I also work with a charity helping people in court who do not have legal representation. I live in Chalkwell and have two grown up sons.
Chris has been a member of Legra Academy Trust since its launch. He formerly served as a governor at Belfairs Academy and currently serves as a governor for Darlinghurst Academy.
He is a journalist and newspaper editor, overseeing a portfolio of titles including the Echo, the daily paper for south Essex. He also oversees training of journalists. Chris serves as a trustee of Southend Hospital Charitable Foundation, a director of Cory Environmental Trust in Southend and an independent observer at Southend Business Improvement District.
He takes great pride in the academies which form part of Legra Academy Trust and is committed to ensure every child gets the best start in life.
John Harland has lived in Southend for over 30 years. He was once a professional actor and trained at the Webber Douglas Academy of Dramatic Art in Kensington. He worked as an actor throughout the UK and Europe.
Originally, from London, he has now been associated with the Casino Industry for over 40 years. He started working for Genting Casino Westcliff in 1986, where he is Public Relations & Marketing Manager.
John has been teaching drama at La Danse Fantastique (Able Bodied & Special Needs Dance School), since 2013. John is also a Councillor for West Shoebury, having been elected in 2022, as well as being a Trustee of the Southend Hospital Charitable Foundation, Aspirations Charity and St Edmunds Hall. Finally, John is Chairman of the Southend Mayoral Events Committee.