Outgoing chief executive praises partnership-working at Trust

The outgoing chief executive of Sigma Trust has described the privilege of leading the North Essex-based multi-academy trust.

Lyn Wright is retiring after six years at the helm of the trust, which has 12 primary and secondary schools in Colchester, Clacton, Brightlingsea and Harwich.

Lyn said: “I believe the Trust is in a strong and mature position of strength and it seems the right time for someone to take it on to the next stage of its journey.

“I’m leaving with our schools in a healthy position with a good close working relationship with their stakeholders and communities.

“I feel privileged to have worked with such strong leaders and staff, both within the Trust and our schools, and the Trust board - and this collaboration has played a big part in our success.

“When everyone is pulling together, we can make a real difference to the lives of our young people.”

While starting as CEO of Sigma Trust at the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic, Lyn said she was proud of the work which has been achieved over the last few years.

She said: “I always felt the vision and values of the Trust were aligned with my own. At the centre of Sigma Trust has always been the belief of no child being left behind.

“We are instrumental in providing the best opportunities we can for our young people and this echoed with my own moral compass.”

The new CEO of Sigma Trust will be Fiona Pierson, who moves from her role as Executive Headteacher of Paxman Academy and St Helena School, both of whom are part of the Trust.

Having spent more than 40 years in education, Lyn said: “As we are preparing for a new academic year, it is a strange feeling not to be planning for the months ahead and I will definitely miss all the staff and schools.

“But I would like to wish Fiona all the very best in her new role. The appointment is a great example of succession planning following a robust interview process.

“She will also be surrounded, as I was, by talented and experienced colleagues who are all driven by Sigma Trust’s visions and values.”