The Members
As custodians of the Trust, the Members, ensure that its vision and values are reflected in all its work.
Their role is predominantly to:
- Agree and amend the Articles of Association
- Appoint and remove Members and Directors (Trustees)
- Hold the Directors to account for the discharge of their duties
There is no formal Chair. If the Members decide that a Chair is required for each meeting, one may be elected.
The Members meet twice per year with the Board of Directors and again, separately, if they need to make individual decisions. One of the Members is also a Director (Trustee).
Stella Blackmore
Member - School and Local Authority leadership and governance.
Stella Blackmore has been a Member of the Trust since its designation in 2016 and was one of the Members supporting the CEO in developing the Trust’s vision and direction. When she was both a Trustee and Create’s first Chair of the Board, she was instrumental in guiding the development of Create as a multi-academy trust and in welcoming Hodge Hill and Brookfields into the Create family.
She has enjoyed a long association with Conway and Greet, having been a Federation Governor since 2009. Prior to that she lead the Interim Executive Board (IEB) at Conway from 2008.
Stella has wide experience in many aspects of education both locally and nationally, including three deputy headships and two headships of primary schools in the north of England. She then worked for Warwickshire Local Authority where she became Chief Inspector and then Deputy County Education Officer.
She was closely involved with the development of the National College for School Leadership, developing its programme for aspiring senior staff Leading from the Middle. Following this, her work as Succession Planning Associate for NCSL in West Midlands Local Authorities led to her interest in supporting schools in Birmingham, and she is delighted to continue in this role as a Member of the Trust. She is one of two Members who undertake to interview all potential Trustees and recommend them to the Members for appointment.
Justin Gray
Member - School and Higher Education leadership
Justin Gray has been a member of the Trust since 2016. Prior to that, he worked with Greet Teaching School from its designation in 2011, supporting particularly, its initial teacher training through the partnership with Newman University. He has also been a strategic partner in the Teaching School Alliance, having shared oversight of its extended work beyond teacher training.
Justin is a Retired Headteacher with the academy trust DRB Ignite and a governor at three different schools. He has wide experience in education as a teacher, headteacher and university programme leader. He was a founder member of the Chartered College of Teaching and is a Fellow of the Higher Education Authority.
Justin also chairs Greet’s Local Advisory Board.
Mary Higgins
Member (and Trustee) - Governance in Education
Mary Higgins has been with Create since its formation in 2016 and is currently the only Member who is also a Trustee, so she plays an important role in maintaining a communications bridge between the two levels of governance. Mary is one of two Members who undertake to interview all potential Trustees and recommend them to the Members for appointment.
Mary’s experience of education, governance and HR/workforce reform are wide ranging. Further information about Mary’s background and contribution as a Trustee can be found under the Trustees section of this website.
Kate Joiner
Member - Governance Professional
With extensive experience in governance, board development, and strategy, Kate is a recognised leader in driving organisational efficiency and sustainable growth. She has a deep understanding of how effective governance structures and strategic innovation contribute to long-term success. Kate has worked with numerous organisations to assess governance strengths, identify areas for improvement, and implement strategic solutions. Her expertise includes delivering actionable plans that enhance board effectiveness, strengthen risk management, and drive organisational progress. She also designs and implements governance frameworks that promote accountability, transparency, and informed decision-making at all levels. By leveraging data-driven insights and sector-specific resources, Kate leads initiatives that align governance structures with organisational strategy and long-term vision. Her work ensures that boards remain agile, responsive to external challenges, and well-positioned to seize new opportunities. Committed to continuous professional development, Kate stays at the forefront of governance trends, strategic best practices, and emerging legislation. In her current role, Kate has established best practices, aligned governance structures with long term objectives, and implemented a robust trustee recruitment, training, retention, and succession planning strategy. She has also fostered organisational cohesion, equipping each tier of governance with the tools and skills needed to hold leadership accountable for progress and strategic growth. Kate joined Mercian Educational Trust (MET)—a six school trust—as Head of Governance in 2023. She was previously a National Leader of Governance, holds a BA in Business Management, a Diploma in Business Law, and the Certificate of Academy Governance from the Chartered Governance Institute. She has worked extensively with school boards, providing expert governance support and strategic guidance
Scott Brierley-Doyle
Member - Governance and Organisational Management
Scott Brierley-Doyle has over fifteen years’ experience in education leadership, governance and organisational management. Scott is a Director of Resources within a large multi-academy trust with responsibility for people, finance, estates, health and safety, marketing, risk and compliance. He has served as a co-opted governor and vice chair of governors in primary education, and as a co-opted trustee where he currently serves as vice chair of trustees. He works alongside senior leaders and trustees to strengthen organisational systems, secure statutory accountability and enable sustainable improvement, particularly where schools are facing complexity or transition. He is Chair of the Birmingham Association of School Business Management (BASBM), supporting professional collaboration and leadership across school business professionals in the region. Scott is a Strategic Accredited Practitioner and Fellow of the Institute of School Business Leadership, a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts, and an accredited Member of both the Chartered Institute of Marketing and the Chartered Management Institute. He holds a Business Management degree from the University of Birmingham.
Michelle Gabrielle
Member - HR Professional
Michelle Gabriel is a commercially minded and strategic people leader with extensive experience supporting schools and multi-academy trusts to build positive, high performing working cultures. She is currently Head of HR at Capita Entrust People Solutions, where she works with senior leaders across the education sector to develop and embed people strategies that support school improvement. Her role spans complex employee relations, organisational development, consultancy and training, giving her a strong understanding of workforce pressures at trust level. Previously, Michelle spent over seven years as Director of People at Washwood Heath Multi Academy Trust, leading the people function for seven schools employing around 750 staff. She worked closely with the CEO and executive team, providing strategic oversight across workforce planning, organisational design, wellbeing, talent management, learning and development, and diversity and inclusion, and contributing to senior decision-making and risk management. Earlier in her career, Michelle was an HR Consultant at Birmingham City Council, supporting schools and academies with restructures, academy conversion and TUPE, trade union consultation, policy development and complex casework. It was during this period that she worked alongside Mary, giving her an established professional connection and insight into Birmingham’s education and public sector context. Michelle began her career as a practising employment solicitor, advising on employment law, disputes and organisational change. She is a Fellow of the CIPD and the Institute of Leadership and Management, a qualified employment lawyer, workplace mediator and coach, and an accredited Mental Health First Aider and Safer Recruitment trainer. She has served as a school governor on two occasions.