I am incredibly proud to be taking on the role of Chair of the Board of Trustees for Aston Community Education Trust. Having 
been actively involved with ACET since September 2019, I have had the privilege of seeing first-hand the dedication, care and 
ambition that exists across our schools, our staff, our leaders and our wider communities.

My journey with ACET began as a governor, and later a trustee and vice chair, and it has been especially meaningful to support schools that played such an important part in my own life. I attended Brookfield Primary Academy (Brookfield Junior School) and Swinton Academy (Swinton Comprehensive School) and later had the honour of serving as a governor at both during my time with the Trust. Being able to give something back to the schools and communities that helped shape me has been one of the most rewarding parts of my ACET journey so far.

Alongside my work with ACET, I have built my career in senior leadership roles within the construction and engineering sector. 
I am currently Group Commercial Director at NG Bailey, having previously spent 17 years with Balfour Beatty in a range of 
leadership roles. Throughout my career, I have seen how strong leadership, collaboration, ambition, and investment in people can make a lasting difference. These are values I strongly believe in and principles I am keen to bring into my role as Chair as we look to strengthen and develop ACET for the future. 

As I step into this new role, I would like to personally thank John Barton, our outgoing Chair, not only for his leadership of 
ACET, but also for the support and trust he has shown in my leadership throughout my time as a trustee. John, along with the 
trustees who are now stepping down, has been instrumental in helping to drive ACET to where it is today. Their time, expertise and commitment have created strong and stable foundations on which we can now build with confidence.

Looking ahead, I am excited to work closely with Rebecca Scutt, ACET’s CEO, alongside our current trustees, and to welcome new trustees to the Board who will bring fresh perspectives, energy and experience. Together, our focus will be on supporting every school within the Trust to be the best it can be, strengthening outcomes for all learners and ensuring ACET continues to evolve to meet the needs of our young people and communities. After nearly seven years with ACET, I am more ambitious than ever for what comes next. By building on our strong foundations, maintaining high expectations and working in genuine partnership, I believe we can lead ACET towards even bigger, brighter and more sustainable outcomes for the children, families and communities we serve.

Craig McGowan
Chair of ACET