Dixons Academies Trust is a well-established multi-academy trust currently comprised of 16 schools which serve the communities of West Yorkshire and the North West, specifically inner-city Bradford, Leeds, Liverpool and Manchester. Its mission is to challenge educational and social disadvantage in the North of England; all of its academies are located in areas of deprivation and serve communities with higher levels of pupils eligible for Free School Meals or with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities than the national average.

Dixons was built around the high-performing Dixons City Academy. It was one of the first City Technology Colleges, which were the early blueprint for the academy programme. A third of the Trust's schools were brand new start-ups under the free school programme, while the other two-thirds are turnarounds adopted from failing predecessors in Special Measures. Over the past five years, Dixons has more than doubled in size, growing to serve around 13,600 students, supported by around 1,500 staff, and with a budget of £100m. Among the Trust's 16 schools, there are 10 secondary academies, three primaries, two all-through academies, and a sixth form academy. Six of the academies are judged Outstanding; three are judged Good having been sponsored from Special Measures; and a further seven academies are awaiting their first inspection now that Ofsted’s programme has resumed.

Over the next three years, Dixons plans again to grow significantly, building hubs along the M62 in Liverpool and Manchester. It is likely that the majority of the additional schools will be secondaries. A site has been identified for a new free school in the Wythenshawe district of Manchester, and the Trust hopes to win approval this coming year for one or two further free schools in the Wave 15 application round. As it looks to expand, Dixons remains focused on its strategic anchors of academic rigour and the high-quality delivery of a rich curriculum, a model of aligned autonomy across its academies, and the attraction and retention of talented teachers to support its mission of tackling educational and social disadvantage.

Together, the Board of Trustees hold the CEO and senior leadership team to account to successfully deliver against the Dixons mission and strategic plan. They ensure an excellent education and level of safeguarding of students, a clear strategic direction and the setting and monitoring of performance benchmarks. Trustees also have overall responsibility for ensuring that Dixons complies with all legal and regulatory requirements, that resources are managed prudently and governance is of the highest possible standard.

Trustees actively participate in Board discussions providing robust challenge in a constructive manner, and work well with other Board members and the leadership team. They understand the strategic nature of the Board’s role and how this differs from the role of executive leaders.

Dixons Academies Trust is looking for new Trustees who will be strong strategic thinkers with the ability to evaluate complex management information. They will be highly engaged with the work of the Trust, and willing to devote time, enthusiasm and effort to the role. They will share the Trust's commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion and be eager to reflect and learn in the role.

Audit / Risk: The Trust is specifically looking for new members of the Audit and Risk Committee. The purpose of the Committee is to monitor the integrity of financial statements, to review the governance, internal control and risk management systems, as well as the internal and external audit services. It also gives recommendations to the Board where it considers that action and improvement is needed and can call in external experts where needed. This individual should have deep leadership experience in audit and / or risk. They will be strong communicators, highly analytical, yet be able to explain complex issues with clarity and reason.

Education: The successful candidate will have experience at an executive and strategic level as a senior leader in education. With a deep understanding of educational data and how to interrogate it, they will provide advice and appropriate challenge to the leadership team on best practice in teaching and learning, and driving educational outcomes.

Safeguarding: The health and safety of children is at the core of the Trust's work. This individual's previous safeguarding experience will inform their advice on ensuring that the welfare of all 13,600 students is both promoted and protected, including the Trust’s duties related to special education needs and disabilities (SEND). Candidates with experience in the education sector are welcomed but the Trust is open to safeguarding expertise whose experience might have been gained in a different context, such as through sport, the law or healthcare. 

Applications are welcome from those looking to take on their first non-executive role. The successful candidates will be passionate about making a tangible difference in children’s lives, particularly those facing educational and social disadvantage in the North of England.

Dixons is a values-driven organisation, and its academies are communities with a strong sense of moral purpose. It expects staff and students to work hard, and to be determined to get things done. It also expects everyone to be good, behaving with integrity and honesty at all times. Finally, it expects all of its people to be nice, to show humility and to be positive team players.

Trustees meet six times per year in October, December, January, March, May and July. The December and March meetings are set as strategy days, whose main focus is education and standards. The Trust also has an Audit and Risk Committee and a Finance Committee which meet three times per year, and Trustees are expected join one of the Committees. The term of office is four years for a maximum of two cycles. Meetings are a hybrid approach with Committee meetings held via Microsoft Teams. Board and strategy meetings are held within Dixons locations across Leeds, Bradford, Manchester and Liverpool. Occasional visits to the Trust's academies are also encouraged to better understand its work. Travel expenses are paid whilst dealing with trust business.

In the interests of safeguarding and in accordance with Department for Education requirements, the role will be subject to an enhanced disclosure and barring service check.

Dixons is particularly interested in individuals who are either based in, or have substantial connections with, the North West (Manchester and Liverpool, in particular) and West Yorkshire.