Executive Leadership Team

James Ludlow

Chief Executive Officer

James is a highly experienced educator with more than 30 years in teaching (modern foreign languages) and leadership roles. He has served as a senior leader for over 17 years across schools in Birmingham and the Black Country, including 10 years as a secondary Principal. His leadership journey has included key roles where he has driven school improvement, strengthened leadership capacity, and secured strong Ofsted and SIAMS outcomes.

As Principal of Joseph Leckie Academy from 2021, James embedded a renewed strategic vision, improved governance and financial sustainability, and led the academy to a Good Ofsted judgement in all categories. Since 2023, James has worked collaboratively with a team of senior leaders across local schools to successfully establish The Forge Brook Trust, where he now serves as Chief Executive Officer.

James is a passionate advocate for careers education and has worked extensively with the Careers and Enterprise Company and the West Midlands Combined Authority Careers Networks. His leadership in this area has helped shape regional and national careers provision, particularly in areas of high need.

He continues to champion partnership working, having developed the Walsall Police and Schools Panel and actively contributed to strategic education groups including the Walsall Learning Alliance where he is currently the chairperson, Walsall 2040 Partnership, Schools Forum, and the Children and Young People’s Alliance. James is committed to community engagement and school-to-school collaboration.

A visible and values-driven leader, James is dedicated to developing others, fostering inclusive learning environments, and ensuring high expectations and wellbeing across the Trust.

Amanda Arnold

Director of School Improvement: Primary

Amanda is a highly experienced and impactful school leader, previously serving as Executive Headteacher of the Delves Federation. With a strong track record of school improvement and leadership development, Amanda has played a pivotal role in raising standards and outcomes across both settings and now brings this expertise to the Trust.

Appointed as Headteacher of Delves Infant and Nursery School in 2015, Amanda led the school to an Outstanding Ofsted rating within a year of her tenure. Her leadership has since ensured continued excellence and sustained high performance with Delves Junior School achieving a Good Ofsted rating with Outstanding judgements for Leadership and Management, and Behaviour and Attitudes and Delves Infant School maintaining its Outstanding status. This reflects Amanda’s consistent focus on excellence.

Amanda is passionate about developing others and has cultivated a strong distributed leadership model across the federation and this continues in her work across the Trust. Many of her colleagues have progressed to become SLEs, LA moderators, DfE experts, and Headteachers. Her leadership ensures a sustainable model for ongoing improvement and wider school-to-school support.

Amanda has delivered professional development across the West Midlands, supporting schools with evidence-based approaches to teaching and learning. She has also established strong partnerships with nationally recognised organisations, enabling the delivery of impactful programmes and staff development across the settings she leads.,/p>

Amanda’s influence extends beyond her own schools. She has contributed to local school improvement initiatives and remains actively engaged with the wider education agenda through ongoing professional development and strategic involvement in forums and networks.

Shaun Millington

Chief Finance Officer

Shaun is an accomplished business and finance professional with over 15 years of experience in education finance and operational management. He brings a strategic and results-driven approach to financial leadership.

Shaun’s career began in 2007 with Dudley MBC’s Children’s Services Accountancy team, where he laid the foundation for his expertise by earning his AAT qualification. Since then, he has held pivotal roles, including Senior Academy Financial Consultant, where he supported multi-academy trusts nationwide, guiding leaders and trustees through complex financial landscapes and contributing to the formation of several new trusts.

His impact is evident in his ability to lead financial recovery initiatives and implement strategic restructuring and benchmarking strategies that have strengthened organisational performance. Shaun’s remit extends beyond finance, overseeing HR, Payroll, ICT, Estates, Governance, and Catering operations, demonstrating his broad operational acumen.

A committed advocate for educational excellence, Shaun served as a Foundation Director at St John Bosco Multi Academy Company for nine years and is a member of the Walsall Protect and Prepare Board, contributing to counter-terrorism initiatives and preparations for Martyn’s Law.

Shaun holds a first-class honours degree in Business Management and has completed the CIPFA Diploma in School Financial and Operational Leadership and the Certificate in Financial Reporting for Academies. His qualifications reflect a deep alignment with ISBL Professional Standards and a commitment to continuous professional development, including plans to pursue a CCAB qualification.

As a key member of the Trust Executive Leadership Team, Shaun plays a vital role in shaping the strategic direction of the trust, driving financial stewardship, and ensuring the delivery of outstanding educational outcomes.