Our Senior Leadership Team

Ian Tucker joined Red Kite Learning Trust as Chief Executive Officer in February 2026, bringing extensive leadership experience across primary, secondary and multi-academy trust settings.

Originally from Ilkley, Ian began his teaching career in Yorkshire before moving to the South West, where he led across a range of primary and secondary schools. He served for 12 years as a primary headteacher before leading three secondary schools over a further 12-year period. He later held the role of Executive Headteacher across two secondary schools prior to being appointed Chief Executive Officer of Magna Learning Partnership in Salisbury.

Ian’s career spans both urban and rural contexts, providing him with a broad understanding of the diverse challenges and opportunities within the education sector. He is committed to high standards, inclusion and securing the best possible outcomes for children and young people. School improvement, strong professional relationships and system leadership remain central to his approach.

Ian is proud to have returned to Yorkshire and to lead Red Kite Learning Trust as it continues to nurture ambition, deliver excellence and enrich children’s lives.

Jonathan brings a wealth of experience from a distinguished career spanning the military and education sectors, and his leadership is instrumental in driving the Trust’s commitment to nurturing ambition, delivering excellence and enriching children’s lives.

Prior to joining our Trust, Jonathan served as COO at Astrea Academy Trust, where he oversaw operational services across 27 schools. His tenure was marked by strategic innovation and cross-functional leadership, delivering enhanced educational experiences for thousands of pupils. His expertise in operations management, strategic planning, and resource optimisation has consistently supported the development of high-performing teams and impactful outcomes.

Prior to his work in education, Jonathan served in the British Army for 29 years, culminating in senior roles including Chief Mentor to the Afghan Army’s leadership training, Deputy Chief of Staff to the Allied Rapid Reaction Corps, preceded by 1st (UK) Division based in York and as a Regimental Commanding Officer in 3rd (UK) Division. Notably, he led strategic operations supporting multi-national military and civilian personnel and contributed to international peace and security initiatives. Jonathan is a passionate advocate for diversity, with extensive experience fostering career opportunities for women in the military and he is deeply committed to promoting mental health wellbeing and resilience.

James Rant has worked for Red Kite Learning Trust since 2019, initially as Director of Finance, and more recently as Chief Financial Officer. James is a Chartered Accountant with over 12 years of experience working with Charities and Academies.

As CFO, James is involved in overseeing all things financially related for the Trust, leading on financial, risk and compliance matters as well as steering the Trust and the Teaching School on strategic and commercial aspects.

James’ role also includes reviewing systems and processes for efficiencies and providing timely analysis and information to Headteachers and Stakeholders. He also leads on statutory requirements such as External Audit, Grant Returns and ESFA Returns.

Ria Tomlinson is CIPD HRM qualified and joined our Trust in 2023. Prior to this, Ria worked in senior HR and Operational leadership roles in the private sector, starting as a retail graduate. Having developed her career through various development programmes, she is really passionate about developing others, nurturing talent and promoting wellbeing. She has a high level of experience in change management, employee relations and leading large complex teams. Ria and her team ensure expert guidance, delivery and support of high-quality HR and Payroll services for our Trust, within a framework of best practice, policy and law. Leading innovation through HR such as Systems, Performance Review and Harmonisation.

Amanda Thornton Jones is the Director of Primary Education for Red Kite Learning Trust, for which she has responsibility for the development and improvement of the primary schools. She works with each school individually, in and across local groupings to secure high-quality provision. She provides an oversight of standards and quality across the schools. Amanda has over 30 years of primary education experience, including headship and a proven track record of school improvement, having gained many years employed as a School Improvement Consultant for Leeds and Stockport Advisory services.

Erica joined the Red Kite Learning Trust in September 2023. As Director of Secondary Education, Erica is committed to improving the life chances of children in Leeds and Harrogate by ensuring they receive a high-quality education in our schools. Erica is particularly interested is in raising the achievement of disadvantaged pupils and those with SEND and works tirelessly towards this aim.

After gaining a degree in English and French, Erica took a PGCE and qualified to teach both subjects; however, like many teachers, Erica ended up teaching a range of other subjects, including Spanish, Law, IT and PE.

Erica spent 25 years as a secondary teacher, the last eleven as a senior leader and then joined the School Improvement Team in Leeds where she worked with school leaders in Leeds for 10 years.

Erica loves working with the many talented teachers, support staff and leaders in schools and genuinely tries to support and challenge in equal measure.

With over 20 years of experience supporting and developing IT in Education, David has worked with a number of schools to help them develop and improve their systems and support, including the best way for them to implement 1:1 learning opportunities.

As Director of IT, David leads a talented team who are responsible for providing a centralised IT support service to the Trust. Providing guidance and advice on implementing new systems as well as supporting staff and students, this highly regarded team are committed to providing the best possible service to their schools and helping the Trust innovate through the use of technolog

Sam Shuttleworth has worked for Red Kite Learning Trust since 2019. Sam is a Chartered Quantity Surveyor by trade and prior to joining our Trust worked in the construction industry for 8 years delivering projects for education clients. As Director of Estates Sam is responsible for management of the property and land portfolio of the Trust, ensuring our Trust complies with requirements of the DfE’s Good Estates Management standards and meeting its moral and legal duties in respect of our Health and Safety Policy.

Steve Howell has worked in the education sector since 2003 following roles as a Management Accountant for various blue-chip companies including Unilever and Coca-Cola. Steve helped establish and develop Red Kite Learning Trust and was our CFO for ten years, leading on financial, risk and compliance matters as well as steering the Trust and the Teaching School on strategic and commercial aspects. Steve is now our Commercial Director working across all strands of our Trust developing and nurturing our brands, strategic partnerships and cultivating commercial opportunities.

As the Director of Red Kite Education, Sara Davidson leads Red Kite Teacher Training, Teaching School Hub and the Alliance. Originally a secondary English teacher, she has a wide range of experience as a middle and senior leader, acting Headteacher and local authority Strategic Lead for Education.

Sara has an interest in teacher-led research, completing an MEd in Practitioner Enquiry in 2019 and winning the Marie Butterworth Prize for practitioner enquiry from Newcastle University. She has also been a Principal Lecturer for teacher training at a university in the North East, and brings this knowledge and experience of educational research to her role in Red Kite Education.