Our Team
Mrs Paula Farrow OBE, Chief Executive Officer (CEO)
Paula has over 21 years’ experience as a Headteacher in schools across inner and outer London. Her roles as a National Leader of Education and an Ofsted Inspector have led to improving standards in schools across the country. Paula was recently awarded an OBE for her Services to Education and was a member of the Regional Schools Commissioners London & South Advisory Board.
Mrs Annick Smith, Chief Operating Officer (COO)
Annick serves as the Chief Operating Officer (COO) for NEST, bringing dynamic leadership and strategic oversight to ensure the seamless day-to-day operations of the organisation. Her role encompasses driving sustainability, managing efficient and cost-effective projects, advancing technology capabilities, and overseeing delivery and payroll functions—all while fostering excellence across the board.
Before stepping into her current role, Annick was NEST’s Chief Financial Officer (CFO), where she gained extensive experience working across various financial roles within NEST schools over a decade.
Annick’s career journey began in the corporate world, where she honed her expertise in a corporate treasury role in the City of London and at a leading international energy corporation. Her diverse experience and commitment to innovation make her a vital part of NEST’s leadership team.
Mrs Samantha Dossetter, Company Secretary & Lead Governance Professional
Samantha is the Company Secretary and leads the Clerking team across the Trust, supporting the training and induction of Local Committee Members and advising the NEST Team and Board on Governance. She worked with schools within the Tri boroughs of Westminster, Hammersmith and Fulham, Kensington and Chelsea advising on Governance, continuing under the bi borough agreement. She is a member of the Governing Body for a secondary school in Bromley.
Mrs Haley Foxworthy, Senior Education Lead
Guided by her deep commitment to fostering excellence in education, Haley leads the NEST Quality Assurance and School Improvement Programme, driving leadership development and training across a network of schools within the Hub. Her work focusses on critical areas such as educational standards, governance and safeguarding, ensuring that NEST schools uphold the highest standards of care, compliance, and strategic leadership.
With extensive leadership experience, Haley previously served as a Headteacher and Executive Headteacher of a Federation of six schools in London. During her tenure, she spearheaded significant school improvements, fostering a culture of excellence and innovation. Her expertise in governance, strategic oversight, and school safety is instrumental to NEST’s mission, making her an integral leader in elevating standards and shaping best practices across the Trust
Mr Nick Ide, Director of Premises & Estates
Nick is a qualified Surveyor, with commercial development, procurement and maintenance experience. He has project managed large commercial developments, programmed maintenance and procurement contracts for multi-nationals such as BASS taverns, Grand Metropolitan, London Underground and Southwark Council. He oversees the management and upkeep of building stock, health & safety and compliance across the Trust.
Mrs Elizabeth Laws, Senior Education Lead
Liz is responsible for the NEST Quality Assurance and School Improvement Programme, Leadership and Training for a Hub group of schools. She has special responsibility for Early Years and the development of Nursery Education across the Trust.
Liz is the Headteacher of an Outstanding Trust school and previously a Local Authority Advisor for Early Years. She is a National Leader of Education and a member of the Education Advisory Group for Challenge Partners.
Mrs Reshma Rao, Head of Hub Finance - NEST Bromley/Kent
Reshma is Head of Hub Finance for the NEST Bromley/Kent Schools Hub. She has extensive finance experience having been CFO of a Single Academy Trust and a Multi-Academy Trust. She oversees the Finance Team for the Hub group of schools and is a member of the NEST Finance Leadership Team.
Ms Samantha Talbot, Chief Financial Officer (CFO)
Samantha is the Chief Financial Officer (CFO) for NEST, where she leads the organisation's financial strategy with expertise and precision. Her role encompasses strategic planning, in-depth analysis of strengths and opportunities, and ensuring robust reporting and compliance to support the Trust's long-term success.
Before stepping into the CFO role, Samantha served as Trust Accountant and Head of Hub Finance for NEST’s South London schools, making her a key member of the NEST Finance Leadership Team.
Since joining NEST in 2019, Samantha has brought over 12 years of experience in education finance to the Trust. Her background also includes working as a management accountant in the private sector, equipping her with a unique blend of skills that drive financial excellence and innovation at NEST. Samantha is an active member of the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA), demonstrating her commitment to professional excellence and staying at the forefront of financial management and strategy.
Mr Nick Tildesley, Director Thames South Teaching School Hub
Nick is the Director of Thames South Teaching School Hub, leading the strategic development and direction of all aspects of the Hub. Working closely with Nexus Education Schools Trust and key strategic partners, Nick is committed to delivering exceptional training and professional development opportunities to teachers across Bromley, Bexley, and Greenwich, empowering educators and driving educational excellence.
With a wealth of experience, Nick previously served as CEO of Communitas Education Schools Trust and was a key member of Southwark’s Education Leadership Team. As a seasoned Headteacher and National Leader of Education, he has played a pivotal role in transforming education by supporting leadership development and partnering with local schools in Southwark to improve outcomes.
Nick’s passion for education and dedication to nurturing leadership make him a driving force behind the success of Thames South Teaching School Hub.
Mrs Tracey Warne, Head of People
Tracey is the Head of People at NEST. She leads the HR team in managing all aspects of employee relations, recruitment, onboarding, payroll, data and reporting. Her role encompasses legal compliance, employment law, employee relations, and talent management, ensuring the Trust remains an employer of choice and an outstanding place to work and develop.
Tracey has over 30 years’ experience as an HR professional. Before joining NEST, Tracey was the Head of HR Services for another multi-academy trust, bringing a wealth of expertise to her role. Tracey has also worked in both central and local government providing HR advice and support to school leaders. For 10 years she worked as an HR Consultant on the Schools Team at the London Borough of Bromley.
Tracey is a collaborative leader who is experienced in working with HR professionals to share ideas and best practices, driving innovation and excellence in people management. Her dedication to creating supportive, compliant, and forward-thinking HR strategies makes her an integral part of the NEST leadership team.