Meet The Trust Business Managers
Meet Karen
Karen Barnes is the kind of person who can turn a routine finance meeting into a lively and engaging discussion. She’s a cheerful, chatty, and charismatic Business Manager whose great sense of humour and knack for making others laugh have endeared her to colleagues across the six schools she supports. With nearly 8 years at Learners Trust, her knack for balancing professionalism with warmth has been key to her success in an ever-evolving role.
Karen’s journey with the trust began when it was just three schools, and she has been there every step of the way as it transformed into a thriving multi-academy trust. She thrives on variety, overseeing finance, HR, and compliance with a meticulous eye while bringing a human touch to every interaction. Her monthly finance meetings are not just about numbers—they’re opportunities to collaborate, solve problems, and build relationships.
Before joining the trust, Karen spent 19 years in the police force, where she developed her skills in organization, precision, and accountability. She transitioned into education when her daughter started school, drawn to the flexibility of term-time hours. From day one, Karen’s ability to manage resources effectively and maintain consistency across schools has set her apart.
Karen is passionate about making sure every penny of funding benefits students quickly and meaningfully. She firmly believes in the trust’s mission of leaving no child behind, and she takes pride in being part of a team that prioritises safeguarding and support at every level.
Her favourite memory is the trust’s early days, watching it grow from a small collaboration into a dynamic, multi-academy community. For Karen, the most rewarding part of her role is the people—whether it’s solving a tricky HR query or sharing a laugh with colleagues, she thrives on connection.
Karen’s vibrant personality and unwavering dedication make her the heart of the trust, ensuring that work is not only efficient but also a lot of fun.
Meet Helen
Helen Dean embodies calmness and humility in her role as Trust Business Manager for the Learners Trust. Though she finds it challenging to speak about herself, her contributions and dedication to the trust speak volumes. Since the trust’s inception as a collaboration between two primary schools in Chesterfield in 2016, Helen has been a steady presence, supporting the growth and development of the organisation.
Starting as a support officer for the two founding schools, Helen’s journey has been one of progression and dedication, culminating in her promotion to Trust Business Manager in 2021. Before joining the trust, she was a team leader at a Teacher Center in Sheffield, where she honed her skills in supporting educational initiatives. Her past experience in examination administration, which included financial responsibilities, equipped her with the expertise to navigate the financial intricacies of her current role.
In her position, Helen enjoys the variety of responsibilities that come with being a business manager. From HR to finance, her organizational skills shine as she manages multiple tasks across various schools. She values building strong relationships with staff, believing that approachability and effective communication are essential to fostering a collaborative environment. Helen finds fulfillment in meeting diverse individuals, appreciating the unpredictability that keeps her engaged and motivated.
One of Helen’s key challenges is balancing leadership with operational tasks, especially when it comes to prioritising requests. Her calm demeanor helps her navigate these challenges with grace, as she understands the importance of saying no when necessary.
A significant accomplishment in her role has been implementing more efficient systems, such as the recent update to the school workforce census on Access. Previously, individual schools managed this process separately, but with Helen’s new system, all 18 schools can now benefit from a streamlined approach. The positive feedback from administrative staff has reinforced her belief in the value of organisation and collaboration.
Helen’s quiet strength and commitment to the trust’s mission make her a vital part of the team. Her impact is unmistakable, ensuring that the trust continues to thrive for the benefit of all its schools.
Meet Tracy
Tracy Adams is the embodiment of calm confidence, a steady hand guiding the complexities of her role as Trust Business Manager at The Learner’s Trust. With a quiet determination and an impeccable sense of poise, Tracy has seamlessly transitioned from a distinguished career in law to a pivotal role in education.
Tracy’s 22-year legal career in litigation, employment law, and contracts honed her ability to balance high-pressure deadlines with precision.Her career shift was inspired by her active involvement in her son’s school, where she served as Chair of the Parents & Friends Association and treasurer of his football team. These experiences ignited her passion for supporting schools, leading her to become School Business Manager at Old Hall Junior and Westfield Infant Schools in 2009.
Now, as Trust Business Manager since 2021, Tracy continues to exemplify grace under pressure. She works closely with Jonathan to oversee the financial and management accounts of the schools within the trust. Her background in law, where resource management and problem-solving were daily necessities, has equipped her to juggle budgets and streamline processes with precision. Together, Tracy and Jonathan have introduced innovative systems to unify operations across the trust, fostering consistency and efficiency.
For Tracy, working at The Learner’s Trust is more than a job; it’s a calling. She is drawn to the trust’s mission of enriching children’s education and appreciates the supportive, open culture fostered by the leadership, including CEO Matt. Tracy takes pride in the trust’s significant progress.
Tracy Adams is more than a manager; she is a pillar of reliability and grace. Her journey from legal prowess to educational stewardship reflects a career built on adaptability, expertise, and an unwavering commitment to excellence. Those who work with her know they are in the presence of someone who doesn’t just manage challenges but transforms them into opportunities for growth.
Meet Jonathan
Jonathan Elton brings a blend of optimism, pragmatism, and a solutions-focused mindset to his role as Trust Business Manager. With a career spanning finance, school management, and special education, he thrives on building systems that empower schools while staying grounded in the trust’s broader vision.
Jonathan’s journey began in finance before moving to Derbyshire County Council, where he supported schools with budgeting and financial matters. He then became a business manager at a secondary school and later joined Ashgatecroft School, a special school for children with disabilities. At Ashgatecroft, Jonathan managed finance, HR, and legal responsibilities, finding joy in moments like helping children learn to spell their names or count for the first time. Despite the unique challenges of special education, Jonathan’s cheerful demeanor and direct approach enabled him to navigate the emotional highs and lows with resilience.
Now at the trust, Jonathan focuses on developing financial systems that improve efficiency and transparency across its 18 schools. Recent projects include designing reports to help head teachers manage their budgets and creating tools to track the performance of school clubs. These initiatives reflect his commitment to making financial management more accessible and effective.
Jonathan also takes pride in understanding and supporting the trust’s vision. He values its systematic approach to strategy development and appreciates the flexibility it offers schools in shaping their curriculums. For Jonathan, the trust’s culture of collaboration and empowerment is key to its ongoing growth and success.
With a direct yet approachable personality, Jonathan fosters strong relationships and thrives on helping others succeed. His ability to explain complex systems clearly and his cheerful outlook make him a vital part of the trust’s mission to support schools and their communities effectively.
