The MAST Board of Trustees is supported by committees that provide focused scrutiny, challenge and assurance in key areas of the Trust’s work.

Committees operate within delegated authority from the Board and report back to Trustees on the areas for which they are responsible. Their role is to support effective decision-making, ensure appropriate oversight and help the Board discharge its statutory and fiduciary responsibilities.

Each committee has clearly defined Terms of Reference, membership and responsibilities.

Committee Responsibilities

Our committees provide detailed oversight in areas such as:

• finance and financial management
• audit and risk
• educational standards and school improvement
• safeguarding and inclusion
• estates and compliance
• governance and organisational assurance

The exact responsibilities of each committee are set out in its Terms of Reference and in the Trust’s Scheme of Delegation.

Committee Membership

Each committee is made up of Trustees and, where appropriate, other individuals with relevant knowledge or expertise.

The Chair of each committee is responsible for ensuring that meetings are effective, that appropriate scrutiny takes place and that key matters are reported to the Board.

Transparency

MAST is committed to clear and transparent governance.

For each committee, we publish:

• committee name
• Chair
• membership
• remit
• Terms of Reference
• attendance information, where applicable

Finance & Audit Committee

Chair
Balvinder Singh

Members
Nicole Caulfield
Gill Mond
Lorna Hamilton

Remit
The Finance & Audit Committee supports the Board of Trustees in maintaining effective oversight of the Trust’s financial management, internal controls, risk management and assurance arrangements. It scrutinises budgets, management accounts, financial performance, audit activity and key financial risks, providing challenge and assurance to the Board that resources are being used effectively, sustainably and in line with statutory and regulatory requirements.

Standards Committee

Chair
Nicole Caulfield

Members
Ben Hulme
Lorna Hamilton
Heidi Barton

Remit
The Standards Committee supports the Board of Trustees in overseeing the educational performance of the Trust and its schools. It monitors standards, pupil outcomes, curriculum quality, inclusion, attendance, behaviour, safeguarding and school improvement, providing challenge and assurance that all pupils receive a high-quality education and that schools are making appropriate progress against Trust priorities.

Pay Committee

Chair
Nicole Caulfield

Members
Nicole Caulfield
Viv Hawkey
Gill Mond

Remit
The Pay Committee acts on behalf of the Board of Trustees in relation to executive and senior leadership remuneration. It considers pay recommendations in accordance with Trust policy, relevant guidance and delegated authority, ensuring that decisions are fair, transparent, evidence-based and support the effective recruitment, retention and performance of senior leaders.

Further information can be found in the individual committee pages and within our Governance Documents section.