Alison joined the executive team in April 2017 having previously worked as Company Secretary for Nottingham University Samworth Academy Trust. Alison leads strategy and engagement, incorporating public relations, stakeholder voice (pupils, parents and staff), governance and compliance.

Prior to joining the trust, Alison worked for over 11 years as a Lead Project Manager for the University of Nottingham, where she led on a range of educational outreach projects for their academy sponsored schools (NUSA, NUAST and Firbeck), with the aim of raising community aspirations. Alison also jointly led, on behalf of the UoN School of Education, their PGCE volunteering project in South African primary and secondary Mamelodi township schools.

Before joining the education sector, Alison worked extensively in the corporate sector, including a significant period at National Grid partnering the leadership board of one of their subsidiary enterprises.