Karen Hayes is the Chief Executive Officer of Esteem Multi-Academy Trust, providing strategic leadership to ensure high-quality education, strong outcomes and inclusive provision for pupils with complex and specialist needs.

Karen’s leadership is firmly rooted in education. She was the highly successful Principal of Derby Pride Academy for eight years, one of the county’s first Alternative Provision free schools. Under her leadership, the academy achieved multiple outstanding Ofsted judgements and built a strong reputation for high expectations, safeguarding, inclusion and positive pupil destinations.

Alongside headship, Karen held trust-wide responsibility as School Improvement and Development Advisor for Alternative Provision, supporting leaders to strengthen curriculum quality, behaviour, attendance and safeguarding across AP settings. She later became Director of Partnerships and Provision, leading education strategy, system collaboration and commissioning arrangements with local authorities to improve access to high-quality provision, including day 6 pathways.

Karen is an experienced Ofsted Inspector, bringing a deep understanding of inspection frameworks, quality assurance and improvement from starting points. This informs her work with leaders to secure sustainable improvement and strong professional practice.

A committed advocate for Alternative Provision and inclusion, Karen is the East Midlands lead for PRUsAP UK, supporting PRU and AP leaders locally and nationally.

Earlier in her career, Karen held senior executive roles in school business management, giving her a strong operational and financial foundation. This enables her, as CEO, to align educational ambition with effective systems, governance and resources.

David Smith is the driving force behind our financial strategy, ensuring sustainable growth and strong financial governance. With over 30 years of experience across finance, IT, marketing, and operations, he brings a dynamic, cross-sector perspective to the trust.

Before joining Esteem MAT in 2023, David was Finance Director at SDL Surveying Limited, leading financial operations for over six years. His career spans major organizations, including British Gas, Santander, TDX Group, Capital One, and The Boots Company, equipping him with a wealth of expertise in financial leadership and business transformation.

An ACMA-qualified accountant since 1999, David also holds a Bachelor of Humanities in Business Studies from Liverpool John Moores University. Passionate about community impact, he serves as a voluntary Director on the Board of Central Nottingham Citizens Advice Bureau.

David is committed to delivering financial excellence that empowers education, ensuring Esteem MAT continues to thrive and make a difference.