12 February 2026
To celebrate National School Governors Awareness Day, we are shining a light on the incredible people behind governance across the Trust and our academies. Often, people assume that to be a school governor, you need to be a teacher or an education expert. However, the reality is that some of the most impactful voices in our schools come from entirely different professional backgrounds.
We spoke with Chris Lambert, Chair of Governors for Carr Lodge Academy, Rosedale Primary School, and Sheep Dip Lane Academy, to discuss how his career in banking and his roots in the Doncaster community led him to a rewarding role in governance.
Bridging the Gap
While Chris’s professional background was in banking, education was always a major part of his life, with his wife dedicating over 30 years to the classroom as a teacher and leader. "Through my own career, I’ve seen the impact of good leadership from every angle," Chris explains.
For Chris, becoming a governor was a way to translate his corporate experience into community impact. "I wanted to use the skills and experience I gained to give back to my local community in Doncaster. It was about ensuring that the children in our local academies have the same opportunities as anyone else."
Staying Connected to the Engine Room
Governance offers a unique perspective on how a school operates. Chris describes the role as staying connected to the "engine room" of education. Whether it’s celebrating a positive Ofsted result or seeing pupils thrive in a supportive environment, the reward comes from providing the stability that allows a school to succeed.
"It is the sense of being part of a team that is genuinely making a difference," he says. "It is incredibly rewarding to know you are helping provide the stability and challenge that allows a school to go from strength to strength."
The Power of Supportive Challenge
What does the day-to-day role actually look like? Chris believes it’s all about balance. "To me, it is about having the right balance between support and challenge," he notes.
He adds that by building strong, trusting relationships with school leaders, governors can ask the difficult questions that ensure the best outcomes for students. "When you have that foundation, leadership understands that your questions come from a place of wanting the best for everyone."
Your Skills are Wanted
If you are considering governance but are worried you don't "know enough" about schools, Chris has a clear message for you: "You don't need a forensic knowledge of the educational system to make a difference. We are looking for people with professional skills, integrity, and a unique perspective.”
"Don't be put off by what you think you don't know," Chris encourages. "Your unique skills are exactly what a governing body needs."
Take the Next Step
Help us to continue to provide a first-class education for the children of Doncaster. Your professional background could be the missing piece in our governing body.
To learn more about becoming a governor at one of our academies, please contact our Trust Governance and Policy Administration Officer, Adam Loughran, at [email protected].