Jacqueline Russell joined the Ark family six years ago as COO, then CEO of The Future Leaders Trust - now part of the Ambition Institute. She has also been Commercial Director for Ark, helping develop sustainable business plans for schools. She became CFO of Ark in 2017.

Prior to joining Ark, Jacqueline worked in a variety of roles in the private sector. At Camelot she was the inaugural Finance Director of the South African National Lottery. In the UK she was Finance Director for Conran shops.

Jacqueline is Chair of Governors for Ark Globe Academy and Ark Acton Academy. She is also a trustee for Spark Inside, a charity pioneering the use of professional coaching in prisons to tackle violence, promote rehabilitation and reduce re-offending. She is very involved in her community - she has been treasurer for her local church for over 10 years, and she works as a night shelter cook for a local homeless shelter.

Jacqueline qualified at Price Waterhouse and is a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants.

Jerry Collins is the Regional Director for the North London and Portsmouth secondary schools. Previously he was Principal of Ark John Keats Academy, which opened in September 2013 in Enfield. Prior to this, Jerry was founding principal of Pimlico Academy which was rated outstanding by Ofsted during his tenure.