Jeremy Meek

Chief Executive Officer

Jeremy began his career in education as a classroom teacher before moving into headship, where he went on to lead three schools as a Headteacher.  He subsequently served as an Executive Headteacher across a growing group of schools, successively leading two, four, five and ultimately six schools.  Alongside this, Jeremy was a member of the executive team of a large multi academy trust of twenty schools, contributing to strategic leadership, system-wide improvement and trust-level decision making, before being appointed CEO of The Kite Academy Trust in September 2023.

With over nineteen years’ experience in education, including fifteen years in senior leadership, Jeremy has dedicated his career to improving educational outcomes and widening life chances for children and young people.  He has led sustained improvement across a number of schools, including supporting several on journeys from inadequate to good and beyond.

Jeremy places a strong emphasis on people and culture, believing that thriving colleagues are fundamental to strong outcomes for pupils.  This belief underpins The Kite’s ongoing focus on professional development, collaboration, and staff wellbeing and wellness across the Trust.

Outside of work, Jeremy prioritises his wellbeing through an active lifestyle, reflective practices and healthy living.  He values time spent with his family and enjoys reading both fiction and non-fiction.

Dee Hughes

Deputy Chief Executive Officer

Throughout her leadership career, Dee has played a pivotal role in school leadership and improvement across a diverse range of settings.  As a Headteacher and Executive Headteacher, she has successfully led schools through academisation and has taken on leadership roles in schools requiring rapid and sustainable improvement, working closely with staff, governors, Trust leaders and wider stakeholders to build capacity and secure lasting success.

A highly collaborative leader, Dee is passionate about empowering others and creating cultures in which teams can thrive.  She believes that sustained school improvement is achieved through strong relationships, shared accountability and a collective commitment to excellence.  Throughout her career, she has worked alongside leaders, teachers and support staff to develop effective practice, strengthen professional learning and ensure the best possible outcomes for children and families.

Dee began her career in education over 26 years ago and has remained committed to improving outcomes and life chances for children ever since.  Having taught across the Early Years Foundation Stage, Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2, she has developed a deep understanding of the high-quality teaching, research-informed pedagogy and carefully sequenced curriculum design required to ensure every child can reach their full potential.

Dee is particularly passionate about early years education and has led this area strategically across multiple schools and at Trust level for several years.  She has extensive expertise in leadership, behaviour, culture and safeguarding, and has contributed to securing a number of strong Ofsted outcomes in these areas.  Her work is driven by a commitment to educational excellence, inclusion and ensuring that every child receives the highest quality education, supported by skilled and dedicated teams.

Outside of work, Dee enjoys spending time with her family and can often be found supporting her son from the sidelines at football matches.  She is passionate about health and wellbeing, regularly attending yoga and reformer Pilates classes, as well as running in her local area; having completed several half marathons, she is always looking for her next challenge! 

Matthew Swain

Chief Education Officer

Matthew joined The Kite as its new Director of Education in September 2023.  Prior to his appointment, Matthew strategically led the quality of education across eight highly performing primary academies where he achieved consecutive outstanding Ofsted judgements for leadership.  He has also been at the forefront of leading national improvements to the teacher education landscape as Deputy Director of the East Sussex, Brighton and Hove Teaching Hub and Head of the regional Appropriate Body.

Throughout his 15 years in education leadership, Matthew has been driven by his belief that all children should enjoy, access and succeed equally at school whatever their background.  And it is this belief that has driven him to constantly challenge traditional ways of working.  He has built a formidable reputation in the sector for his research led innovations, which include whole school mastery models for mathematics and reading and, most recently, the collaborative working model that underpins The Kite’s recent successes.

Above all things though, Matthew is a father and most of his free time is spent enjoying building Lego with his son and watching his daughter play in her latest football match.  In the moments between, he is also a runner and board gamer.

Dan Sainsbury

Director of Finance

Dan joined The Kite Academy Trust as Director of Finance in January 2026.  Previously, Dan had worked as Head of Finance for an 8 school MAT in Hampshire for 2 years, and as a Finance Business Partner to a number of schools within the MAT prior to that.

Dan first joined the MAT sector in January 2020 - 3 months before schools went into lockdown - and at the time was working in a school with heavily paper reliant systems and processes.  Ever since, process transformation using digital technology and IT has been a core focus for Dan to ensure that the Finance teams he has been a part of, or led, have found the most efficient and modern ways of working.

Away from the office, Dan is a husband and father to two young children, whilst still being a keen amateur golfer and trying to retain a low handicap!

Destiny Belle

Director of Operations

Destiny joined The Kite Academy Trust in February 2026, bringing over 13 years of experience across operations, estates, facilities and compliance.  She has worked in both the public and private sectors, with time spent in housing and education, and  considers her most rewarding years to be those supporting schools.

Throughout her career, Destiny has led a wide range of operational functions, including estates, health and safety, compliance and organisational improvement.  She has chaired Estates and Health & Safety Committees and contributed to both educational and housing boards, supporting strong governance and strategic development.  Destiny has also played a key role in successful ISI and Ofsted inspections, ensuring robust operational standards across the settings she has supported.

At The Kite Academy Trust, Destiny oversees HR, IT, and Estates, bringing a strategic and collaborative approach to developing efficient, modern, and future-focused operational systems.

Outside of work, Destiny enjoys spending time with her daughter and can often be found cooking or reading.