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

Dee’s career in education and passion for school improvement began 23 years ago when she accepted her first teaching post.  She has gained experience of teaching year groups across EYFS, Key Stage One and Key Stage Two which has provided her with a solid understanding of the high-quality teaching and learning, research informed pedagogy and meticulously sequenced curriculum progression needed to ensure all children are able to achieve their full potential.

Dee's leadership career has seen her play a pivotal role in school leadership and school improvement in a wide range of schools; from one and two-form entry schools to most recently, a three-form entry school with an onsite Nursery provision.  As Headteacher, Dee has successfully led schools through the academisation process and has proactively taken on the role of Headteacher in schools that require rapid and sustainable school improvement.  She is passionate about early years’ education and has strategically led EYFS at a trust wide level for a number of years.  Dee has expertise in leadership, behaviour and safeguarding and has secured a number of outstanding Ofsted outcomes in these areas.

In her free time, Dee enjoys spending time with her son and on the weekends, supporting him as he plays for two different football teams. She enjoys reading a wide range of books and going to the cinema. Dee can often be found running in her local area and sets herself the challenge of competing in half marathon races at least two or three times a year.

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.