Helen Pratten was appointed as Chief Executive Officer of Abbey Multi Academy Trust in May 2026, having previously served as Co‑CEO since January 2020. With a deep understanding of the Trust, its communities and its strategic ambition, Helen provides clear, values‑driven leadership and is responsible for setting and delivering the Trust’s vision, direction and performance.
Alongside her role as CEO, Helen brings extensive operational and system‑leadership experience, having previously served as Director of Operations. In this role, she led and oversaw the Trust’s Corporate Services, including finance, governance, HR, marketing and IT, ensuring strong infrastructure, robust governance and sound financial stewardship to support high‑quality education across all academies. Helen works closely with the Trust Board to ensure Abbey MAT operates with integrity, transparency and long‑term sustainability.
Before becoming Director of Operations, Helen was Executive Principal, working across the Trust’s primary academies, and prior to that was Headteacher of St Chad’s Church of England Primary School, one of the founding schools of Abbey MAT. These roles continue to shape her leadership approach, placing pupils, staff and communities firmly at the centre of decision‑making. Her commitment to creating welcoming, disciplined and purposeful environments, where both children and adults thrive, remains at the heart of her work.
Helen is passionate about providing children with rich and inspiring learning experiences and about supporting leaders to deliver the Trust’s core vision: high‑quality education for all. Through academic, cultural and spiritual opportunities, pupils and colleagues are empowered to flourish and to live ‘life in all its fullness’ (John 10:10).
A firm believer in lifelong learning, Helen holds a degree in English and a Master’s in Leadership and Management. She has completed the NPQEL and NPQH, as well as an Executive Leadership qualification with Ambition Institute, and became a Fellow of the Chartered College of Teaching in 2023. Beyond Abbey MAT, Helen also serves as a trustee of a non‑profit organisation, reflecting her strong commitment to public service and community impact.
Linked to the Trust’s focus on oracy, Helen’s favourite word is ubuntu a concept from Zulu and Xhosa often translated as “I am because we are.” Ubuntu captures Helen’s belief in community, compassion and shared responsibility, and underpins her approach to leadership, learning and partnership across the Trust.
