[16] After the ban was lifted, ATT CEO Ian Cleland planned to continue expanding the trust's membership.

At this time, the trust had warned over 100 of its schools' staff that they might lose their jobs or be made to reapply with a lower salary as a result of spending cuts.

Trade union Unison claimed that the trust was trying to save £500,000 and also criticised CEO Ian Cleland's high salary of at least £180,000.

[18] A Channel 4 and Observer investigation later found in July that the trust had used £3,000 of taxpayers' money for Cleland's hire car and also £3,000 for "first-class rail travel and meals at top restaurants", despite Cleland having stated during May's spending cuts that the trust was suffering from "significant financial challenges".

Ian's role requires significant, regular travel throughout the regions where our academies are based, hence the maintenance costs".

[23] It was revealed that Cleland's leave of absence in November 2016 had been ordered by the chair due to significant concerns about his performance and behaviour and also due to inadequate financial management at the trust, which led to a significant reduction in trust reserves and subsequent financial difficulties.

The EFA found that the removal of the previous chair in this manner was "not considered to be in accordance with the spirit of the Academies Financial Handbook" and that Cleland had an "inherent" conflict of interest.

"[23] In a statement, Cleland claimed that the trust had "welcomed both the review and the findings, in particular guidance on how to improve current strategic and operational structures", further adding that "ATT were compliant with the governance structure stipulated within their company documents, EFA guidance on best practice has significantly changed over time".

Multi-academy trusts led by a converter academy were the most likely to have these CEOs, however many began restructuring their systems of governance after the investigation into the ATT.

One example of this system being retained was the Seckford Foundation Free Schools Trust in Suffolk, where the accounting officer was also a member and trustee.

[25] Sir David Carter, the National Schools Commissioner, warned of a "blurring of the edges of accountability” in these cases where CEOs were also trustees.

[28] The trust fell into a £2.5 million deficit in this month, with the ESFA (which had replaced the EFA) providing it with financial support.

[30][31] According to Clinton, the Academy Transformation Trust was "a bit loony" when she became its CEO, with "significant debt, 4 CFOs in as many years, management that wasn’t fit for purpose" and "very poor systems".

This means it is regulated by the Secretary of State for Education[4] and is exempt from registration with, and oversight by, the Charity Commission for England and Wales.