Meet our people

FED Ambassador: Jonas Andrew-Phillip is an International Multi-Award-Winning TEDx Speaker, Workshop Facilitator and Host. He facilitates career and personal progression workshops, programmes and speeches for young people. Using his own

Jason is Chief Executive of Mission 44, a new charitable foundation launched by Sir Lewis Hamilton to boost social mobility in the UK. After starting his career as a teacher in

FED Ambassador: Emma Balchin has been the National Governance Association (NGA) Chief Executive since September 2023. In this role she leads the charity with a focus on improving educational standards

Farrah is the former co-founder and CEO of Primordial (a deep biotechfounded via Entrepreneur First), Uniformed, a national UK charity that hasraised significant funding and operates with an umbrella of

Mohammed is an Associate Researcher and Co-Chairs the Learners Council at The Foundation for Education Development. He also works for the Education Strategy Unit at the City of London Corporation

FED Ambassador: Caitlin Bell is the Head of Market Development at Capita, where she leads strategic initiatives to expand market presence and drive business growth. In this role, she is

FED Ambassador: WorldSkills UK is a skills quality improvement partnership between employers, education and governments. Neil joined WorldSkills UK as CEO in 2015 and under his tenure, the organisation has

Marianne is the Managing Director of Education, Health, and Social Care at Capita, with over 13 years of public sector experience. She has held key roles, including Finance & Commercial

Karan Bilimoria, Lord Bilimoria of Chelsea CBE DL, is the founder of Cobra Beer, Chairman of the Cobra Beer Partnership Limited, a Joint Venture with Molson Coors, and Chairman of

John, The Lord Bird MBE was born into poverty and brought up in care. His life journey has included spells as a prisoner, artist and printer. Now an activist, publisher

Justin is the HundrED UK Lead and Founder and Director of Conscious Learning Ltd, connecting people with opportunities and unlocking potential. He leads the HundrED UK Community identifying innovation in

Charlotte Bosworth is Managing Director of Innovate Awarding. Charlotte’s career within Education commenced in 1996 with RSA Examinations Board and she has vast experience in curriculum, assessment and qualification design.

Rod Bristow has led Pearson’s growth in online learning and also leads Pearson UK. He has worked in education for 40 years in qualifications, publishing and learning technologies across schools

FED Ambassador: Pamela Burnard is Professor of Arts, Creativities and Educations at the Faculty of Education, University of Cambridge, UK. She has published 25 books and over 120 articles which

FED Ambassador: John Camp OBE is an innovative leader, both locally and nationally, with a proven track record of system and school transformation. He is skilled in educational leadership and research, system

Sarah is Chief Executive of Inspiration for All, a not for profit social enterprise that harnesses the capabilities of business to work with education to advance social mobility together. Originally

Ben Caulfield is CEO and co-founder of Eedi, an educational technology company that identifies and resolves over 90% of students’ misconceptions using best-in-class pedagogy and fully-qualified tutors. Eedi’s team of

FED Ambassador: Marcus Cherrill. A versatile educator and trainer with over thirty years’ experience. Marcus has trained thousands of teachers in over 30 countries in teaching and learning, STEM and

Sameena Choudry is the founder of Equitable Education Ltd, an educationalconsultancy specialising in closing the attainment gap. She is also co-founderof #WomenEd, a grassroots movement for connecting existing and aspiring

FED Ambassador: Tom Clark CBE was formerly Chief Executive of George Spencer Foundation School and Technology College in Nottingham during which time the school received consecutive ‘outstanding’ Ofsted reports. For

FED Ambassador: Rosie Clayton is an education specialist and entrepreneur with extensive experience working with leaders in schools, colleges, Multi-Academy Trusts, and Government on high-profile innovation and edtech programmes. She

Dr Michelle Clement is Lecturer and Researcher on reform and delivery in government at The Strand Group, King’s College London. She is also Researcher in Residence at No.10 Downing Street.

Dame Julia Cleverdon DCVO, CBE is a passionate and practical campaigner who has gained an international reputation for ‘connecting the unconnected’, inspiring individuals and organisations to work together for the common

Barry qualified as a dentist in 1973 and spent the first twenty five yearsof his career working in mainly NHS general practice and becoming involved in dental politics atprofessional representative

FED Ambassador: Andrew Copson was appointed Chief Executive of Humanists UK in 2009 and elected President of Humanists International in 2015. He is a former director of the Religious Education

Bella Cox is an internationally-acclaimed poet and multi-disciplinary artist now based in London, UK. She has worked for over 6 years as a poet, workshop facilitator, MC, and event producer

Mark Dawe was appointed last year as the Chief Executive of The Skills Network after 4.5 years as CEO of AELP. He is on the Board of WorldSkills UK and AELP as

Phil Denton is the Chief Operating Officer for EdStart Schools. He is a leader within an organisation looking to create a real alternative to mainstream education which transforms the lives

Christian Foley makes it up as he goes along. His freestyles have taken him from the school classroom, to Oprah’s Television Networks and PMQ’s at Westminster, from the festival circuit

FED Ambassador: Trish Franey has been actively involved in the development of leadership and school improvement initiatives at local, regional, and international levels for over twenty years. Under her leadership,

Vivi Friedgut is a fintech entrepreneur and the founder and CEO of Blackbullion, the financial wellbeing platform for students which is available to over 1.2 million young people across dozens

FED Ambassador: Rupert graduated in Law and, following operational service in the British Army, has built a distinguished career in venture capital and has a far-reaching insight into investment into

FED Ambassador: Richard Gerver has been described as one of the most inspirational leaders of his generation. He is an award-winning speaker, bestselling author and world-renowned thinker. Richard began his

FED Ambassador: David Goodhart is a British journalist, commentator and author. He is the founder and a former editor of Prospect magazine. He was a correspondent for the Financial Times

FED Ambassador: Sir Paul Grant is the most senior education advisor to the Liverpool City Region Mayor. He is a native of Liverpool from a very large working class family.

Dr. Neil Hawkes D. Phil (Oxford), MEd, BA, FRSA is internationally well known as an inspirational speaker, educator, broadcaster, author and social commentator.  He is a popular TEDx presenter.  Neil’s

FED Ambassador Michelle Haywood is the CEO and founding Director of Ordinary Classrooms Educational Consultancy Ltd. Michelle is a qualified teacher and skilled System leader, with particular expertise within Special

Stephen has over 25 years’ experience in education including senior roles across several schools in the North West of England most recently that of principal. He has worked in maintained

Jon is the Scholarships Lead for Blackbullion, a leading financial technology company dedicated to supporting young people with financial literacy and wellness. In his role, Jon is creating new ways

Jane Hickie is Chief Executive of the Association of Employment and Learning Providers (AELP). She is responsible for the overall management and strategic direction of the organisation, ensuring that AELP

My name is Chloe Hine, I am 24 years old from the South Coast of England and challenging the stigma around mental health is a passion of mine. I am

Madeleine Holt is a filmmaker, entrepreneur and campaigner in education. Formerly culture correspondent on BBC Newsnight, she makes films about innovative, community-minded comprehensive schools and has made the first in-depth

Professor David Hopkins is currently Chair of Educational Leadership at the University of Bolton, as well as being Professor Emeritus at the Institute of Education, University College London and the

Jason Horne is a Partner at GSV Ventures, a venture capital fund investing in the most dynamic entrepreneurs and companies across digital education and workforce skills. GSV’s portfolio includes ClassDojo,

Matt Hyde is Chief Executive of the Scouts, the UK’s largest youth movement. Formerly Chief Executive of the National Union of Students (NUS), he has undertaken a number of leadership

FED Ambassador: Dr Simon Hyde is General Secretary of HMC, the world’s first association of Headteachers with over three hundred schools in the UK and another 60 internationally. As Head

Aliyah is a fierce change maker and the founder of Pupil Power, a national student-ledmovement challenging the reimagination of the future of education. Her advocacy strives tocentre youth voices; whilst

Howard is CEO of Hub4Leaders & Evaluate-Ed Ltd. He has been involved with the education sector for over 35 years and founded the successful education finance software company HCSS Education,

Dame Sue John was the headteacher of Lampton Academy from 1997 to 2015. During the London Challenge she was the secondary director of the leadership strategy and as a National

James has spent a lifetime fighting to improve the education opportunities and life chances for young people from disadvantaged backgrounds. He is passionate about the role communities and local leadership

FED Ambassador: Jim Knight is the former Minister of State for Schools for the UK Government, and now a member of the House of Lords also working in education, and digital

Sarah is a passionate educator, business leader and champion of enabling life progress through literacy. CEO of Middlesbrough-based Lexonik, Sarah qualified as an English and Drama teacher in 2003, and

Dr Trevor Lee is former principal at Merchant Taylors Prep School, Northwood that has been recognised as excellent in all aspects by the Schools’ Inspectorate. Trevor successfully compiled and presented

A Mancunian by birth, and a Milton Keynesian by adoption, Ann Limb describes herself these days as a philanthropist, mover, and Quaker. Ann’s first career was in the public sector

Chair of The Commission on Young Lives, Former Children’s Commissioner for England, and vulnerable children and Independent Chair, NHS Children and Young People Learning Disability and Autism Board.    Anne

Anthony is immediate past CEO and current Co-Chair of the Washington DC-based National Center on Education and the Economy. He was Inaugural Chair, Australian Institute for Teaching and School Leadership

Geoff is a Fellow of the Inst of Directors, the Royal Society of Chemistry and the Institute of Environmental Management & Accounting. He is also a member of the UK

As Founding Director of Oasis UK, Joy established Oasis as a group of organisations delivering education, housing, health, anti human trafficking and a wide range of local community projects.  When

Javid Mahdavi serves as the Managing Director of Nexus Associates (ICT) and Colwyn Technologies Limited, both dedicated to providing premium ICT services, with a specific emphasis on the Education Sector

FED Ambassador: Jane Mann is Managing Director of the Partnership for Education and Education Director of the International Education Group at Cambridge University Press & Assessment. Jane has worked in

Shane is the managing director of Lsect, an education publishing and events company operating across the UK. He is the publisher of the leading education news outlets Schools Week &

FED Ambassador: Gordon Marsden is a politician, historian , writer and commentator and was MP for Blackpool South from 1997 to 2019. Before entering Parliament Gordon was an Open University

Rob is the CEO at ABE, a non-profit organisation which is dedicated to nurturing young entrepreneurs and business leaders by providing access to education across a range of settings. Before

In a career spanning over 40 years dedicated to raising aspirations and transforming lives through education and training, Stella worked in Further Education (FE) for 30 years starting as a

As Managing Director of Capita Entrust Schools, working with over 6,000 schools across the UK, Claire understands the complexities and challenges faced by those in education, alongside the breadth of

Martin McKay, Texthelp’s CEO, award-winning entrepreneur and innovator, is an EdTech trailblazer with lofty ambitions for the world of literacy. Martin founded Texthelp when he was in his early twenties

FED Ambassador and Learners Council Representative: Benjamin N’gonga is the Lead Marketing and PR for an independent music record label founded by Craig Fenton, Big Community Records. An artist-first social

FED Ambassador: Christine Mullin is a business leader in the technology sector, specializing in B2B SaaS with an extremely successful track record in scaling businesses and leading successful exits including

Olly Newton spent 12 years in the Department for Education working on policies including 14-19 diplomas, raising the participation age and finally as Head of Apprenticeship Strategy. Olly is now

Paul leads Coventry University’s enterprise and innovation work following a successful career spanning over a quarter of a century with the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO), representing and promoting the

Shaun Odili currently works at the charity Versus Arthritis, where he focuses on the intersection between health and work. In his previous role at Bliss he led a research project examining

Dr Vanessa Ogden is CEO of the Mulberry Schools Trust (MST). Vanessa is an NLE and has undertaken a range of school turnaround work. She is an Honorary Academic at

FED Ambassador: Natasha Oppenheim is an advisor, investor and operator in the fields of education and the future of work with a focus on innovation. Natasha advises a wide range

Ambassador: Mary Palmer is the CEO of the Teaching Awards Trust, an educational charity that celebrate and recognises the impact of educators across the UK via the Pearson National Teaching

FED Ambassador: Dr Nicole Ponsford is an award-winning educator, researcher, EdTech founder, and creator of the Global Equality Collective (GEC). Recognised as BESA Person of the Year and listed on

Vikas Pota: is the Founder of T4 Education, a digital platform he established as a response to the challenges posed by the pandemic on education, globally. T4 seeks to strengthen

Lorenzo is the Digital and Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning Lead at the Tony Blair Institute. He specialises in leading the development of large-scale digital learning platforms and in evaluating

Justyn Randall has over 20 years’ experience building and scaling global businesses in recruitment, digital technology, HR consultancy, healthcare and education. Prior to Opogo, Justyn scaled Global Group internationally to

Lord Rami Ranger CBE, FRSA, is a British Peer and a successful businessman honoured by Her Majesty the Queen on Eight occasions. Six times for Business and twice personally for

Founder & CEO, Skills Builder Partnership Tom founded the Skills Builder Partnership in 2009, whilst a secondary school teacher in Hackney. The Skills Builder Partnership brings together a global group

FED Ambassador: Melissa Richardson MBE. Starting her career as an apprentice in British Airways, Mel has been inspired by working with young people. Since her career journey began in 2012,

Richardson’s passion for blending his technology background with education stems from his time as a US Peace Corps Volunteer in Senegal (1993-1995) and as Country Director of The International Rescue

Catherine Roche is the Chief Executive of Place2Be. She began her career in teaching before completing an MBA and joining KPMG. Her pro bono support for Place2Be from 1996 inspired

Professor Toby Salt was the Chief Executive of Ormiston Academies Trust, a group of over 42 schools, where the team doubled the number of schools and raised education standards. Toby

Sir Anthony Seldon is one of Britain’s leading contemporary historians, educationalists, commentators and political authors. Artificial intelligence and well-being in education are two of his specialist areas. He was a

FED Ambassador: Steve Smith joined SIAS in January 2022 as Managing Director, under his stewardship SIAS has quickly become one of the fastest growing End-Point-Assessment and Awarding Organisations nationally, positively

Tony Staneff has over three decades of experience in education, with an impressive track record of improving teaching and learning outcomes. His career has spanned roles as a teacher, Advanced

Alastair Stewartis a presenter on GB News and will host a news and current affairs programme on Saturdays and Sundays. Before that, he presented a range of news and current

Robert is Chairman of Royal National Children’s SpringBoard Foundation, an educational charity providing boarding bursaries and other educational opportunities to children from some of the most deprived communities in the

David has over 35 years’ business experience, of which 25 years has been at board-level. He has deep expertise in PR, communications, strategy, sales and negotiation, from working at a

FED Ambassador: Patrick Wall is the Co-Founder of the Centre for Education Systems (CES.partners), building international comparative reviews to support policy making discussions. Patrick is also founder of edpol.net, a

Les Walton has a unique record of being a successful leader and innovator within most education sectors. As Headteacher, his school was identified by HMI as ‘one of the most

Dawn is Chair of the World Federation of Colleges and Polytechnics and is the Chief Executive of Burton and South Derbyshire College in the UK.  She is also Deputy Chair