Professor Steve Munby
Steve Munby is a globally acclaimed speaker on leadership and on system reform. He has spent his whole career in education, commencing as a secondary school teacher in Birmingham. He later became Director of Education for Knowsley Local Education Authority in Merseyside. Steve was Chief Executive of the National College for School Leadership in England for 8 years and then Chief Executive of Education Development Trust, an international education charity. Steve is Visiting Professor at University College London Centre for Educational Leadership, Honorary Visiting Professor at Liverpool Hope University and is Chair of the Teaching Awards Trust in the UK.
Steve’s publications include: “Imperfect Leadership , A book for leaders who know they don’t know it all” Crown House, 2019. His new book: “Imperfect Leadership in Action, a practical book for school leaders who know they don’t know it all”, co-authored with Marie-Claire Bretherton, was published in March 2022 (Crown House).
Maggie Farrar
Maggie’s career began as a teacher in London schools, an experience which led to her working in Birmingham Local Education Authority before joining the team at National College for School Leadership (NCSL) as Director of Leadership Development.
Maggie now works with organisations, Local Authorities and groups of schools in the UK and internationally including Education Development Trust and leadership organisations in Australia.
For many years, Maggie’s work has been influenced by her own personal mindfulness practice. Following her formal training as a teacher with the Oxford University Mindfulness Centre this is now a major focus of her work supporting individuals and groups of leaders to cultivate mindfulness in their lives and work.
Sir David Carter
Sir David was the product of a comprehensive school in South Wales and was the first member of his family to go to university. Making a difference to the lives of children has been a huge motivation to him throughout his career. He began teaching in 1983 as a music teacher and over the next 30 years be became a LA music advisor ,a Headteacher, Executive Head and CEO.
He was appointed to the post of English National Schools Commissioner (NSC) at the Department for Education (DfE) in February 2016 having had the majority of his previous leadership experience in the school system. As NSC, his focus was firmly on building capacity so that the trusts that run our most challenging schools can sustain improvement over time.
He is passionate about supporting School Leadership including governors in their mission to improve outcomes for all .
Anita Devi
As a former SENCO, Senior Leader, School Improvement Advisor, and local authority SEND Advisory Teacher and Healthwatch Trustee Anita Devi carries a wealth of experience in developing leaders of learning.
Her own teaching career spans early years to post graduate in the UK and overseas and Anita lives her why through her belief in the joy of learning.
In 2017, Anita was awarded the prestigious international Influential Educational Leaders Award for her SEND Pipeline strategy developing professional from initial teacher training to advanced and experienced SENCOs. Anita is author of the first SEND book for Early Career Teachers and has contributed to several other publications. Anita submitted her PhD thesis on the career trajectory of a SENCO (beyond the NASENCO) in December 2021.
Dr Andy Cope
Dr Andy Cope is a qualified teacher, best-selling author, happiness expert and the UK’s only Dr of Happiness. In times of rising depression and an epidemic of anxiety, Andy believes there has never been a more appropriate time to raise the wellbeing agenda.
Andy is lucky enough to work with across the corporate and education sectors globally working wth organisations such as DHL, Kelloggs, Hewlett Packard, Astra Zeneca, Nationwide and UEFA.
Andy’s books are frequently on the best-sellers list. ‘The Art of Being Brilliant’, ‘Shine’, ‘The Little Book of Emotional Intelligence’ and ‘Zest’ have all topped the personal development charts. For schools Andy has also penned ‘The Art of Being a Brilliant Teenager’ and ‘Diary of a Brilliant Kid’.
Andy is a sought-after keynote speaker on employee engagement, wellbeing and human flourishing.
Rob Carpenter
Rob Carpenter is Chief Executive of the Inspire Partnership, a multi-academy trust of 9 primary schools serving communities in Croydon, Medway and Greenwich in London and Kent. He is also a National Leader of Education and senior partner with Challenge Partners.
Rob has experience of school leadership in a range of contexts, including schools in special measures and schools serving a high proportion of disadvantaged pupils.
Rob is also a member, and primary representative on the ASCL Council.
In 2016, Rob worked with the Department for Education and Teaching School Council to review primary teaching across England.
Rob is also the author of ‘A Manifesto for Excellence in Schools’ and regularly writes blogs about education and school improvement accessed by British curriculum schools worldwide.
Sian Carr OBE
Sian has many years' experience in the field of education. She has been an MFL teacher, Senior Leader, Principal, Executive Principal and System Leader both home and abroad.
Sian has also served as a Director of Eastern Leadership Centre (UK) and as an Operational Director of National College for School Leadership (NCSL). Additionally, Sian has served as Board member for the International Baccalaureate and also UCAS.
Until very recently Sian was the Director of Education for Asia International Schools Ltd, which oversees the Harrow International Schools in China, Thailand and Hong Kong.
Sian was recently awarded an OBE for her services to education in the Birthday Honours List for 2020.
