Our People

Our Trustees, staff and associates are all credible School and MAT Leaders that have personal and organisational expertise, and are passionate about raising standards in education.

Trustees

Chris Abbott

Chair of Trustees

I have been a Headteacher for over 20 years and am former CEO of The Education Alliance. I am the Teaching School Representative for South Yorkshire and Humber. I am Chair of the outstanding Yorkshire Wolds SCITT and a former member of the Headteacher Board for East Midlands and the Humber. I am committed to ensuring all children, from whatever background, get the very best education and that all staff are given the support and training to excel. I am proud to be Chair of Inspiring Leaders, with its focus on collaboration, high quality and ethical leadership.

Andy Burns (OBE)

Trustee

I have been Principal of The Redhill Academy since 2004, an NLE since 2009 and am currently Executive Principal of The Redhill Trust.
I believe that school leadership is all about leading the extended team of staff towards a clearly defined core purpose of raising student achievement. Everything else must be peripheral to this. Yet to accomplish this goal, our future leaders will need a complex range of skills including clear communication, decision making, emotional intelligence and trust-building. I am confident that the Inspiring Leaders programmes will deliver these skills and more to participants.

Chris Wheatley (OBE)

Trustee

I am Chief Executive of the Flying High Trust, having previously been headteacher of Cotgrave Candleby Lane School for over ten years and an NLE. I am also the East Midlands and Yorkshire and Humberside representative on the Teaching School Council, coordinating the collaborative school led system.
I personally believe that effective school leadership is the single most important factor to achieving a successful school. I am determined to ensure that Inspiring Leaders create talented school leadership for the future. School leadership is safe in our hands.

Liz Anderson

Trustee

I am CEO of Djanogly Learning Trust, a multi-academy trust based across Nottingham and Derbyshire. A former headteacher and NLE, my mantra is “we always put children first” and all decisions at every level are filtered through this belief. It is my passion to make a difference and ensure that all children get the same opportunities to succeed at a high level. 

Paul Stone

Trustee

I am currently CEO of Discovery Trust, containing 15 schools in Leicestershire. Prior to this, I was a Headteacher for 16 years in two small rural primaries and lastly Kibworth CE Primary School. I believe developing high-quality leaders is essential for schools and trusts to move forward and ultimately for children to reach their potential. 

Julie Rosborough

Trustee

I am the MBA Portfolio Lead at Nottingham Trent University. The Executive MBA is underpinned by the Senior Leadership Masters Degree Apprenticeship and supported by the Chartered Management Institute, much of my time is spent managing those partnerships. During my 11 year academic career, I have designed, recruited students, delivered and assessed courses at Masters level. 

Sarah Lorking

Trustee

I have worked as a finance professional for over 20 years and led numerous teams in various organisations. I have spent most of my career working in the NHS and Healthcare, and more recently in the Education sector and charities sector. I am passionate about leadership development, especially those working in MAT central teams and know how important all staff are in making a difference to children’s lives.

 

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Central Team

James Brown

Managing Director

I have worked in the schools and MATs sector since 2007 working in a range of contexts across the region. I am passionate about children getting the best possible start in life and the role that teachers and leaders play in making this a reality.

Prior to joining Inspiring Leaders, I was a Teaching School Director and Deputy CEO at Discovery Trust and established the Inspiring Leaders Teacher Training (SCITT) in 2014.

I use the experiences I have gained in these roles to ensure Inspiring Leaders is a well led organisation, helping us to become the partnership of choice in the region for aspirant teachers and MAT leaders.

Ben Jordan

Operations Manager

I have responsibility for the operational management of Inspiring Leaders which includes a wide range of duties including communications, marketing, financial management and importantly supporting our partners and colleagues. I have worked in the education sector for 10 years and am a qualified teacher, project manager and coach. I  am a passionate learner and read extensively about leadership and innovation which helps me to shape my work and the work of Inspiring Leaders.

Dirk Smith

SCITT Programme Director

I am passionate about the outcomes and lives of children. I believe that my role overseeing our teacher training programme provides me with the best platform to have the greatest impact. I strive to ensure that our programme is innovative and sector leading, with a structure of quality assurance that secures the best standard of provision for our trainee teachers.

Paul Goodman

Strategy Consultant and Deputy CEO at Flying High Trust

I am Deputy CEO at Flying High Trust and the strategic support lead for Inspiring Leaders. I am committed to improving outcomes for children and firmly believe that effective school leadership holds the key to this. I passionately believe that the best leaders must be utilised to support and develop the leaders of tomorrow and that through the passion and the commitment of our schools and partners, we have a real influence on improving the outcomes for all children.

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Associate Leaders

Our Associate Leaders support key pieces of work we undertake and add valuable expertise and capacity to Inspiring Leaders.

Graeme Robins

As former Director of Programmes with Inspiring Leaders, I have vast experience of designing and delivering leadership and coaching training for schools and MATs.

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Associate NLEs

Our associate NLEs come from partner trusts from across the country and are valued partners of Inspiring Leaders.

Sir Andrew Carter

Andrew was the Vice Chair of the Teaching Schools Council from 2011 till 2015 and now serves as Peer Member, supporting the Council.

Amanda Bennett OBE

Having previously been Headteacher and senior leader at The Greetland Academy for over 20 years Amanda is currently Executive Principal and CEO of her MAT.

Sarah Bennett

In July 2016, Sarah became CEO of the newly-formed Inspiring Futures through Learning (IFtL), an ambitious and growing Multi-Academy Trust of primary-aged schools in and close to Milton Keynes.

Mike Donoghue

Mike currently serves as the Chief Executive Officer of the John Taylor Multi-Academy Trust, the Accounting Officer for the National Forest Teaching School and the John Taylor SCITT.

Amanda Parry

Amanda has been a senior leader for the past 14 years over a wide range of schools both in Australia and the UK. For the past 11 years she has been the Deputy Headteacher at Thornden School.

John Hardy OBE

John became the headteacher of St. John Vianney Primary School in Hartlepool in January 2004. The school welcomes learners from nought to ninety and beyond through early education, nursery, school, family learning and adult education.

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