Interested in speaking at BRILLIANT 2025?

Shape the future of education and inspire the next generation!

We are seeking passionate and innovative educators, thought leaders, and industry experts to share their groundbreaking ideas. Join a dynamic community of like-minded individuals, learn from each other, promote collaboration between industry and education and elevate your voice to leave a lasting impact on the field of learning.

**Please submit your application by Thursday 17th April 2025**

ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE

  • AI in Education: Hype vs Reality

  • Workload Reduction

  • AI Literacy: What Educators & Students Need to Know

  • Digital Ethics: Bias, Policy & Regulation

  • Human Intelligence vs AI: Finding The Balance

  • AI & Personalised Learning: Companion or Replacement?

STEAM CREATIVITY

  • Creativity in STEAM: The “A” That Drives Innovation

  • Problem-Solving Over Rote Learning

  • Interdisciplinary Thinking: Breaking Subject Silos

  • From Concept to Creation: Hands-on Innovation

  • Artistic Expression in Science and Technology

  • Diversity & Inclusivity in STEAM

  • Design and Technology

TECH

  • Tech Trends: What’s Now & What’s Next

  • EdTech to PedTech: From Tools to Transformation

  • Adaptive & Inclusive Tech for SEND & Neurodiverse Students

  • Social Media & Digital Literacy in Schools

  • Classroom of NOW: Hands-on Learning Experiences

  • Low-Cost Tech: Bridging the Access Gap

  • Tech Awareness and Procurement Support

INDUSTRY & FUTURE CAREERS

  • Future Skills and Careers for Industry 4.0

  • Bridging the Gap between Education & Workforce Demands

  • The Changing Workforce: Preparing for the Unknown

  • What Industry Needs from Schools & What Schools Need from Industry

  • The Role of Universities: Are They Preparing Students for Work?

  • Entrepreneurship in Education: Teaching Students to Build, Not Just Work

  • Career Pathways: From Primary School to the Workforce

  • Social Mobility & Equal Access to Opportunities

WELL-BEING & MINDSET

  • Teacher Well-being: Supporting Those Who Support Students

  • The Role of Nature, Diet & Mental Health in Learning

  • Student Purpose & Motivation: Beyond the Classroom

  • Preparing Students for Life, Not Just Exams

  • Digital Well-being & Managing Screen Time

DIVERSITY, EQUITY & INCLUSION

  • Representation in Tech & Digital Careers

  • Digital Poverty: Closing the Divide

  • Accessibility and Universal Design

  • Diversity in STEAM: Driving Change for Underrepresented Groups

  • Embedding DE&I in the Curriculum

  • Women in Tech: Inspiring the Next Generation

  • Building Inclusive School Cultures

SEND & INCLUSIVITY

  • Adaptive Strategies & Tech: Tools That Truly Make a Difference

  • Universal Design for Learning: Making Education Accessible for All

  • The Role of AI & Assistive Tech

  • Supporting Neurodiverse Learners: Strategies for Success

  • Teacher Training & SEND: Closing the Knowledge Gap

  • The Future of Alternative Provision & Inclusive Schools

ESPORTS & GAMIFICATION

  • Esports in Schools: More Than Just Play

  • Gamification for Engagement & Learning

  • Esports and Inclusion

  • Game Design & Development: A New Career Pathway

  • Physical Well-being in Esports & Digital Learning

  • The Role of Esports in STEM Education

SUSTAINABILITY

  • Green Skills: Education’s Role in Tackling Climate Change

  • Green Tech: Tools for a Sustainable Future

  • Embedding Sustainability in the Curriculum

  • Sustainable Digital Practices: Responsible Innovation & Consumption

  • Careers in Sustainability: The Next Big Job Market

  • Industry Partnerships: How Businesses Can Support Green Education

  • Digital Climate Action Plans for Schools

I’m interested in speaking

Be a part of the conversation at BRILLIANT.

Four dynamic theatres offer a continuous flow of thought-provoking content, while engaging talks promote meaningful connections and an exchange of ideas.

If you would like to take part in our mission to empower educators, transform education and prepare students for the brilliant futures that lie ahead; please submit your application to speak below.

Speakers at BRILLIANT 24

  • Ben Abbott is a seasoned education technology specialist with a deep-rooted passion for transforming learning experiences. As the LEGO Education Lead at Getech, Ben is at the forefront of driving innovation and accessibility in STEM education.

    With a keen focus on addressing the challenge of 'we love it but how can we afford it?' Ben is committed to bridging the gap between industry and education. By leveraging the power of LEGO Education tools, they create bespoke solutions through the STEMBrick Outreach initiative, ensuring that all students have equal opportunities to explore their creativity, develop essential 21st-century skills and have a better understanding of potential career pathways.

    Possessing over a decade of experience in the education sector, Ben has a proven track record of delivering impactful solutions. Their previous roles as Education Account Manager at LapSafe and Getech equipped them with a comprehensive understanding of the evolving needs of educational institutions.

    Ben is dedicated to empowering educators, widening participation within the STEM industry and inspiring future generations. 

  • Steven Baker is the CEO of The People’s Learning Trust. He has led four schools to outstanding Ofsted judgements across a range of sectors and is a former Ofsted Inspector. In 2019, Steven was made a Founding Fellow of the Chartered College of Teaching for his ‘significant and sustained’ impact on teaching and he has previously worked with the Ministry of Justice in youth and adult establishments nationwide as they focus their efforts on developing a culture of rehabilitation.

    The schools he has led have won a range of national awards for their compassionate, trauma-informed approach and the Department for Education cited them as an example of best practice in mental health due to their focus on supporting student and staff well-being. Steven co-authored a critically acclaimed book about this approach (A School Without Sanctions, Bloomsbury) which was published in October 2020. He sits on the Advisory Board for the Centre for Educational Leadership at Liverpool John Moores University, the Advisory Board for the think tank Learnus and the Mental Health Stakeholder Forum for the Crown Prosecution Service. Steven is also a lead judge for the Pearson National Teaching Awards.

    In addition to his work in education, Steven helped develop a ground-breaking place-based change project with the aim of tackling deprivation, and improving outcomes for all, across an entire community (www.cradle2career.org.uk). The outcomes achieved by the project to date have been outstanding and the Liverpool City Region Metro Mayor has committed to rolling it out across all Local Authorities in the region.

    A former United Nations war crimes investigator, Steven received the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service as a member of the Remembering Srebrenica Northwest Board and was awarded an OBE in the 2020 Queen’s Birthday Honours List, in recognition of his services to education and tackling hatred.

  • Victoria Bagnall is a world-renowned speaker and author on executive functioning, brain development and behaviour. She is the co-founder of Connections in Mind and has dedicated her life to raising awareness about neurological differences, executive functioning and brain states. She believes that this knowledge has the power to bring about significant societal change by fostering a culture of neuro-inclusion. As a teacher by profession, her skill lies in translating complex neuroscientific findings into engaging, thought provoking learning experiences.

  • Trudi Barrow is Design and Technology adviser at CLEAPSS, where she also edits the Futureminds digital magazine. She is on the practitioner panel for AI-In-Education and the Expert Group for Oak National Academy.

    Recognised for her teaching, Trudi was awarded the James Dyson Award for an outstanding D&T teacher in 2022 by the Design and Technology Association. Her commitment to professional development in education is further evidenced by her completion of a National Professional Qualification in Leading Teacher Development (NPQLTD).

    Beyond her teaching roles, Trudi contributes to the wider educational community as an Alban Education Expert for the Alban Teaching School Hub and leads the D&T Network on behalf of Alban Education. Trudi supports several schools in their strategic planning in design and technology.

  • I am, and always will be, a passionate English Teacher, having been the Principal in a large state school in Oldham and having opened a free school in Bradford, sustaining a quality provision for some of the most vulnerable children and young people in the North West.

    I love my job and I am really humbled to be in a position of power and influence to advocate for children and young people and strive for inclusive cultures and practices.  I believe that in my role I need to listen and pass the metaphorical microphone to young people and make space for them around the table to lead change and reforms in Education and Inclusion.  I am passionate about anti-racism in education and the workplace; and believe we are all on our personal journeys in this space of work but if there is anything we can be, we can be kind. 

    As a team player, I value collaboration, honesty and feedback. I believe in the power of connection and know that having strong relationships will enable positive disruption and growth, both professionally and personally.  I am a proud geek and love to understand the data to ensure I am as evidence driven, research informed and as granular as I can be when looking at developing and growing an area. I believe together we can be brave and bold to make a difference to children and young people.

  • Lynne specialises in science and engineering education, with a focus on the primary phase and student-led learning. She became Director of the SEERIH in 2014 and has a well-established profile in the areas of teaching, learning and assessment of school science and engineering. She is an academic in the Faculty of Science & Engineering, applying her teaching and learning to UG and PGT students. She holds the role of Vice Dean for SREDIA overseeing the work of the Faculty in EDIA, Engagement (public, civic and outreach) and Environmental Sustainability.

  • Joanne Bocko has wide ranging experience in safeguarding across a number of sectors. Starting her career as a primary school teacher, she worked in an Outstanding school, before moving into supply work. This gave her the ability to understand the wide range of differences between schools and the challenges that they face. Led by her compassion for those in need, she moved into the police supporting victims of crime with a specialism for those experiencing domestic abuse before working in the cybercrime team supporting schools and students with online safety issues. Through this role she headed up campaigns for online offences and appeared on the BBC and Radio One newsbeat.
    Her passion for schools brought her into the Local Authority, where as a Safeguarding in Education Officer she provided training, support and consultancy to all schools in her county. Joanne brings her creativity, passion for training and multi-agency experience to Judicium.

  • Spearheading the integration of technology into the very heart of the learning experience. A passionate advocate for education, Zaitoon's mission is to empower both teachers and students through the strategic use of digital tools.

    Currently leading the charge in implementing the Trust's Digital Strategy, a bold vision for a unified educational platform that fosters collaboration, eases staff burdens, and elevates pedagogical expertise.

    Driven by a deep understanding of both education and technology, Zaitoon brings a wealth of experience to the table. With over 14 years in the classroom and 6 years of dedicated EdTech expertise, she is a Google Certified Trainer, Google Certified Innovator, and Google Certified Coach. This diverse skill set allows her to bridge the gap between theory and practice, ensuring the effective implementation of digital solutions that truly benefit students and teachers alike.

  • Chris has been involved with STEM projects in education for over 15 years. In 2008 he was part of the team that created the Toyota Technology Challenge, a STEM competition that engaged tens of thousands of secondary school students in the UK. Chris is now part of the VEX Robotics team supporting teachers in primary schools, secondary schools and colleges to deliver STEM and computer science using robotics and robotics competitions.

  • Jon has been a primary school teacher senior leader in Manchester for over 10 years. Alongside his school-based work, Jon has held posts including Directorships of Computing At School and Barfoot computing. Jon leads the Computing PGCE at The University of Manchester and has contributed to several books on computing education. He works with schools nationally and internationally to improve computing provision and has a particular interest in leveraging AI to improve education for all.

  • Over the last decade, Piers successfully placed thousands of candidates with hundreds of clients in Investment Banking, Private Equity and Legal. At 22, Piers was the youngest equity holder in Dartmouth Partners Group and took the business from £0 to £5M ARR.  Through this experience he found that he was not placing the best talent but the people that knew most about the industry, usually through their parents. This led him on a mission to create a level playing field for all young people to access the right career for them and the seed for hundo was planted.

  • A dad who is humbled to have got to a stage in his life forWired andThe Guardian to have said I'm a ‘man on a mission’. Which was nice.

    Today I'm up to my neck in creativity, literacy and connecting.

    My elevator pitch sums up what got me here:

    I have a Masters in electronics, top grade design A-level and a motor mouth.

    So I understand tech, am creatively aware and love selling a good story. It’s a killer combination that’s got me into all sorts of trouble.

    But creativity, education and community is the best story I've ever had the chance to sell.

    Inspired by Sir Ken Robinson's No 1 TED talk on creativity in education and a bunch of creatives in a corner of a field at a festival, I co-founded STEAM Co. – a non-profit charitable social enterprise that 'powers communities to inspire children with creativity'.

    STEAM Co. has received global media coverage and, I’m told, touched lives.

    Two years ago I refocussed my career trajectory to develop STEAM Co. as a social movement to roll it out to every Primary School in every community across the UK.

    Most importantly, I've helped build a social movement that has seen creatives, teachers, business people and parents come together to inspire children with creativity at STEAM Co. Days in schools across the country from London to Newcastle and Cornwall to Liverpool.

  • Alan's distinguished career in education spans over three decades, encompassing roles as a teacher, leader, and consultant. As the Director of Education at hi-impact, he has developed innovative curriculum mapping processes and CPD programs that empower educators to effectively integrate technology into their classrooms. His team's expertise in computing education has been widely recognised. Alan leads a dedicated team of consultants at hi-impact, delivering transformative technology training to educators worldwide.

  • Nachelle has worked across various industries and currently works with global clients in leadership and communication training (Google Cloud,UiPath & SAP).

    Flying solo with 3 children for the last 11 years, she wanted to give her children the best education opportunities and sent them to well-known private schools.With her experiences of heading up a team of ex SBS & SAS military personnel on a private reconnaissance mission looking for missing and abducted children across Europe she began looking at injustices where children are concerned. 

    Raising three children alone, her goal was to instill emotional intelligence, confidence, resilience, and life skills for them to ‘show up’ as a decent, capable adult. When her children became teenagers, it was apparent that teens liked to push the boundaries, take risks and stand in their own power (usually from the age of 14).

    This is when she started Evolve Generation, originally supporting teens and young adults with an idea to develop a mental health app, however due to the urgent mental health need, pre -covid, Nachelle put a team of experts together and started working with teens in schools, where young adults felt safe enough to have open and difficult conversations.

    Covid hit the country and a Facebook community of over 600 people from her parental community joined her and her team of experts online on how to support the teens during this period. After the Gavin Williamson grades debacle, where A level and GCSE students were marked down due to an algorithm, it was then Nachelle set about creating a very different education experience from her knowledge gained from the parental lived experience. That was 4 years ago. The education system today is trying to solve new world problems with old world thinking.

  • A scientist and educationalist, Andrew started his career in Developmental Neuroscience research at King’s College London, and subsequently moved into science education, graduating with a PGCE and subsequently a Masters in Educational Leadership. After a number of years in the classroom and subsequent leadership roles within mainstream education, including Sixth Form Director and Head of a Senior School, Andrew joined the Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry.

    In his current role as Director of Education and Examination Policy & Partnerships, Andrew has focused on driving the Association’s education agenda to ensure access to a skilled workforce and inspiring STEM education – including delivery of the ABPI education initiatives covering primary school to medical school. Andrew’s most recent publication can be found here: New research shows why Gen-Z is choosing to work in pharma (abpi.org.uk)

    Alongside education and skills policy development, Andrew directs ABPI Professional Exams – Ofqual regulated accredited qualifications for industry personnel to meet mandatory competency.

    Andrew’s public speaking engagements have covered topics including: apprenticeships, STEM education, digital skills, professional examination standards and equality, diversity & inclusion – from conferences to parliamentary committee evidence sessions.


    Currently, Andrew sits on: King’s College London Scientific Advisory Board; STEM Learning UK Regional Advisory Board; National Institute for Health Research Leadership Programme Advisory Board.

    Andrew remains passionate about STEM education, workforce development, lifelong learning and informed career choices to support fulfilling careers.

  • Ben Davies is the Computing Subject Lead (Primary) at BCS - The Chartered Institute of IT Professionals. With over two decades of experience in education, Ben brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to his role.

    Prior to joining BCS, Ben spent 23 years as a primary school teacher, during which he held several key positions. These included serving as a Specialist Leader of Education (SLE) for Computing and ICT, as well as a Local Authority lead practitioner for ICT. His extensive background also includes experience as an Initial Teacher Training (ITT) trainer. Beyond his formal roles, Ben is an accomplished content creator and co-author of a series of primary school computing textbooks.

  • Dr Charuni's journey began as a civil engineer, and her passion for education led her to pursue a PhD in water treatment, specializing in securing safe drinking water. With over a decade of teaching and research experience in the UK and internationally, she brings a wealth of knowledge and practical expertise to her work.

    Her dedication to innovation was recognized internationally when she received the prestigious King Sejong Order of Merit Award at the World Inventor Awards 2014 held in Seoul, South Korea. Join Dr. Charuni at the "Bringing STEAM into the Classroom" panel discussion, where you'll discover effective techniques to integrate STEAM concepts across different subjects. You'll also learn proven tips to empower students to tackle global challenges with confidence. Whether you're a seasoned educator or just starting out, Dr. Charuni’s session has something for everyone. Leave feeling inspired and equipped to take your STEAM teaching to the next level!

  • Austin joined techUK’s Central Government team in March 2024 to launch a workstream within Education and EdTech.

    With a career spanning technology, policy, media, events and comms, Austin has worked with technology communities, as well as policy leaders and practitioners in Education, Central and Local Government and the NHS.

    Cutting his teeth working for Skills Matter, London’s developer community hub, Austin then moved to GovNet Communications where he launched Blockchain Live and the Cyber Security and Data Protection Summit. For the last 3 years he has worked with leaders in Education across the state and independent schools sectors, from primary up to higher education, with a strong research interest in technology and education management.

  • Richard has worked in the education sector since 2009; both within UK schools as a science teacher and for an international education company and UK awarding body. Richard supports schools, multi-academy trusts and non-school partners with their Talk The Talk programmes, as well as driving the fundraising activity for the charity.

  • Ben Edmonds is a multi-patented Engineer, Innovator, public speaker and Home Ed Dad who has worked in several different industries including 12 years at Dyson leading teams in New Product Innovation. More recently he splits his time between design consultancy and helping those working in education to bring more innovation and problem solving into classrooms. Whether it's senior leadership teams, organisations or individuals, he enjoys solving the problems that they can’t. Outside of the day job, he is the co-founder of Inventor Club teaching young people innovation, problem solving and engineering having worked with over 10,000 young people over the last 7 years. He lectures, provides CPD, workshops and talks at various universities, schools, and businesses, and in his spare time he’s always working on multiple creative commissions from furniture to consumer products. He’s a dad of 3 girls with a passion and a mission to see more females in engineering roles. He loves classic minis and is currently undertaking a nut and bolt restoration and customisation of a 1990 Mini Mayfair!

  • Belinda has been a Primary Teacher for over 18 years and an advanced skills teacher for the borough of Lewisham in her last three years of teaching. After leaving the full-time classroom Belinda worked for local authorities and education providers as a computing consultant supporting schools across London with implementing and resourcing primary computing. She has supported LGfL for many years, especially in creating many of the curriculum support materials for the learning resources.

  • Paul is a Google Certified innovator and Trainer helping schools, colleges and universities successfully adopt Google Workspace for more than 12 years as the Training and Consultancy Manager for C-Learning and who knows how to engage teachers and encourage them to see themselves as learners - even on Friday afternoons!

    Prior to C-Learning,  Paul is an experienced music, drama, dance and ICT teacher for 19 years before moving to be a consultant at the start of ICT strand of Secondary Strategy in 2005 working with a wide range of Local Education Authorities and commercial organisations.

  • Following her PhD Jo has had a successful career in education, and dedicated four years working as a Teaching and Learning Consultant for Cornwall Council, improving science education county-wide.

    Her passion extended beyond the classroom, as she authored textbooks, articles for educational publications, and served as a Times Education Supplement STEM School of the Year Judge in 2020 and 2021. Jo has spoken at many national conferences about her work, including the Schools and Academies Show, the Association of Science Education Conference and the national Achievement for All conference.

    At Camborne Science and International Academy in 2015, Jo established "Nexus" and the "Cornwall School of Maths and Science," fostering the high potential of students from all backgrounds in STEM fields.

    Jo's commitment to real research led her to become a Trustee of the newly formed Institute for Research in Schools (IRIS) in 2017. Her dedication and expertise were further recognized in 2019 with invitations to join the Education Committee of the Royal Society and become a Trustee of the Science Museum Group, on which she served until 2022 and 2021 respectively.

    Since assuming the role of Director at IRIS in 2019, Jo has significantly expanded the organization, building a fantastic team that has facilitated real research in around 10% of UK secondary schools. A key focus has been ensuring research accessibility for all types of schools, and Jo remains passionately dedicated to ensuring every young person can engage in real research within schools. Her current focus is on expanding IRIS's reach across the UK, leading a call for curricular change that would allow every young person to experience real research.

  • James is the director of his company, Fraser Esports, the first company in the world to run the esports online BTEC. He is also a global speaker, author, mentor, and ambassador for esports and education, collaborating with prestigious organisations such as Microsoft, Fnatic, NASEF, Gameplan, and Yoyotech.  His mission is to link students with the best work experience opportunities and employers, and to prepare them for the ever-changing workforce and provide support to those in education wanting to discover how esports can help all students.

  • Ben leads the content development and thought leadership on AI literacy education. Currently working on Experience AI resources developed in collaboration with Google DeepMind and the Raspberry PI research team to make sure resources are developed by experts in AI, pedagogy and are research informed.

  • Laura, known to her network as LG,  is a passionate individual, dedicated to empowering educators and inspiring the next generation through the development of STEM skills.
    She works full time for Enginuity; a charity focused on closing the skills gap in the engineering and manufacturing sector through innovative solutions.
    In her role as the Solutions Innovation & Impact Manager, she and the team develop and deploy innovative solutions to address the skills gap in the engineering and manufacturing sectors.
    With over a decade of experience in STEM education, LG has successfully managed large-scale and complex projects and has crafted an intricate network of contacts from around the world, all of whom engage and support STEM
    Her career to date has seen her:

    • Launch the New Scientist Live in 2016 to an audience of over 40,000 at the ExCel in London; then being recognised as one of the 30under30 in the events sector

    • Manage a £300k annual budget and over 300 volunteers at Electrocomponents Plc for the STEM Outreach Programme; subsequently being awarded Engineering Ambassador of the Year in 2018 for her work in bridging the Engineering Skills gap.

    • Becoming (in her own words) the accidental Founder of a STEM Consultant agency, The STEM Project, in 2019; of whom count STEM Learning, The 1851 Trust, Leeds Museum and Galleries and The RAF as some of their key clients to date.

    • Develop and deploy an impactful and forward-thinking Digital Skills Framework for Birmingham Digital Futures, for the University of Birmingham, which engaged over 30,000 students in the space of 9 months across the West Midlands through the culmination of industry and education collaboration.

    She holds a Bachelor’s in Zoology with Animal Ecology from the University of Bangor and a Master’s in STEM Education from King’s College London.
    LG join's BRILLIANT to share her expertise on developing digital skills to support in creating impactful digital futures in education; by helping address one of the biggest challenges faced today, Understanding the use of AI in Industry and Education.

  • Carol’s passion is cocreating with others to astound themselves with what they are capable of.

    Carol is a ginger, punk-inspired maverick thinker, leader, speaker, Executive, Leadership, Team and Positive Psychology Coach & Mentor, from the Isle of Man. Her own innate “Coach/Leader” style, lead to roles as C-suite leader in world retail, and public sector CEO. Recent clients include Amazon, ABP and Deloitte. As a Director of IOM Chamber of Commerce and a school and college governor, she’s spent the last 2 years observing, exploring and reflecting on how educators and industry can enable the future of work by creating safe spaces to develop mutual understanding, share knowledge and expertise and co-create around future trends and learning for life. Her world vibrates to a positive, ever-changing playlist of music, reading, theatre, art, laughter, dancing, nature, sport, miniature schnauzer walks, mentoring young business founders and her own growth.

  • Ty is Chair of Edtech UK, accelerating the edtech sector in the UK, and world-wide.

    He is a well-respected influencer, globally-recognised adviser on education reform, #Edtech and the future of education and writer. He is a member of the DfE Edtech Leadership Group and recently led on the Dfe-funded Edtech Demonstrator Programme - a national network of over 50 schools and colleges, supporting remote education from the first lockdown in March 2020. This resulted in support for 4,000 schools and colleges across England - helping over 200,000 classroom staff and 2 million learners in just one year.

    Previously, Ty worked as an adviser to the Department for Education on Extended Schools, and founded an influential public/private membership charity, British Council for School Environments. 

    Ty was also elected to Lambeth Council and became Chair of Education.  He has also worked as the UK and European Public Affairs adviser to the NSPCC, and as the first National Campaigns Co-ordinator for Scope, the disability charity.

    Ty is also Co-Founder of The Education Foundation, an independent organisation driving reform, technology and innovation across education - and 'parent' organisation to EdtechUK. 

  • Karen is an experienced educator with over 25 years within the teaching profession. She passionately believes that a good quality education has the power to change the lives of all individuals, and enjoys enabling pupils to reach their full potential and to become confident, active and conscious citizens, empowering them to become the 'changemakers of tomorrow’s world'.  

    Under Karen's leadership and guidance, the school has achieved a double excellent in its most recent ISI Inspection; retained its status as a leader in Ed Tech and Innovation as a Microsoft Showcase School (for 3 consecutive years); attained the prestigious Eco Schools Green Flag Award with Distinction (2023) & 2024; was a finalist for the ISA Future Readiness Award and National Education Awards, for Ed Tech; and was the winner of the ISA Award for Excellence and Innovation in Mental Health and Pupil Wellbeing.  

    A strong believer in the merits of a 'STEAM powered, Future Ready' curriculum, the school proudly boasts a new STEAM Centre of Excellence and Innovation.

    Karen is also an enthusiastic historian, with a Master's Degree in Heritage Management (BA in Archaeology and Classics) and is co-Director of Design Nature CIC, a social enterprise company that specialises in Sustainability Education.  

  • Olivia Hanlon is the award-winning Founder and CEO of Girls in Marketing. Girls in Marketing is a learning provider and community for marketers, empowering women to build a career they love. Olivia is also a public speaker, startup marketing advisor, podcast host, presenter, and mentor. She’s spoken at various events such as Global Marketing Day by SEMRush, SocialNorth, Sheffield DM and more. In 2024, she was named in the prestigious Forbes 30 Under 30 list in the Media and Marketing Category for Europe.

  • Katie is a former Primary school teacher with over a decade of teaching experience in Denmark and the UK. She founded Teacherbot, an innovative AI teacher tool, in 2022, which now assists educators across 180 countries.


    Katie provides insightful INSET training and delivers engaging talks, guiding schools in leveraging AI effectively. She maintains a keen interest in the real-world impact of AI tools. Katie regularly engages with Teacherbot users and school staff to understand how AI is transforming both teaching practices and student learning experiences globally.

  • Sarah is a Project Officer at the Gatsby Charitable Foundation, working on a range of programmes designed to help employers engage with technical education in a way that benefits all involved. Key projects include the Education Landscape (educationlandscape.org.uk), which Sarah will be discussing in the roundtable session with the ABPI.

    Before joining Gatsby, Sarah worked in local government supporting the creation and implementation of inclusive education, employment and training opportunities within the public sector.

    Sarah is a governor at both a secondary school and a post-16 specialist employment college in her hometown of Stockport.

  • Olivia D Hinds is a dedicated Creative Educator and governance advocate with over a decade of experience in shaping inclusive educational experiences. As the creator and host of The Governors' Podcast, Olivia leverages her extensive background in education governance, starting her journey as a school governor at the age of 23. She currently serves as a co-opted governor in a selective secondary school and is a member of the Joint Advisory Education and Safeguarding Group for a medium-sized MAT/Foundation in Birmingham.

    Passionate about empowering people on their respective journeys, Olivia focuses on strategies and initiatives that create lifelong learning opportunities designed to meet diverse needs. With a strong belief in the importance of generational diversity, she engages audiences with her insights on fostering collaboration and understanding within educational and boardroom settings. Olivia’s innovative approach incorporates her expertise in A.I. prompt engineering, governance, branding, and social media content creation, ensuring that her interactions with others are both engaging and impactful.

    Through her commitment to personal growth, Olivia inspires individuals and organisations to lower barriers, raise aspirations, and cultivate a more inclusive environment for all to feel seen, heard, and succeed with authenticity and integrity.

    Let’s discover how to create an ultimate inclusive curriculum that truly reflects the needs of every young person, and adults too because educators are still learners of life.

  •  Former PE teacher. EdTech CEO. Dad of 2 young ones. Runner, Leeds fan, speaker.

  • Dr Iyer originally trained as a Bioengineer at Manipal Institute of Technology, India. After a brief stint in the software industry as a developer, she moved on to academia, receiving a PhD in computational sciences from Imperial College London after an MPhil from Cambridge. With over 12 years of experience in artificial intelligence, complemented by a background in software development, mathematical modelling and R&D, Raj now leads her company sAInaptic, as their CEO.

    sAInaptic is developing a proprietary pedagogically enhanced AI model, specifically designed for the education sector, to automate the marking, feedback, measurement and personalisation process, beyond multiple-choice questions. They work with educators in the K-12 sector and a number of certification and qualification providers, bringing AI at the heart of teaching & learning.

  • As an Education and Training Lead at Computeam Ltd, I design and deliver engaging and effective digital learning solutions for various clients, including multi academy trusts, individual schools, businesses, and charities. I have over 14 years of experience in the education sector, where I have developed and led a variety of educational training for young people and adults, using a range of technology platforms and tools.

    My passion is to empower learners and educators with the skills and confidence to use technology creatively and collaboratively. I have a Master's degree in Creativity and Education, and I hold several certifications from Microsoft, Google, and Apple, as well as being a Microsoft GTP and MIE. I am also a leader and mentor in technology enhanced learning, having implemented and evaluated several innovative projects and strategies in my previous roles as a teacher and a school leader.

  • Chloe James is a Professor of Microbiology at the University of Salford, specializing in bacteriophages and their impact on bacterial hosts. She has a PhD from the University of Liverpool and has worked extensively in the fields of microbial biofilms, antibiotic resistance, and bacterial evolution. Her research focuses on host-pathogen interactions, and she is passionate about science communication and public engagement through interdisciplinary collaborations.

  • Head of Port Sunlight Lab

    Joined Unilever as a trainee in Leeds, going on to work in Japan, North America and Port Sunlight R&D. As a trainee Cameron worked in R&D, Marketing and Supply Chain. Since then Cameron has worked in various R&D roles in Design, Deploy, R&D Functions ( Packaging and VP to establish Digital R&D) and Local Technical Management across HC, B&W and PC.

  • Grace focuses on GfE’s existing partnerships with schools, trusts and local authorities across UK&I to ensure that they are making the most out of the relationship with GfE. As well as ensuring Customer Success, Grace oversees the professional development programs offered to teachers and educators, as well as working with Google’s Educator Groups (UK) to drive community engagement.
    Grace has a background in education, and is passionate about how tech can transform and evolve teaching and learning practices.

  • Maxim Kelly is a prominent figure in education on the Isle of Man, currently serving as the Executive Headteacher of Dhoon School, Laxey School, and Willaston School. Max's career with children and young people spans various roles, including lead youth worker, pre-school practitioner, teacher, and school leader. He has led multiple schools in head of school, headteacher, and executive headteacher capacities.

    Over a decade as a director at the Isle of Man Children’s Centre, Max contributed to fostering, adoption services, and community projects, including the development of an island community farm. Additionally, he has served as a panel member in fostering and acts as an Inclusion Assessor across the UK.

    Max is dedicated to building inclusive education and community engagement, consistently striving to enhance educational outcomes for all pupils. His latest vision is for all teachers in his schools to become "EduVators," blending innovative educational pedagogy with the latest technological advances in AI, harmonizing human oversight and expertise with cutting-edge technology.

  • Kylie Kendrick is a dedicated advocate for esports, especially at Durham University, where she serves as the Senior Technical Specialist for Esports. Her role involves developing and enhancing the university's esports offerings to provide students with a fulfilling and engaging experience.

    Beyond her role at Durham, Kylie is actively involved in the wider esports community. She serves as the Chair and creator of the Esports Advisory Board, where she works to improve esports in higher education and identify new opportunities for students. Additionally, she is a committee member of Women in Esports, and is an Aurora HE graduate, promoting diversity, inclusion, and professional development in the field. Kylie’s esports and gaming experience spans 20 years, beginning from when she first participated in esports herself semi-professionally.

  • Alex is a Chartered Engineer, Fellow of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers and Fellow of the Women’s Engineering Society. After a career of over 15 years in Industry working in engineering consultancy and innovation, she founded STEMAZING – a social enterprise dedicated to inspiration and inclusion in STEM.

    Alex leads several not-for-profit initiatives to empower women in STEM and link this to inspiring our future generations of innovators and problem-solvers.

    Alex is also Mentor, Trainer, Visiting Professor and regular keynote speaker at events and schools, and has featured on TV shows on Channel 5, Prime and CuriosityStream.

    In 2023 Alex was named as one of the top Inspirational Businesswomen in STEM at the House of Lords and won a Special Recognition Award for her contribution to STEM Education in the North East.

  • Dr James Kuht MBE is the CEO of Inversity, a company which equips young people with the skills they need to thrive in the era of AI. Prior to this, he had a 16-yr career in the Military, which included being Chief Technology Officer (CTO) of a large Regiment and building the largest deployable AI team in the British Military; being seconded to 10 Downing Street to build the Prime Minister’s Data Science team; and research into the basis of consciousness at the University of Oxford - for which he was nominated as British Young Neuroscientist of the Year. He was made MBE in 2021 for services to military innovation.

  • Minna is an Animation Manager at TT Games, having been with the company for seven years. Their favourite game that they have worked on is LEGO DC Super Villains.

    Alongside their passion for gaming, Minna also cares deeply for diversity and inclusion. They currently chair two employee led groups at TT Games, WiTT (Women in TT) and EqualiTTy.

  • Having studied geography at Bristol, Victor returned to teach in his native Guernsey, developing the use of digital technology across all aspects of Guernsey education.Victor has run numerous CPD sessions for a wide range of teachers both in Guernsey and in the UK.

    Completing his MA at UCL in digital media, culture and education, reinforced his belief in the foundational importance of digital technology in education as educational settings seek to prepare learners for life in this century and the next. Having the ability to thoughtfully consume and create content in a wide variety of forms is an essential component of being literate today; education needs to innovate to meet the needs of learners. A view reinforced by his recent work on the British Irish Council digital inclusion working party.

  • Matt has been a filmmaker since he left his previous life as an actor in 2008. Having retrained and worked his way up the production ladder, he spent five years as head of moving image at London Marketing agency Brandwidth, and set up both Analog Films and Ark Immersive over the last few years back home in Liverpool. 

    Matt’s approach to immersive is that he believes it is one of the greatest untapped resources in media today and, if done correctly, can help users gain wonderful experiences. 

    Ark Immersive is the expression of this ethos and is driven to engage with learners and users worldwide to show the true power of immersive film, reducing carbon footprints, increasing engagement and improving agile experiences whilst giving users unique insightful experiences. 

  • Prof Vish Maheshwari is the Associate Dean of Salford Business School and an experienced academic leader passionate about technology informed teaching & learning innovation for enhancing student experience. Vish has a track record of success in academic portfolio development & management, dynamic leadership in delivering impactful student experience and resource-based efficiencies.

  • With over three decades of experience in the UK construction industry, Carol has worked with major contractors across the construction industry. Carol passionately advocates for diversity and equality, inspiring others through her leadership.

    Carol is a trusted advisor and thought leader, offering strategic guidance and driving digital transformation. She made history as the UK's first Black woman CEO of a construction software company, which won the ERP Software of the Year award for six consecutive years, before selling the business to The Access Group in 2020. In recognition of her contributions, Carol was awarded an honorary doctorate in 2024 for her work in construction technology transformation and her commitment to diversity.

    One of Carol’s key focuses is bringing industry and education together, particularly within the tech and construction sectors. She is dedicated to fostering a collaborative environment that empowers the next generation with the skills and opportunities needed to succeed in an evolving workplace.

  • Having spent the last 30 years selling cutting edge technology into the financial markets Andy is now a Client Partner at Google Cloud and passionate about demystifying technology and making it accessible for all. Creating safe spaces to learn in a fun and collaborative environment and by doing, helping companies invest in educating their staff to solve complex problems that make a meaningful difference for their customers.

    In his ‘20% time’ (where Google allows him to spend a day a week on an unrelated tech project) Andy has created the ‘Drone Derby’. An AI/ML where contestants build, train and race autonomous toy drones as a learning pathway to Cloud competency.

  • Owen is a National Lead for STEM Learning with responsibility for engaging and supporting multiple stakeholders from schools, colleges, universities, business and industry, local authorities and public sector organisations to raise STEM achievement and aspiration amongst young people based on individual regional needs. This involves ensuring all teachers, support staff, schools and colleges are able to benefit from a broad portfolio of STEM support and the development of a pipeline of successful initiatives and interventions in partnership with external stakeholders from STEM industries which result in tangible, positive STEM related outcomes for young people. Prior to joining STEM Learning Owen led an award-winning local authority based STEM engagement programme and previously was a News and Business journalist with more than 15 years-experience.

  • Also the founding headteacher of Ark Conway Primary Academy, the first free school to be designated ‘Outstanding’ by Ofsted and described by former Secretary of State for Education, Nicky Morgan, as ‘an engine for social mobility’.

    Damian has worked as an executive headteacher and a regional director for the children’s charity, Ark Schools. In 2014, Damian was named by the Education Foundation as one of their Educational Reformers of the year. He is co-author of ‘The 9 pillars of Great Schools’ and has contributed to publications and reports for the Department for Education.

  • Paul has been responsible for the VEX Robotics brand since its UK launch in 2012. VEX Robotics, the world’s leading educational robotics company, is committed to developing free STEM curriculum and software to allow teachers to engage students through robotics and computer science. Since 2012 he has overseen VEX 123, VEX GO, VEX IQ, VEX EXP and VEX CTE join the original VEX V5 product line, while the geographic responsibility now covers Europe, the Middle East and Africa.

    Overseeing the development of partnerships with companies and organisations to broaden the brands reach through commercial and collaborative links VEX Robotics has grown into a recognised and trusted platform for engaging students in Computer Science and STEM activities and adopted for the teaching of coding, design & technology and engineering.

    Paul is passionate about engaging all students in open-ended, design-based challenges and curriculum, encouraging innovative thinking and guiding students towards STEM related careers. He has been involved in launching and supporting the extra-curricular VEX Robotics competitions (presented by the Robotics and Education Competition Foundation) to over 30 countries across EMEA and impacting tens of thousands of students.

  • Chris is the CEO of two education startups - Learning 3D and Spencer 3D. Prior to setting up the businesses Chris spent over 30 years in schools - 15 as a Headteacher in both the state and independent sectors.

    Chris is passionate about education and most importantly in how it develops and adapts to meet the needs of our young people in a rapidly changing world. His ‘holy grail’ has always been how we make learning personal for every young person. He knows from experience that with the right use of technology, schools embracing a coaching culture, metacognition at the centre of learning and a ‘fail forward’ pedagogy, change can happen.

  • Professor Andy Miah, PhD is Chair of Science Communication & Future Media at the University of Salford, Manchester, where he is also the Academic Lead for the Metaverse Special Interest Group, AI Ethics Champion, and Principal Investigator for the MediaCity Immersive Technologies Innovation Hub. His research focuses on the promise and peril of new technologies and his career has spanned the areas science, technology, art, media, and culture. A passionate communicator, he believes that we need to unravel the future by examining the ethics and morality of our options. Author of 10 books and over 150 academic articles, he is also a frequent media commentator and has written for the Washington Post, Vogue, BBC, Wired, and many other outlets.

  • Connie Millar leads with over 10 years of experience in payments technology and educational solutions. As the Product Director at Education Brands UK, she oversees a diverse portfolio of 15 EdTech products, driving innovation across Engagement, Payments, Data Management, and Safeguarding. Leading initiatives for over 18,000 schools and trusts, Connie is passionate about turning customer insights into solutions that enhance user engagement, enable data-driven decision-making, and simplify everyday processes for schools, parents, and students. Her expertise and vision continue to shape impactful, technology-driven outcomes in the education sector.

  • Kalam Neale is a pioneer, disruptor, and trailblazer in education. Recognised for his exceptional commitment to Digital Innovation, Kalam was honoured with the prestigious Pearson National Teaching Award last year. Kalam has co-authored a number of ground-breaking qualifications in esports in collaboration with Pearson, Leadership Skills Foundation and British Esports that have now been studied by over 9,500 students globally.

    These revolutionary qualifications have re-energised student learning and unlocked numerous career pathways, spanning STEM, sport, creative, business and digital industries.

    Kalam also holds the positions of Governor at Barnsley College and Director of Education at Strategic Esports Group. His multifaceted expertise further extends to being a Trainer and Podcast Host at Pearson, where he shares valuable insights and knowledge with educators around the world.

    With over 12 years in education, and an extensive background in creating and delivering cutting-edge curriculum, Kalam is a driving force in education through an inclusive, innovative and forward-thinking approach.

  • As an Education Community Manager at Canva, Jade supports teachers and schools across the U.K.

    Prior to joining Canva, Jade has been a school leader, consultant and edtech founder. Jade is passionate about supporting students to express their creativity and develop digital skills whilst in education.

  • I am the Head of Education and Learning for the charity Tech She Can. I have over 10 years teaching experience at both a primary and secondary school level. I’ve had the pleasure of working with the Tech She Can team since 2019 and I lead on the creation and delivery of our Tech We Can educational resources. 

    I’m extremely proud of how far the Tech We Can resources we offer to teachers, parents and students has grown over the past few years. I’m passionate about ensuring all children and young people broaden their knowledge of the opportunities available to them in technology careers. Children can't aspire to be what they don't know exists, and this is where Tech We Can plays such an important role. 

  • Krystina Pearson-Rampeearee (CEng MRAeS FWES FRSA MIET) is a multi-award winning Aerospace Engineer and STEM advocate who works as an Engineering Team Lead at BAE Systems and owns her own Etsy business, AviateHer. She studied Aerospace Systems Engineering, becoming the first engineer in her family. She is passionate about encouraging and inspiring more young girls to consider STEM careers.

  • Becci works supporting Computing teachers across the UK through the free community Computing at School.

    She has been a senior examiner for GCSE and A-levels. She is an experienced Head of Department and has taught in schools in England for many years. She has been a lecturer in teacher training for computer science and worked as an educational consultant for a few years supporting schools with their curriculum and supporting teachers with CPD. Becci also writes textbooks & online revision content.

  • Samantha is passionate about ensuring young talent gets the support they need to thrive; working with others to recognise potential, and remove barriers to opportunity, is at the heart of everything Samantha does. Samantha has worked for the past 17 years in both secondary state and independent sectors, and Samantha’s leadership experience was shaped over the last 7 years at a large 6th Form college, holding 3 cross college roles, College EDI Coordinator, Head of Programmes, Head of GCSE English as well as being an A Level English Literature lecturer.

    As the Head of Programmes at Agent Academy, an award-winning social enterprise, Samantha’s role involves developing and overseeing high-quality programmes that help emerging talent identify, understand, and achieve their potential. I work in a small but The team work in partnership with various North West businesses to ensure their offerings are not only industry-relevant but transformative. Strategic curriculum development, continuous learning, and fostering collaborative partnerships to create impactful learning experiences and career opportunities are main features of Samantha’s current role.

  • Emily Reid is assistant head at St Bernard's RC Primary and Nursery School in Ellesmere Port, Primary Curriculum Lead for Holy Family Catholic Multi Academy Trust and project lead for the Arts Council's Creativity Collaborative in the North West- C Change. As C Change project lead she works with schools across the educational sector, helping them to explore innovative practices in teaching for creativity and share their learnings to facilitate system wide change. In addition to leading work across the region around creativity, she is passionate about conservation and sustainability education, working in close partnership with Chester Zoo. 

  • Kylie began her career as a classroom teacher before transitioning into business growth and strategy. With a nine-year tenure at hi-impact, her leadership and dedication have been instrumental in driving the company's success. As Managing Director, Kylie is committed to transforming education through innovative technology, ensuring hi-impact's schools and Multi-Academy Trusts remain at the forefront of the tech-driven world.

    A mother of two, Kylie personally understands the transformative power of technology in enhancing enthusiasm and engagement in learning. Witnessing its daily impact on her own children's education, she firmly believes that technology should be seamlessly integrated throughout the curriculum. 

  • Natalie Reeves Billing is a mum of two who grew up in Toxteth and describes herself as Scouse through and through. She is a multi award-winning children's author and social change ambassador. As the director of the Builder Book project she delivers tens of thousands of STEAM based resource packs and workshops each year to families from vulnerable communities across Merseyside, Cheshire, and Flintshire. Natalie is the creator of The Animates project, a digital art and storytelling project for primary schoolers which explores inclusive innovation and takes children on adventures into the workplace. Natalie is published by Andrews UK and Tiny Tree with her books series exploring emotions and perspective. Natalie is an active Deputy Lieutenant of Merseyside working regularly within the community,  and a governor of Everton FC's Free School, working with children who are outside the mainstream education system. She spends her free time hosting a community radio segment on Liverpool Live Radio and compiling a community column within the Liverpool Echo. 

  • Tom is a former [five-times] Head of English, school senior leader, nationwide education advisor and UK Specialist Leader of Education [SLE] for the teaching, learning and assessment of English [11-19]. Having worked in state secondary education for over two decades, Tom specializes in the improvement of curriculum clarity, classroom experience and examination outcomes.

    Tom is the founder of the award-winning, Liverpool-based English skills edtech platform, EdenFiftyOne, and in 2023, he was shortlisted as the ‘Great British Entrepreneur of The Year’.

    As a post-BA-diagnosed dyslexic, Tom’s skill-by-skill approach to English education has helped schools and academies across the UK to raise their results to record levels.

  • Simone Roche MBE is founder and CEO of Northern Power Women, and the Power Collective CIC. A community of 95,000, organically grown by Simone herself, spans all sectors, genders, and socio-economic groups. With the growth of this community, Simone founded the largest celebration of gender equality in Europe: The Northern Power Women Awards, celebrating role models and trailblazers living and working across the North. The Power Collective has enabled 50k conversations and created £2m in social value through running Power Up Networking sessions and mentoring programmes that are open to all.

    Simone joined the Royal Navy at 17 as a radio operator before quickly scaling the ranks up to Lieutenant. After leaving the Navy, Simone took on roles within the large-scale events space at the likes of Aintree Racecourse, Blackpool Pleasure Beach, and for the build of the new Echo Arena in Liverpool. Simone led on sponsors as Client Services Manager for the 2012 London Olympics and then moved into a role as Director for the Women 1st conference.

    Simone was awarded an MBE in the Queen’s Birthday Honours in 2018 for services to gender equality and was appointed Lieutenant Commander in the Royal Navy in June 2020 before being promoted to Honorary Captain in July 2021.

  • Rodgers has featured in several major international public and private collections including R.A., V&A, Saatchi, Art Paris, N.Y., Lineart - Ghent, and Singapore.
    Passionate about art education and wellbeing, she  is an honorary fellow of LJMU and a patron of charities as she believes it is vital to engage and connect with communities. Fortunate to work in various environments including Marvel sets and lecturing at The Isaac Newton Institute. Rodgers has been commissioned to create ‘Salford Firsts’, ‘Cilla Black’ and ‘Elaine Morgan’, which was part of The Monumental Welsh Women campaign to rectify the absence of female statues in Wales.
    She work in various scales and mediums from small ceramic butterflies to 11metre high Meccano® Liverbirds. Aiming to push the boundaries of materials from clay to bronze to steel, forcing the mediums to the edge of elasticity. Her creations are inspired by nature, whether flora or fauna. To capture the moment, she focuses on movement and energy, whether it be powerful, delicate, tender or disturbing. Deliberately abandoning the solidity of form to focus on the realms of statement by omission.
    David Whiting, art critic, describes Rodgers work, “…whilst solid, has at times a gossamer lightness that can make it appear sketched rather than cast or moulded. And the constant genius of her exoskeletal forms is that they always depict what can’t be seen but is transversally present: the life force, the spirit”.

  • Tom Rogerson has been working in the education sector for 34 years and is about to enter his 17th year of Headship at Cottesmore School on the border of Surrey and Sussex.

    He has taken only one year out of teaching in order to work for Vivendi-owned conglomerate Universal Music International in the A&R department looking after American artists such as Eminem, Nelly Furtado and Erica Badu.

    He is in a rock band called The Replicant Saints who met at school; he would like to start a band made up of headteachers, but he can't find a drummer. His wife wants him to get rid of some of his 24 guitars.

    Tom is passionate about The Future of Education 3.0. He has more recently led a number of vanguard projects, including the appointment of an ‘AI Principal Headteacher’ and the world’s first Esports Tournament exclusively for prep school aged students. COTTESPARX is his school’s new course on digital assets, cryptocurrency, NFTs, blockchain and ethics in the digital realm.

    His other projects include the ‘The AI Schools Show’, ‘Teacher Well-being Project’, the ‘Build-a-Bot Project’, the ‘My Future School Competition’ and the ‘My Font Project’.

    He is particularly interested in the juxtaposition of the traditional and the cutting edge, and navigating the digital world while staying true to one’s values.

    Cottesmore is 'Prep School of the Year 2020/ 21' Tatler Schools Awards and 'Boarding School of the Year' Times Educational Supplement Schools Awards 2019. Cottesmore is an academic boarding prep school for girls and boys on the border of Surrey and Sussex.“

  • Susan founded Primary Engineer in 2005 after training as a Graphic Designer and later as a Secondary School Teacher, with the belief that we can enable all children to reach their potential through engagement with engineering.

    To achieve this, Susan, alongside a team of educational programme specialists, has developed a sophisticated programme of award-winning teacher training courses ranging from one-day courses to master’s level postgraduate certificates in Engineering STEM in the Classroom to engage early years, primary and secondary teachers of STEM subjects. The topics these projects embrace revolve around Rail, Vehicles and Construction. She has helped to design national competitions, including award-winning ‘If you were an engineer what would you do?®’ Leaders Award Competition, and STATWARS®: Climate Change Challenge, STATWARS: Film and TV Challenge and the Primary Engineer MacRobert Medal.

    As well as educational programmes involving industry, universities, councils and professional engineering institutions which annually reach over 5,000 teachers, involves over 2,000 engineers and 90,000 pupils.

    Susan is the recipient of three Honorary Doctorates, awarded an MBE in the Queens New Year’s Honours list in recognition of her work in engineering education and is the 2020 recipient of the Royal Academy of Engineering's Rooke Award 2020.

    Despite all this Susan is not an engineer, something her father at the outset said was not a career for girls - it could be said that her life’s work has been proving him wrong!

  • Asia is a highly accomplished software engineer, recognised as one of the most influential women in the technology sector in 2023 by Computer Weekly. Beyond her technical expertise, Asia also excels as an engineering mentor, distinguished blogger, and dedicated blockchain enthusiast. She actively champions diversity, equity, and inclusion (DE&I) and serves as the visionary founder of ChainVerse, aiming to revolutionise prison communications by providing a simple, affordable, and secure platform for individuals to connect.

    Asia actively engages with various communities, including Code First Girls, Black Girls In Tech, Coding Black Females, Black Valley, WomenTech Network, Muslamic Makers, and more. By being an active member of these communities, Asia fosters collaboration and supports the collective advancement of marginalised groups within the technology industry.

  • Chelsea has dedicated her work to achieving gender equality within the tech sector. Her direct experiences of inequality within her previous roles inspired her to start InnovateHer, a social enterprise who are on a mission to get girls ready for the tech industry and the industry ready for girls. With her team, Chelsea plans for InnovateHer to become a pioneering industry-led STEAM education provider, inspiring teens to reach their potential and create a more inclusive future in tech, with a community of 1 million globally.

  • Jordan is the dynamic Trust IT Services Manager at Peterborough Keys Academy Trust, leading the charge in technology innovation and security across 12 schools. With a mission to ‘Unlock potential through technology,’ Jordan’s expertise is pivotal in steering the trust’s strategic IT vision. As a non-executive director for InnovateMAT, he broadens his governance skills, infusing the trust with cutting-edge digital insights and legislative guidance. A recognised Microsoft MIE Expert, Jordan collaborates with over 180 educational institutions and 1,300+ educators globally, driving educational excellence through technology.

  • Kim is an experienced HR professional with a passion for promoting STEM subjects to the younger generation. With over 15 years of experience in the field of human resources, Kim has developed a deep understanding of the importance of diversity and inclusion in the workplace and is committed to creating a culture of respect and collaboration.

    Throughout Kim's career, she has worked with a wide range of organizations across various industries, from Public Sector to multinational corporations. Kim has a proven track record of developing and implementing effective HR strategies that drive employee engagement, retention, and inclusivity in the workplace.

    Kim is also a strong advocate for promoting STEM subjects to the younger generation and has a passion for driving inclusion and diversity within the Manufacturing industry. She believes that STEM education is critical for preparing young people for the jobs of the future, and is committed to supporting initiatives that encourage more young people, particularly girls and underrepresented groups, to pursue careers in STEM.

  • Account Manager with over 12 years’ experience in the education sector across recruitment, safeguarding solutions, site access and security and asset management software.

  • Dionne is the Head of Customer Success at hi-impact, where she leverages her extensive background in business development, project management and teaching to ensure that clients receive exceptional service. Her support enables clients to focus on creating impactful experiences for young people. With a deep passion for education, Dionne is dedicated to preparing the next generation for future careers. As a Cornerstone Employer for Careers and Enterprise in the Liverpool City Region, she plays a pivotal role in shaping opportunities for young people, helping to equip them with the skills they need to succeed in the modern workforce.

  • Alan is a seasoned education technology expert with over a decade of experience in classroom education. Over the past 15 years, Alan has led numerous groundbreaking initiatives, implementing innovative technologies to enrich the curriculum for hundreds of schools both nationally and internationally. As an entrepreneur in education, Alan founded hi-impact in 2008, Stem Live in 2022, and the Brilliant Festival in 2023. His expertise lies in the strategic integration of innovative and creative technologies to enrich and enhance teaching and learning.

  • Johanna brings over 20 years of experience as a dedicated primary school teacher and Computing Subject Leader to her current role as a Curriculum Consultant at hi-impact. Throughout her career, Johanna has developed a deep love for integrating technology into education, especially through her extensive work with the BBC micro:bit. She demonstrates the versatile applications of micro:bits, inspiring both students and educators alike. 

    Johanna is particularly passionate about promoting STEM education among young girls, striving to create engaging and positive experiences that encourage them to pursue these fields. Her commitment to fostering a more inclusive and enthusiastic approach to STEM subjects in primary schools is evident in all her educational endeavours.

  • Having taught in the classroom for 8 years, Dominic founded LitFilmFest and worked with partners such as BBC Worldwide, YouTube Kids, Houses Of Parliament and, of course, hi-impact.

    During that time, he won an award from the Institute Of Education for a research project on improving KS2 literacy skills using digital skills and wrote a book for Bloomsbury Education about using Adobe Express in the primary classroom.

    He now works as Adobe’s Education Evangelist in the UK and Europe working with school groups and regional governments to improve creative digital skills.

  • Bob Usher was a former secondary school teacher and pastoral & curriculum leader. Bob leads LGfL’s work on the curriculum content and the strategic adoption of technology to enhance everyday teaching and learning. He has been responsible for a range ofground-breaking and award-winning initiatives including the acceleration of new technologies such as Robotics and Augmented & Virtual Reality across the curriculum, the PedTech portal and the Digital Transformation Toolkit. He was a regional lead for the Dfe Edtech Demonstrator Programme supporting senior leaders during the Covid 19 Pandemic and now leads the EdTech Hubs Programme developing communities practice across England in the effective use of technology to support everyday Teaching and Learning.

  • Hugh Viney, aged 36, is the founder and CEO of Minerva’s Virtual Academy (MVA) and Minerva Tutors. MVA is a multi-award-winning online school serving students aged 11-18 and is now the fastest-growing school in the UK. Minerva Tutors is a leading provider of private homeschooling and after-school tutoring. Hugh’s innovative and hands-on approach to education has revolutionised schooling for thousands of children, establishing him as one of the most influential education entrepreneurs of his generation.

  • Tom, Headteacher of Ss. Peter and Paul Wirral, is passionate about challenging educational practices and advancing pedagogy to enrich children's learning experiences. Throughout his career, Tom has  collaborated with Guy Claxton, Dylan Wiliam and Shirley Clarke in helping students become more curious, collaborative, and resilient in curriculum and assessment.

    Tom is the co-founder of Balance, an online curriculum and assessment tool which is used both nationally and internationally. Through this, he has partnered with leading experts to improve assessment and curriculum, providing support to schools, MATs, local authorities to help raise standards. Tom is passionate about creativity and the power it processes to solve some of the challenges facing the modern world. 

  • Zoe is a director at Agent Academy, a North West based social business, that is focused on upskilling future talent, especially helping those from underrepresented groups, to secure employment in emerging job roles. 

    Zoe champions a people-powered approach to overcoming the skills challenges faced by employers, that’s why all of Agent Academy’s programmes are practical and industry-led.  Zoe works with industry partners, including global corporates such as CGI and North West firms like Bruntwood and Electricity North West to deliver solutions to complex talent and skills challenges.  

    Over 500 leaders and experts contribute to the design and delivery of curriculum and learning at Agent Academy and this industry delivered approach works with learners landing permanent industry employment here in the North West as a result.

    Zoe has led a number of education partnership initiatives, working collaboratively with university partners, colleges and schools, to transform learning experiences for students, making sure academic curriculum aligns with industry need.  

    Agent Academy created Climate Change Careers, an annual North West based event to showcase emerging ‘green jobs’ across all sectors and has been attended by young people from schools and colleges across the UK since launch.  

  • Lauren Walker specialises in creating digital content for educational use. She leads a creative team with skills in design, filmmaking and motion graphics, delivering online learning resources, toolkits for educators and learners, social media for educators and interactive AV projects. Lauren’s expertise includes developing digital immersive experiences, sound design and visual media for large scale projections. She has a particular interest in co-production with young people and exploring real-world issues through creative media creation, such as podcasts, film-making and design, as well as the use of games and game-making techniques.

  • Matthew Wemyss is a school leader with over 11 years of experience driving innovation in education, both in the UK and abroad.

    As a passionate EdTech enthusiast, he is constantly exploring emerging tools like AI and digital platforms to make learning more interactive and engaging. His approach focuses on equipping students with future-ready skills like creativity, communication, problem-solving, digital and AI literacy, ensuring they are well-prepared for the challenges of tomorrow.

    Matthew strongly believes that innovation in education is crucial for preparing students to thrive in an ever-evolving world.

  • Meet Hayley Wheeler, a mental health pioneer, revolutionising the landscape with her EmotionMind Dynamic process. With a unique perspective forged from her personal triumph over depression, she empowers others to unlock their potential. Through her inspiring talks, she illuminates the profound connection between emotions and the mind, unlocking the potential for peak performance in education, business, sports, and life.

  • Former RE & Philosophy teacher. Proud girl dad. An IDEAS Guy. Coach, presenter, author.

  • Kate Whyles is a prominent figure in learning technologies in further education. She has received multiple recognitions, including being honoured as a TechWomen100 winner, a STEM Ambassador, and a Minecraft Education UK Ambassador. These recognitions reflect her unwavering commitment to ensuring that computer science education and digital literacy are accessible to everyone. 

    An enthusiastic proponent of game-based learning, Kate's work as a Minecraft Education UK Ambassador underscores its effectiveness in nurturing vital 21st-century skills such as collaboration, critical thinking and problem-solving through playful learning.

    Kate's commitment to diversity and inclusion in the tech industry is further demonstrated through her role as a global mentor. She actively supports girls and young women, working to eliminate barriers and create equal opportunities for all in the rapidly expanding tech industry. 

  • Pete Woodbridge is Director of the Dream Lab at the MediaCity Immersive Technologies Innovation Hub working on innovation, content, software engineering & R&D across virtual production, games engines, AI, immersive installations, interactive media, event & entertainment technology.

  • Eva works across local government and the voluntary sector, with a background in careers education, youth work, community cohesion and the creative arts. She is passionate about on-the-job learning, with her own career evolving through volunteering opportunities and a vocational training route.

  • Mark has over 20 years of experience working with educational institutions across the UK, supporting leadership and staff to embed technology to increase student outcomes, improve teacher retention and achieve financial savings. As one of the founding partners and the CEO of Tablet Academy (now TA Education), my role involves working with industry partners such as Microsoft, Google, HP, Lenovo, RAF and Adobe to design and deliver end-user adoption programmes, including STEM activities for students aged 9-18.