I am proud to have led Pioneer Educational Trust since 2018, inspired every day by our exceptional colleagues and the brilliant, articulate, curious, passionate and socially-minded pupils in our schools. As CEO, I am committed to driving the principled, relational and ethical leadership which is needed for our schools, and therefore of course our pupils, to thrive.

I have worked in education for more than 25 years in teaching and leadership positions in both primary and secondary phases serving a range of diverse communities. What has always struck me is that in any context, an organisation’s culture, and its ability to adapt to the community it serves, is an absolutely crucial factor in creating the environment needed for both colleagues and pupils to succeed. This is why organisational culture has been a focus of my studies on my doctorate programme and it is such a core component of leadership and staff development across our Trust. Indeed, at the heart of our culture is the importance of investing intelligently in our people and their development – supporting everyone, particularly women and other underrepresented or marginalised groups, to confidently pursue the career paths and leadership aspirations which most resonate with them and will achieve positive impact for our pupils.

Through brave, courageous and authentic leadership, holding high ambitions for each and every pupil in our Trust regardless of background, our Pioneer schools successfully achieve more together for the families and communities we serve than they could ever do on their own.

The affirmation ‘Live your life in the way you want your children to live theirs’ has particular resonance with me.  I am the fierce and proud mum of two young boys who bring me joy every day.  I want my children to live their lives as strong, passionate, inspired, courageous, principled, resourceful, and compassionate individuals, and strive every day to demonstrate that through my words and actions both at home and within in our Trust.