Speakers
The Education Business Conference will feature the following lineup of speakers. To view the programme, click here
Matthew Burton is the Headteacher of Thornhill Community Academy in Wakefield and one of the UK’s most recognisable teachers. He first rose to national prominence in 2013 as an English teacher featured in Channel 4’s multi award-winning documentary series Educating Yorkshire.
Chris Mills is a Communications and Engagement lead in the Maximising Value for Pupils Programme team at Department for Education (DfE).
Rebecca has enjoyed a broad range of roles and responsibilities in the education sector during her career which, to date, has spanned more than twenty-five years. She is passionate about working collaboratively with others to provide the best possible education and life experiences for children, so they can flourish and reach their full potential.
Warren Carratt is Chief Executive Officer of Nexus MAT, a trust providing education to children across the South Yorkshire and Nottinghamshire regions, with a majority of special schools. A “first generation” CEO, Warren was recruited to post following national advert in 2015. Between August 2022 – February 2025, Warren was also the CEO of the Evolve Trust, a failed MAT which he was appointed to lead with the specific brief of re-brokering its academies and closing the Trust down.
Jim Knight works in education, digital technology and as a legislator.
Jim is the Non-Executive Chair of a number of education boards: E-Act Multi Academy Trust, Council of British International Schools, Century-Tech and STEM Learning Ltd. He also sits on the Pearson Qualifications Committee and provides advice to Nord Anglia Education, the Brookings Insitute, GoodNotes, Edwin Group and Everfi.
Emma brings over 25 years of experience in education, leadership and school improvement, with extensive knowledge of both maintained schools and academy governance. Championing the importance of governors and trustees, which she describes as the quiet backbone of the school system, Emma also sits as a governor within a Multi-Academy Trust. In her role at the NGA, Emma works to ensure the organisation remains responsive to the evolving needs of the sector.
Adam Sproston is Senior His Majesty’s Inspector for special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), alternative provision (AP) and inclusion. He is a qualified teacher and has taught across the full primary age range.
Stuart McGregor is a visionary leader in the field of school health and safety, with over 25 years of experience. His expertise spans premises and facilities management, with a notable specialisation in school legal compliance.
Elizabeth Anderson is CEO of the Digital Poverty Alliance, which aims to end digital poverty in the UK once and for all. Leading the DPA programmatic and operational team, she focusses across advocacy, community building and delivery work, talking to schools, industry partners, government leads, local authorities and other charities.
Rob is a marketing strategist blending expertise in IT and e-business. He leads NGA's marketing and communications directorate, overseeing marketing, web, communications, governance development, and customer service operations.
Peter has been with South West Essex Community Education Trust since 2010 when he was appointed as Chief Finance Officer. He is now an experienced Chief Operating Officer for the same Trust and leads the central finance team.
Chris Coyle brings hands-on experience in managing health and safety compliance across a range of schools. His roles include being a school’s health and safety lead, School Business Manager in both primary and SEN secondary schools, and Director of Operations in a large, multi-site secondary school.
Amanda has been a teacher for over 20 years, with the latter half of her career dedicated to SEND. Having developed practice both as a SENCO and senior leader in mainstream primary settings and at local authority level, she is committed to improving outcomes for children and young people with Special Educational Needs and disabilities.
James is Head of Operations and Training at the National Association of School-Based Teacher Trainers (NASBTT). He is passionate about trying to raise professionalism within the teaching profession and ensuring that teachers are held with the respect they deserve within society.
Professor Samantha Twiselton, OBE is Emeritus Professor at Sheffield Hallam University and was its founding Director of Sheffield Institute of Education. She is an independent education consultant and advisor for the English and other governments and many other organisations.
Ali Durban, MBE, is a founder, coach, and changemaker committed to creating meaningful change for marginalised children and communities. Her work sits at the intersection of education, inclusion, leadership, and belonging, with a particular focus on reimagining systems that have historically failed neurodivergent young people and their families.
Phil is a specialist independent PR, communications and stakeholder engagement consultant. With over 20 years’ experience, Phil provides reputation management services to multi-academy trusts, schools, universities, education businesses, and professional institutions.
Jack Horton is the Customer Engagement Manager at Crescent Purchasing Consortium (CPC) leading its team of Regional Procurement Advisors across the UK. Jack and his team are the front face of the CPC, which provide a free procurement advisory service specifically for the education sector.
Ann-Marie Fallon is a Co-Director at the Passivhaus Trust. She brings insights on Passivhaus projects across the UK, and how ramping up delivery is bringing Passivhaus from exemplar to default.
Emma Wigmore is the Chief Executive Officer of the Diocese of Chelmsford Vine Schools Trust. She leads a family of 21 schools rooted in excellence, inclusion and moral purpose.
