50 EB
MOST INFLUENTIAL


Education Business magazine’s pick of the fifty most influential people making an impact on education

Education Business magazine’s pick of the fifty most influential people making an impact on education
Now in its fourth year, the EB50 Most Influential is our pick of the fifty most impactful people shaping the education landscape
Welcome to the EB50 Most Influential –our annual spotlight on 50 individuals who are making a significant difference in the world of education.
Now in its fourth year, the EB50 list recognises those who are driving change and inspiring progress across the sector. From classroom practice and curriculum development to assessment, governance, funding, safeguarding, policy, training, teacher wellbeing, and school leadership – these individuals are helping shape the way education is delivered.
This year’s list features a diverse mix of sector leaders and changemakers, including current and former teachers, union voices, MAT executives, government bodies, charity heads, and association leaders. Each has played their part in influencing how schools operate, how educators teach, and how students learn – all while tackling the sector’s biggest challenges with the goal of helping every pupil thrive.
A big congratulations to everyone featured. If you’d like to nominate someone for next year’s list, please get in touch: angela.pisanu@psigroupltd.co.uk
50 NEW Nathan Atkinson co-founder of Rethink Food
With over two decades as an educator including as headteacher of a large inner-city primary school, Nathan witnessed firsthand how hunger halts learning. In response, he co-founded Rethink Food in 2018, which now supports more than 700 schools across the UK, delivering thousands of hours of health and foodsecurity education. Nathan’s innovative work, which also includes providing universal breakfasts and community cafés in schools, has influenced policy conversations about embedding food education into the national curriculum.
49 Jo Marchant advisor and school estates professional
Jo Marchant MBE is a highly respected expert in school business operations, with experience across both mainstream and special education settings.
In 2022, Jo joined the steering group of The Trust Network, where she contributes to quarterly discussions with the Department for Education on key guidance, including the Estate Management Competency Framework. In recognition of her outstanding contribution to education, Jo was awarded an MBE in the King’s Birthday Honours List in June 2024.
48 Ross Morrison McGill founder and CEO, Teacher Toolkit
A passionate advocate for the teaching community, Ross runs a widely respected education blog that shares practical resources, challenges policy, and amplifies the voices of classroom teachers. Ross has over 20 years of experience as a classroom teacher and now works with schools to improve teaching, reduce workload and support teacher wellbeing. His influence recently earned him an invitation to 10 Downing Street to meet the Education Secretary and discuss strategies to break the link between a child’s background and their future.
47 Emma Balchin chief executive, National Governance Association (NGA)
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 MultiAcademy Trust. In her role at the NGA, Emma works to ensure the organisation remains responsive to the evolving needs of the sector.
46 Caroline Wright director general, British Educational Suppliers Association (BESA)
Caroline Wright is the director general of BESA, the UK’s national trade association for educational products and services. Representing over 400 member companies, BESA ensures rigorous standards are met to give schools confidence in what they’re buying. Caroline also leads EdTech Exchange, Europe’s largest network for EdTech founders. Before joining BESA in 2012, Caroline held senior communications roles across multiple UK government departments, including the DfE, Ofsted, and the Cabinet Office. She has also co-chaired the Department for Education’s EdTech Leadership Group.
45 NEW Emma Hollis CEO, NASBTT
Emma Hollis is CEO of the National Association of School-Based Teacher Trainers (NASBTT) which promotes high-quality schools-led programmes of training, education and professional development of teachers. Previously Head of ITT for a school-centred ITT provider, then head of teaching school and subsequently head of education strategy for a newly-formed MAT, Emma has worked closely with NASBTT since 2016 when she joined the Management Team. She took up the role of Executive Director in 2017, becoming CEO in 2024.
44 Amanda Wilson headteacher, St Alfege with St Peter’s CofE Primary School
Amanda Wilson is an inspiring education leader with over 25 years of experience in teaching and school leadership. Known for her dedication to developing future leaders, she has supported countless teachers on their journey into leadership roles. Since becoming a headteacher in 2019, Amanda
has continued to champion diversity in education, publishing a book that aims to empower and inspire the next generation of black school leaders. In recognition of her impact, Amanda received the 2024 EB Leadership Award in the Primary sector and was recently awarded an Honorary Fellowship by the University of Cumbria.
Ian is a highly experienced executive leader, with a strong track record of supporting school and trust leaders to drive meaningful improvement. Over his career, he has played a pivotal role in raising standards across the education sector. His previous roles include five years as a Senior His Majesty’s Inspector at Ofsted and four years as CEO of a multi-academy trust, where he led strategic development and school improvement at scale. Ian now works closely with the Fairfax Multi Academy Trust executive team and school leaders, providing strategic advice and support to help them realise their vision.
A respected sector expert and thought leader in education and EdTech, the former CEO of United Learning is widely recognised for his strategic insight and national influence. He is regularly invited to contribute to government, academic, and industry initiatives focused on educational technology and school improvement. Now serving as chief executive of IAPS (Independent Association of Prep Schools), he continues to advocate on behalf of the independent sector.
Dr Fiona Aubrey-Smith is an awardwinning educator, leader and academic, recognised in 2024 as one of the Top 5 Visionary Women in Education. With a deep commitment to supporting those who work with children and young people, Fiona is the Founder of PedTech and Director of One Life Learning, where she collaborates with schools, trusts, professional development providers and EdTech organisations to enhance teaching and learning. She also serves on the boards of various multi-academy and charitable trusts, is the author of From EdTech to PedTech, and sits on the DfE’s EdTech Evidence Advisory Board. E
40 David Thomas chief executive of Axiom Math
David Thomas is CEO of Axiom Maths, a charity focused on improving maths education for all. He previously co-founded Oak National Academy, the online learning platform for schools, which is now a government arms-length body. Thomas is also a former maths teacher, secondary school headteacher, and government advisor on education policy for the DfE.
39 Professor Simon Peyton Jones chair of computing at school (CAS) and NCCE
Professor Simon Peyton Jones is a prominent figure in computer science education, known for co-founding Computing at School (CAS), the association for computing education in the UK, and his involvement in the National Centre for Computing Education (NCCE). He played a key role in the 2014 reform of the English computing curriculum, which established computer science as a foundational subject for all students.
38 NEW Jon Hutchinson director of Curriculum and teacher development, Reach Foundation
Jon Hutchinson is an experienced educator, dedicated to creating a system where every child can thrive and lead a life of opportunity. He began his career as a youth worker supporting children with complex cardiac conditions before training as a teacher and rising to senior leadership in an all-through school. Jon has served as an expert advisor to the DfE, contributing to the Early Career Framework, and currently sits on the government’s curriculum and assessment review panel. He played a founding role in Oak National Academy, contributing over 75 lessons and leading its first primary humanities team. Jon is also co-founded Meno Academy, an online platform that provides short subject knowledge videos for primary school teachers.
37 Professor Mick Waters author, educationalist
Former head teacher and director of the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority, Mick Waters has worked in education, both at classroom and policy levels, for decades. He has worked to develop revised policy and practice for leadership, teacher education, governance and classroom teaching. In 2022, he published ‘About Our Schools: Improving on previous best’, with Sir Tim Brighouse.
36 Annamarie Hassall MBE chief executive, Nasen & chair of Whole School SEND
Annamarie Hassall MBE is the chief executive of nasen, a charitable organisation that supports and champions those working with SEND children. She is also chair of Whole School SEND, the Department for Education’s universal SEND services programme. Annamarie has a wealth of experience in children’s services, with a career that started in children’s residential and social care. She then worked as an early years specialist in local government before moving to an advisory role for the DfE, followed by the private sector, where she successfully delivered national programmes on behalf of government.
35 Alex Quigley national content manager, Education Endowment Foundation (EEF)
Alex is head of content and engagement at the Education Endowment Foundation (EEF) where he ensures content meets the needs of school leaders and teachers. He also leads the EEF’s school engagement function, listening to the profession to understand their pressures and priorities. A former English teacher of 15 years, Alex is also the author of books including ‘Closing the Vocabulary Gap’ and ‘The Confident Teacher’.
34 Daisy Christodoulou director of education, No More Marking
Daisy is director of education at No More Marking, a provider of online comparative judgement software for schools, which has recently created a product using AI to deliver efficient essay marking, personalised feedback and insights into narrative and analytical writing balance. Before this, she was head of assessment at Ark Schools. Having developed evidence-based practices that have made a big impact in the classroom, she is also the author of three influential books about education: Teachers vs Tech, Making Good Progress, and Seven Myths about Education.
33 Sir Michael Wilshaw associate director, Academicis
Sir Michael has a long and prominent career in the education sector, with a focus on improving the schooling system so children can thrive. He served as Ofsted’s Chief Inspector from 2012 to 2016 and was a teacher for 43 years, with 26 of these as a headteacher. Now he is associate director at Academicis, a school leadership recruitment company.
Having originally trained as a teacher in Teach First’s inaugural 2003 cohort, James’ long career in education has given him a strong understanding of the challenges faced by teachers and pupils and a clear vision of the actions needed to better support them. James was named CEO of Teach First in February 2025. Previously he was CEO of Ambition Institute and its predecessor Teaching Leaders. He is also the Chair of Orion Education, a multi-academy trust.
Recently appointed on the Department for Education’s new academy trust CEO advisory group, Tom Campbell has over 20 years in the education sector. He is CEO of E-ACT, a multiacademy trust of 39 schools and was previously chief education officer at Greenwood Academies Trust and principal at Fullhurst school in Leicestershire. Tom has a track record of transforming schools, nurturing staff and embedding an “improvement mentality” in each person.
Stephen has a vision for a professionalised workforce of school business leaders. In 2015, he instigated the development of professional standards that are now nationally recognised and feature in the Academy Trust Handbook. Stephen has continued to lead ISBL in its work with the Department for Education, supporting more than 10,000 school business professionals to gain formal qualifications and flourish in the profession.
Rebecca is a highly experienced education leader with a strong track record across both school improvement and system leadership. Before joining Lift Schools, she served as director of secondary at Ark Schools, and prior to that, held a senior government role as the Regional Schools Commissioner for South-West England at the Department for Education. She has also held leadership roles at Oasis Community Learning. Rebecca is also a member of Council at the University of Exeter, where she chairs the Academic Governance Committee, and serves as a trustee for Ambition Institute. She was also chosen as one of the leaders in the DfE’s multi-academy trust CEO advisory group.
Tom Bennet ran the Department for Education’s Behaviour Hubs project, which has recently concluded, having supported over 650 schools and academies. He is also founder of researchED, a grass-roots organisation that raises research literacy in education. Tom has written four books about teacher training, and in 2015 he was long listed as one of the world’s top teachers in the GEMS Global Teacher Prize. His online resources are a valued resource in the education community.
Amanda uses her 30 years+ experience working in children’s policy to shape her work as Director of the Council for Disabled Children, where she is determined to help frontline services ensure disabled children achieve their aspirations and not feel excluded. Amanda is a member of two external reference groups advising Ofsted on behaviour, attendance and inclusion, as the organisation embarks on wide-ranging reforms.
A respected commentator on the education landscape, Frank has spent over four decades in education positions, including teacher, two headships, as well as a period at Ofsted where he was instrumental in developing detailed grade descriptors to support more consistent judgement making. He was director of the Co-op Academies Trust and oversaw the number of academies growing to 23. He is advisor to the Northern Powerhouse Partnership and a trustee and chair of finance at the Great Academies and Education Trust.
Having worked at NASUWT since 1998, Dr Patrick Roach has recently stepped down as the union’s general secretary, a position he held since 2020. He spent his career fighting for teachers’ rights and working hard to end the injustice of racial inequality within the school workforce. Patrick has recently been awarded CBE in the King’s Birthday Honours for a lifetime of service to education. E
Hilary leads the work of the Ambition Institute, which helps educators to continuously improve so that the education system can ensure that every child thrives, whatever their background. Hilary has held a range of senior positions in the Civil Service, including more than a decade at the Department for Education. She is a school governor, and helped set up a secondary school in Lambeth.
Former NEU leader Dr Mary Bousted now chairs the Teaching Commission, which seeks to find solutions for the government to solve the recruitment and retention crisis, and ensure teaching remains an attractive profession. It seeks to explore the causes of excessive workload and how schools can promote flexible working. The Teaching Commission’s recent report calls for the establishment of an “expert teacher” role, which would reward and retain staff who want to further their careers but stay in the classroom. It has also called for the teacher pay review body to have a widened remit.
Emma is a respected curriculum expert, currently leading the design of the curriculum at Oak National Academy – an independent public body to support teaching. She is an experienced teacher and school leader and is working for the Department for Education as ITT specialist curriculum associate. She has also recently published a new booked called Secondary Maths in Action and is a sought-after speaker at industry events.
Peter Hyman has a string of education improvement achievements to boast about. He was co-director of Big Education, a new organisation set up to change the story of what matters in education. He was the co-founder and first headteacher of School 21, a pioneering 4 to 18 years school that opened in Stratford, East London in 2012, and also co-founder of Voice 21, a social enterprise developing speaking skills in young people. For nine years to 2003, Peter worked as a strategist and speechwriter to the British Prime Minister, Tony Blair. He left to become a teaching assistant in a challenging Islington school, before training as a history teacher and working his way up to become a headteacher.
20 NEW Pepe Di’Iasio ASCL general secretary
In his role as general secretary for the school leaders union ASCL, Pepe has tasked himself with producing a better settlement for education so that schools and colleges have the funding and staff they need to produce successful educational outcomes. Pepe has previously been an executive headteacher of two schools and served as assistant director of education in Rotherham.
19 Anne Longfield CBE founder, Centre for Young Lives
Anne is founder and Chair of the Commission on Young Lives, an independent think tank dedicated to improving the lives of children, young people and families, and was Children’s Commissioner for England from 2015 to February 2021. She is a passionate champion for children, influencing and shaping the national debate and policy agenda for children and their families. She has recently been working with organisations within Lincolnshire and Yorkshire in a trailblazing initiative to improve the mental health children and young people by bringing together local organisations and groups. She also worked on the delivery of the Sure Start programme in the Cabinet Office.
18 Daniel Kebede general secretary of the National Education Union (NEU) Daniel was elected NEU general secretary in 2023, working previously as national president of the union, and as a NEU rep, undertaking casework and negotiation. Before this, he was a primary school teacher. Daniel works to oversee the “fundamental change” he believes the sector needs, including an end to real term pay cuts, overbearing workloads, and a reform of Ofsted’s “punitive regime”.
17 Samantha Twiselton professor emeritus, former director, the Sheffield Institute of Education
Samantha has worked closely with the DfE and others to support a more strategic and systematic approach to attracting, developing and retaining the best teachers. She has sat on the advisory group for the Carter review of initial teaching training, worked on both the Core Content and Early Career Framework (ECF), and was a member of the government’s expert group advising on the ITT review. Samantha is also a trustee for Teach First.
the Susan McKinnon Foundation
Matt has recently left his position at Oak National Academy, an online resource bank which he cofounded to help teachers with home learning during the pandemic. He has overseen its development from start-up to the government’ arm’s-length curriculum body. Matt was co-founder at Ambition Institute, the UK’s largest provider of teacher and school leader professional development, and a founding Trustee at The Brilliant Club which supports less advantaged students to access the most competitive universities. He was also Policy Adviser at the Department for Education for three years working on school reform, post-16 participation and special educational needs and disabilities.
As general secretary of NAHT since September 2017, Paul has spent years campaigning and speaking out for the rights of head teachers. Paul advocates for a more proportionate and supportive inspection system and urges the government to address the underinvestment and political instability in education to tackle issues such as crumbling schools and the recruitment and retention crisis. Paul also works to reform the SEND system and is unafraid to challenge the government when necessary in support of children and the teaching profession.
As CEO of the Chartered College of Teaching - a professional body supporting teachers and raising the status of the teaching profession, Professor Dame Alison Peacock works to keep and attract excellent teachers into the profession. Prior to becoming CEO, Professor Dame Alison Peacock was executive headteacher of The Wroxham School in Hertfordshire. She is also director of the Edge Foundation, which works to improve the education system, and a trustee of Big Change, the charity rethinking and reshaping the systems around young people.
As well as being CEO of Ormiston Academies Trust, Tom chairs the Department for Education’s advisory group on inclusion, which has had its work extended until April 2026. He is also on
the DfE’s new academy trust CEO advisory group. Tom has over 25 years’ experience in education, working across a range of roles including 10 years as a headteacher and seven years in executive roles. Before joining OAT, he held the position of executive director of programmes at Ambition Institute, where he led its professional development work. He has also been a leading light in the national reform agenda around teacher professional development, contributing to several official policy forums.
Recently appointed to the board of Trustees at the Education Policy Institute (EPI), Geoff Barton brings over three decades of experience in education. Most recently, he served as General Secretary of the Association of School and College Leaders (ASCL) and he currently chairs the Commission on the Future of Oracy Education which advocates for the vital skills of speaking and listening at a time of technological and social change. Geoff has been described as “one of the most thoughtful and widely respected figures in education” given his experience as a headteacher and leader of a trade union.
Sir Mufti, who has been CEO of Star Academies Trust since its inception, recently served as interim Chair of the Ofsted Board and was also one of twenty leaders recently appointed to the Department for Education’s new academy trust CEO advisory group. Sir Mufti also plays a pivotal role in shaping the future of education by participating in several strategic forums and leading education inquiries. In recognition of his service to education, he was awarded a CBE in 2015 and a knighthood in 2021.
John Uttley is the CEO of The Education Alliance (TEAL) – an 11-school trust based in Yorkshire. With a focus on promoting ethical leadership and inclusivity in the education system, he’s been tasked by the Centre for Young Lives think tank to put together an “aspirational vision for inclusive schools”. He’s also an elected member of the DfE Advisory Board for Yorkshire and the Humber and a trustee at SHINE, an educational charity committed to reducing disadvantage in northern schools, as well as the co-author of Putting Staff First: A Blueprint For Revitalising Our Schools. E
Oli de Botton has been appointed as Prime Minister
Sir Keir Starmer’s expert adviser on education and skills, tasked with driving forward the government’s education vision. A former teacher, headteacher and chief executive of the Careers and Enterprise Company, Oli de Botton brings two decades of experience across classrooms, policy, and leadership. He began his career as part of Teach First’s inaugural 2003 cohort, teaching in a deprived London school before moving into consultancy and education development roles. In 2012, he co-founded the “progressive” free school - School 21 - in East London, and became headteacher in 2015. He also co-founded the oracy charity Voice 21, aligning closely with Labour’s current focus on communication skills in education. In 2021, Oli de Botton became CEO of the Careers and Enterprise Company, helping schools modernise careers education.
Jon Coles is group chief Executive of United Learning, England’s largest academy trust.
Prior to this, he spent much of his career in the Department for Education, including four years on the board as director general for schools and then director general for education standards. In his role of director of 14-19 Reform, he led work to raise participation in post-16 and attainment at 19 and reduce NEET numbers. As director of London Challenge, Jon was responsible developing and implementing the strategy to improve secondary education in London, which also led to similar approaches in other parts of the country. Jon is one of twenty leaders recently appointed to the Department for Education’s new academy trust CEO advisory group.
Sir Ian Bauckham CBE has been confirmed as the chief regulator of Ofqual after serving as interim chief regulator since 1 January 2024. Ofqual, which Sir Ian calls the “guardian of standards”, is the independent body responsible for regulating qualifications, exams and assessments in England so they remain valuable and trusted.
Sir Ian was chair of the Review into Initial Teacher Training, which led to reforms in initial teacher training content and provision across England. He was also chief executive Officer of the Tenax Schools Academy Trust, is chair of Oak National Academy, and was knighted for services to education in January 2023.
committee
Sir Kevan, previously school standards adviser at the Department for Education, has become DfE’s lead non-executive director. The departmental board has three main responsibilities: to provide strategic and operational leadership to the department; to scrutinise the delivery and performance of policy; and to challenge the department on how well it is achieving its objectives. Sir Kevan, a former teacher, set up the Education Endowment Foundation as its CEO in 2011. He was also the previous government’s education recovery commissioner following the Covid pandemic.
5 Dame Rachel de Souza the Children’s Commissioner for England
Dame Rachel de Souza is committed to ensuring the voices of children are heard, using their views to challenge, support and shape national policy. She has led initiatives such as The Big Ask – the biggest survey of its kind, asking children what was most important to them in the post-pandemic world - and The Big Ambition, focusing on the rights and aspirations of children throughout the country. As a former teacher, headteacher, and chief executive of a multi-academy trust – for which she received a damehood in 2014 - Dame Rachel has been central in improving educational outcomes for young people. In recognition of her work advocating for children, Dame Rachel de Souza has been awarded an Honorary Doctorate in Education from St Mary’s University in London.
4 Leora Cruddas CEO, Confederation of School Trusts (CST)
As the founding chief executive of the Confederation of School Trusts – the sector body for school trusts in England – Leora’s voice is listened to in the sector. The CST has recently raised suggestions to improve Ofsted’s reforms, which have been taken on board, resulting in a series of wraparound measures to support a smooth start to the inspection framework. Leora has advised governments and sits on several DfE advisory bodies. She was the vice chair of the Head Teacher Standards Review Group, a member of the external advisory group for the Schools White Paper, SEND National Implementation Board and the Regulatory and Commissioning Review.
Professor Becky Francis CBE is leading the government’s review of curriculum and assessment, which has had its interim findings published. Set into motion following the government’s pledges to raise school standards for young people of all backgrounds, the interim report finds the current system is not delivering for every child, especially young people with SEND, or for those from disadvantaged backgrounds. Becky has said the research undertaken has given them a “deep understanding” of where the key challenges lie and where efforts to improve the system will see the best result. Currently on secondment from the Education Endowment Foundation, Becky has worked closely with teachers and policy-makers throughout her career to maximise the impact of academic research on the school system.
Former Ofsted chief inspector Dame Christine Gilbert has been appointed as the new chair of Ofsted. Christine led the independent review into the watchdog’s response to the death of headteacher Ruth Perry last year – which has resulted in major reforms to the education inspectorate. Dame Christine spent 18 years in schools as a teacher and secondary headteacher, and has worked in London boroughs as both director of education and chief executive. She served as Her Majesty’s Chief Inspector at Ofsted from 2006 until 2011.
Sir Martyn Oliver
His Majesty’s chief inspector, Ofsted
Sir Martyn Oliver took up the role of His Majesty’s chief inspector at a pivotal moment for Ofsted, amid widespread calls for reform and concerns about the impact of inspections on school leaders’ wellbeing. Under his leadership, Ofsted is undergoing significant transformation. A renewed inspection framework, set to launch in autumn 2025, aims to bring greater clarity, fairness, and support to the process. Among the key changes are the removal of single headline grades and the introduction of detailed report cards that offer a more nuanced view of school performance. Sir Martyn has pledged to ensure schools and other providers are well supported and confident in navigating these reforms. With a career in education spanning nearly three decades, Sir Martyn began as a teacher in 1995 and joined Outwood Grange Academies Trust in 2009, where he rose to principal and later became a National Leader of Education (NLE).
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