Speakers

Abed Ahmed is a maths teacher with a stammer. Shortlisted as the Best New Teacher of the Year (TES), he helps pupils to become good mathematicians and to be confident in their own skin regardless of their disabilities.

Adrian Rollins is a former professional cricketer and is currently a Deputy Headteacher at a secondary school. His specialism is curriculum, timetabling, QA, progress of HPA students and performance management.

Allison Moise-Dixon is currently Principal and CEO of all through academy in London. As a Black female mother to a primary aged son, specialisms include: values driven authentic leadership, women in leadership, impactful leadership and empowering others to diversify school leadership.

Alom Shaha is a Physics teacher, writer, and former TV producer with a particular interest in the use of demonstrations and practical work in science teaching. Alom is also the author of The Young Atheist's Handbook and Mr Shaha's Recipes for Wonder.

Altaf Hussain is currently Principal & CEO of Luton Sixth Form College. Direct and to the point, Altaf subscribes fully to the rule that life is unfair and that, sadly, there is inequality in all forms of society and that there is a very good chance he may have had to work at least 50% harder and smarter than his non-BAME colleagues. However, things happen for a reason and he is a better leader because of this. His vision is very strongly led by a set of principles which are about the notion that inclusion is vital for everybody, good is never good enough and one should always be the very best that one can be. Altaf has in-depth experience of the private, public and voluntary sectors. He has provided training on a variety of leadership and change management programmes.

Amjad Ali is a senior leader and trainer. He has worked with all sectors from trainee teachers to headteachers providing training on teaching and learning and inclusion. He teaches, tweets and tweaks his practice to help others improve theirs, which in turn helps him and his students too.

Amrit Singh is an award-winning Creative Director, Digital Influencer and Artist. He gives talks on inspiration, aspiration, brand building, social media, and live streaming.

Ann Marie Christian is an International Child Protection and Safeguarding Consultant, Author, Trainer and Speaker. Delivers all types of accredited child protection and safer recruitment training, delivers workshops or keynotes at conferences and writes safeguarding articles.

Angie Browne is currently Interim Deputy CEO in a multi-academt trust in the South-West. She is a leadership coach, an experienced leader and former Headteacher and delivers training on a variety of leadership programmes. Angie writes and speaks about her passion for creating schools that nourish the children and adults within them and provides leaders with the inspiration and tools to do this.

Dr Angelina Osborne is an expert in Black British history, politics of slavery and abolition, post emancipation, and teaching difficult histories and has featured in many places, including BBC Woman's Hour.

Anjum Peerbacos is a visibly Muslim British woman dispelling misconceptions about Islam and British Muslim women every day.

Anshi Singh is a Lecturer at a Further Education college. She is passionate about inclusion of women and BAME in education and works closely with local businesses to create meaningful opportunities for her students.

Asif Bhatti is a primary school Headteacher.

Audrey Pantelis is Former Head of a SEN Free School with 28 years experience of mainstream and SEN education.

Ayo Awotona is an International Speaker who specialises in confidence building for girls and young women (10-25). Ayo is a very energetic young woman who is highly engaging, relatable, creative, forward thinking and has such a passion for life! Ayo's core message is finding self-worth. This originates from her genuine real-life experiences of transforming difficulties into triumph and hindrances into opportunities.

Bansi Kara is a Deputy Head Teacher specialising in Curriculum and Assessment. Speaking topics include diversity, literature, English teaching, gender, politics and sexuality.

Benjamin Turner is the founder of the award-winning Rap Club project and Head of Music at a school in London. Featured on BBC News, TeachFirst and shortlisted as the Best New Teacher of the Year (TES), his projects focus on building the aspirations of young people in challenging circumstances through unique experiences.

Bilal Harry Khan is a freelance workshop facilitator specialising in Youth Engagement & Diversity & Inclusion. Having featured in articles for BBC & The Times as well as running a podcast, Bilal is passionate about sharing his views with audiences both young and older.

Bukky Yusuf is an Assistant Headteacher and Curriculum Director of Science with expertise in coaching, education technology, leadership & management, science and wellbeing.

Carol Shepherd is a former Headteacher. She works with leaders in education and with parents to help them get the best for the children in their care. She empowers them to help young people make positive choices; supporting them to be better at dealing with issues millennium children are facing.

Charmaine Roche is an Accredited Executive Coach and Company Director with 29 plus years as an educator including headship. Her work encompasses coaching, training and workshop development and delivery in mindful-self leadership and leadership development. She speaks as a Wellbeing in Education Advocate. She is passionate about supporting leaders to create the right cultures within which everyone, children and adults can flourish.

Damith Bandara is an Assistant Headteacher in South London. Specialising in Leadership, coaching and mentoring. He loves reading and helping children and staff achieve their potential no matter the starting point.

Danielle Rockson is a Youth Educator, Speaker, Writer and Director. She is the Founder of a youth movement called Transcend. She is passionate about encouraging the youth of today, especially from disadvantaged backgrounds to Transcend in everything they do. To help them to go above and beyond breaking the barriers put upon them by society, and to be positive influential leaders wherever they are. She believes that no cultural or social factor should pre determine how well a child achieves in education and she seeks to not only seek justice but to encourage young people to change the narrative and overcome barriers. Danielle is a trainee Teacher and an educationalist, having completed her Masters at the UCL institute of education in 'Policy Studies in Education' in the year of 2017.

Diana Osagie is an experienced secondary headteacher. She coaches leaders in challenging circumstances and is the CEO of Courageous Leadership. Diana speaks to audiences nationally on the courage and tenacity needed in successful leadership.

Diljeet Kaur Bhachu is a musician-activist-researcher based in Glasgow and Edinburgh. She is a co-founder of the Scottish-Asian Creative Artists’ Network (ScrAN) which is a new initiative to support BAME artists with Asian heritage in Scotland, and her research interests lie in exploring race and gender issues in the music industry and music education sector.

Dilma de Araujo is part of a dynamic group, supporting middle and senior leadership team duties as a Special Education Needs educator. She is a special education needs advisor and researcher for Church of England boarding schools and Think Tank organisations.

Farzana S. Islam is an educator and youth engagement specialist with a passion for integration and creating belonging.

Fehmida Norat-Gilchrist is an English tutor for homeless and refugee learners aged 16+. She is currently working for a national third sector housing charity with previous experience as KS3/KS4 head of English in mainstream and special education settings. She delivers training and is completing post graduate study into dyslexia within disadvantaged groups.

Georgia Thompson is a civil engineer with a passion for shifting the mindsets of young people and teachers alike, bridging the gap between education and STEM industries. Speaking topics include diversity, gender, race, leadership and expertise in career coaching and workshop.

Geraldine Mattis is a Head of Art and her specialism is art curriculum, creative industries and 3D skills. She has been featured in some establish interiors magazines for her ceramics.

Gwyneth Gibson is a Headteacher in a school requiring significant change. A 20 year career dedicated to changing failing schools. She has worked in a variety of settings mainstream, PRU and Her Majesty's Inspector (HMI). Her career has seen her work mainly London, but also Hertfordshire, Kent and now Bedfordshire.

Harmeet Sahota is a part-time senior leader, google certified trainer and digital consultant. He specialises in tech innovation and has trained schools and spoken at events in Europe and the Middle East. Harmeet is passionate about enhancing T&L, improving efficiency and reducing workload through bespoke digital strategies for schools.

Dr Jagjeet Kaur Jutley-Neilson is the Director of Student Experience and Progression in Psychology at the University of Warwick. Jag is responsible for enhancing the student experience, employability, outreach and widening participation. Jag also teaches developmental psychology and academic skills. Jag's research focuses on autism, intellectual disability, visual impairment, and disorders of sexual development.

Jamel C Campbell is an Early Years Educator, Consultant and aspiring Children’s Author. He has been in the industry for 17 years. Early years is his speciality but he has worked in youth clubs, schools, been a mentor to many and supported children with SEND. Jamel has spoken on numerous platforms about the importance of having men in the early years and the importance of having a balanced workforce.

James Aidoo is an an award winning youth practitioner and founder of an educational coaching company that works with KS4 students, his is passionate about effective leadership development among staff and raising attainment among students. How the Lion ate the Giraffe Is the name of James Aidoo's creative keynote that speaks into practical approaches to raising aspirations among BAME students.

Jazz Rose is Founder and CEO of J and C Education -where they're committed to embedding a passion for learning through enriching creative curriculums for primary schools. Jazz is a passionate and engaging speaker with a compelling message on raising attainment across the curriculum through embedding a lifelong passion for learning.

Joss Cambridge-Simmons is a nanny and battles with the stereotypes that exist about men working in Early Years. Joss, also a DJ, is keen to share his professional experiences over the last 10 years including becoming CEO of Jossy Care Childcare Service.

Junaid Mubeen is a research mathematician turned educator, working at the nexus of mathematics, education and innovation. He is a writer, speaker and muser on all things maths and EdTech.

Dr Karamat Iqbal is an experienced education and diversity practitioner, researcher and writer. He currently works to support leaders of the disadvantaged in schools and has recently published a book on minority education: British Pakistani boys, education and the role of religion; In the Land of the Trojan Horse.

Karen Cruise is a young people’s life coach and specialises in helping our youth to break down the barriers that might be limiting their ability to reach their fullest potential.

Karim Mitha is a public health specialist with expertise in ethnic health inequalities, cross cultural mental health, tackling Islamophobia, racism, stigma and discrimination.

Kiran Satti is an English Leader, KS1 Phase Leader. Learner and teacher. She is passionate about advocating alternative fairytales and diversifying the representation of gender and ethnicities in children's literature; empowering fiction for girls #womened and using texts that immerse children into different worlds and lives - specifically immigration and refugees #reflectingrealities

Kulvinder Kaur Johal is a former AHT and SLT member with over 25yrs teaching experience. She is now working as a Regional Mentor in Primary Science across London and the South East. Specialisms include primary science, cross curricular links, leadership, teaching and learning.

Laura Henry is an expert international award-winning Early Childhood speaker and writer. She is passionate about quality in Early Childhood, making sure that children receive the best possible care and education to help them reach their full potential.

Leo Robertson is experienced in the education sector both foreign and domestic. Leo has worked for charities and academic institutions. His work has ranged from Primary to Higher education, now with a specialism in employability skills and Literacy. He is on the advisory board for the IARS international institute and a Governor of a Secondary school.

Mal Krishnasamy is an education consultant, executive coach & trainer. A former senior leader with a wealth of leadership experience she specialises in leadership development, coaching in schools and is the curator of the MalCPD Educational Coaches Network.

Marcus Shepherd is Principal of Nottingham Academy - The Wells Academy Campus. Former Assistant Principal & Head of Mathematics. He specialises in developing and crafting a whole school vision and driving change in very challenging circumstances.

Martin Sinclair is an England and Great Britain Cerebral Palsy football player who is also trying inspire the next generation to showcase their ability rather than disability. Alongside his football he is a SaintsAbility Development Officer with the Saints Foundation.

Mélina Valdelièvre is a Franco-Indian teacher of English in Scotland, a member of the Scottish Trade Union Congress Black Workers' Committee and she undertakes research in anti-racist education. She was awarded the Walter Hines Scholarship to research racial dialogue in education in New York City and she is the founder of The Anti-Racist Educator - an online public engagement platform seeking to help all educators raise their racial consciousness.

Morrisen Mamutse is a Youth & Young People Development Specialist, Speaker, Author and Happiness Coach. Morrisen is author of young people's motivational book, SORTED: A young people's guide to successful careers and happy relationship. He holds a Masters degree in International Development from the University of Birmingham, UK. He has successfully initiated and implemented projects that have trained and mentored hundreds of youths in the UK, Uganda and Zimbabwe. Areas of speciality are: Teaching young people positive thinking, grant writing skills, tackling barriers to life  fulfilment(Inclusion,Integration,Involvement), happiness and how to  sustain it, careers pathways, family relationships and volunteering.

Nadine Bernard is a STEP Headteacher and Executive Coach. She has experience of challenging circumstances within Headship and overcoming these with integrity. She is passionate about eradicating exclusions and ensuring those excluded are included.

Nasima Riazat currently works in secondary education as a teacher and middle leader. She has expertise in educational leadership, coaching, teaching and learning.

Natalia Mole is an activist, campaigner and student researcher currently representing the NUS Trans Caucus. They have experience delivering talks, panels and workshops on areas including decolonisation, disability justice, feminism, queer and trans liberation and transformative justice, as well as in developing guidance for supporting disabled students at their university and shaping race equality strategies at their university and students' union.

Naureen Khalid is a Governor with experience of being a trustee and a member of a local governing body.

Neelam Parmar is currently working as Director of E-learning at Ashford School. Neelam's area of specialism is offering transformational change using EdTech in education.

Nicola Coles is a former teacher and the founder of 1000daysofdifferences. She is passionate about building understanding of self and others through shared experiences. She works with schools to facilitate mutually beneficial connections between students and members of society who are different from themselves.

Nicola Harvey is a Special Needs Teacher, Author and Wellbeing Practitioner. As an advocate for mental health in education, Nicola has a passion for empowering educators with practical wellbeing strategies to look after their emotional and mental health, so they can support their students. Nicola also want to promote BAME diversity within education and publishing, because representation matters.

Nikki Cunningham-Smith is an Assistant Headteacher, SENCO and lead outreach practitioner. Nikki is a TES blogger specialising in behaviour, and engaging with staff uplifting. She is a former head of teaching and learning and centre lead and she loves to work with the lively lovelies that others don’t!

Onyi Anyado is a multiple award winning leadership speaker, workshop facilitator, entrepreneur and business coach. Fondly known as Mr Distinction, Onyi uses his life story titled From Detention to Distinction as a point of reference, motivation and practical inspiration for leading with distinction.

Dr Pathik Pathak is a higher education leader with a stammer. He directs the Social Impact Lab at the University of Southampton and helps equip students with the knowledge, skills and experience to lead for sustainable development. London based English teacher and middle leader. She is passionate about developing strategies to support and improve writing for underachieving learners.

Patrice Miller is a London based English teacher and middle leader. She is passionate about developing strategies to support and improve writing for underachieving learners.

Raj Unsworth is an experienced leader with over 23 years service in the public, private and charity sectors, both in executive and non executive roles. Passionate about all aspects of education, but especially effective governance and values lead school leadership, which she believes are crucial to ensuring every child accesses a good education in truly inclusive schools. She is a Specialist Advisor to the Heads Roundtable Group.

Richard Rai O'Neill is a Romani Storyteller, Author and literacy consultant working in a range of educational settings helping to inspire and motivate all students to enjoy expressing themselves through the spoken and written word. He was raised in a traditional nomadic family and despite having a sporadic education, went on to become an international award winning author. His aim is to show how everyone can empower themselves through the use of words.

Ritesh Patel has been a subject leader of design and technology for over five years. Ritesh is an advocate for wellbeing and motivating others. He has a strong passion for collaborative leadership and whole school Teaching and Learning.

Sandeep Phagura is an Assistant Headteacher. Her specialisms are Teaching and Learning, Coaching, Initial Teacher Training and NQTs and Citizenship/SMSC/developing the whole child.

Sandra Harrison is a Headteacher with 27 years teaching experience in mainstream and special schools, a Behaviour Specialist and Coach and mentor. Sandra coaches and mentors aspiring leaders to reach their goals. She delivers leadership CPD and Behaviour strategies to ensure positive outcomes for pupils.

Sapnaa Choti is an art teacher and curriculum leader of art and design. She fights for the arts and breaking barriers to gender and cultural barriers.

Satwinder Sandhu is a leader in children’s social care. He specialises in fostering, adoption, parenting, equality, diversity and sexuality. His passion is combining business expertise and research to achieve the best outcomes for children.

Shaddai Tembo is a PhD Candidate at the University of the West of Scotland, Trustee for Early Education, Independent Writer at CriticalEarlyYears.org, former Director of the Bristol Men in Early Years Network, and Steering Group Member for the GenderEYE and MITEY campaigns. Shaddai speaks on race and racisms, and gender diversity and inclusion in the early childhood context.

Shahana Knight is Director of TPC Therapy: a mental health and wellbeing service for children. She manages a team of clinical play therapists, sits on a foster care panel and delivers CPD training for professionals. Conferences and CPD she delivers includes trauma and the brain, attachment, therapeutic teaching, wellbeing and mindfulness.

Sharon Warmington is a specialist in corporate and school governance and holding a degree in Leadership for Change and Growth, Sharon is a results driven and highly sought after, global executive coach and motivational speaker. Sharon focuses on proactively creating opportunities for school governing bodies to properly represent the student body it serves.

Shrina Purohit is creator of The Crazy Happy Lady. As a writer with my own blog and various publications across other blogs both nationally and internationally; I write about my experience of having and living with a mental health diagnosis & the cultural difficulties I’ve encountered in my life as a bisexual Indian woman through various social media platforms. I also have been invited to speak at various charities and conferences about my journey through adversity and my message of hope, resilience and perseverance.

Sufian Sadiq is Head of a Bedfordshire based Teaching School, possessing extensive experience in managing teaching teams, curriculum design and leadership in the educational context. He currently manages Chiltern Teaching School Alliance and is responsible for overseeing CPD, School to School Improvement, ITT and quality assurance of qualifications.

Taneisha Pascoe-Matthews is currently Head of Learning Support with the main portfolio as a SENCO. Taneisha has 16 years’ experience in the Education Sector with her career starting in Jamaica as a Maths and Computer Science teacher. She is passionate about advocating for better services for families of children diagnosed with Autism.

Tayera Khan is a Lead Officer for the SVPRS at Gwynedd Council. She provides advice, support, deliver workshops and training to professionals and various organisations on forced marriages, HBV, domestic violence, and mental health within the BME community. Currently tackling issues around Islamophobia and hate crime. Welsh is her main language.

Titilola Dawudu is a writer and editor working in the charity sector and the arts and she has had extensive experience working with young people and adults, supporting them as a mentor and helping them to transition from studying to working professionally . She is a change maker and advocate for culturally underrepresented groups in the arts sector, specialising in highlighting much needed changes amongst people of colour, especially black women.

Tracey Thomas-Marshall is a Senior Learning Improvement consultant working for Leeds City Council. Tracey specialises in meeting the needs of disadvantaged learners, middle leadership and teaching and learning.

Tony Bishop is Currently Executive Principal (CEO) of a small multi academy trust . Previously secondary headteacher - variety of other leadership roles (HOY, HOD, Ass Head, Deputy Head)

Veronica Cairns is a dedicated, empathetic, passionate and professional science teacher. Over 20 years teaching and learning , pastoral and curriculum development and design experience. Uses innovative and creative approaches in Maths, Science, Poetry, Enterprise and motivational speaking to engage and develop student learning individually/ groups/ year groups.

Wasiq Wasiq is a head of performing arts and computing. He specialises in consulting on leadership, management, change and organisational behaviour.

Wendy Pearmain is a Science Faculty leader, with a passion for building collaborative teacher networks and improving outcomes for under-represented groups. She's a mum of five, board member of the Chartered College of Teaching and an advocate of BAME adoption.

Yamina Bibi is an SSAT accredited Lead Practitioner with a specialism in English, leadership of coaching and establishing transition links between KS2/3.

Zara Sahota is a SLE and Head of Maths passionate about inspiring young people, having come from Handsworth Birmingham to becoming the first in her family to go onto Higher Education and study Electrical & Electronic Engineering with Management at Imperial College. Zara inspires the future generation to smash their barriers and study Maths or Maths related courses through driving the teaching and learning of Maths contextualised with Engineering and Business.

Zubeda Limbada has worked for over 15 years in the public sector on national and pan-European policy-orientated projects on topics such as extremism, equalities and leadership innovation. She was invited to the White House Countering Violnt Extremism (President Obama) summit in Washington in February 2015. She is the current EU RAN expert on extremism.