Andrew Lewer
Andrew Lewer MBE is an independent education consultant and writer, specialising in design and build, school mergers and partnerships and governance review. He is the only person in the UK to have served as an MP, an MEP and a Council Leader. He served on the Education Committees of both the Westminster and the European Parliaments and founded and Chaired the All Party Parliamentary Group for Independent Education, 2017-24.
Claire Dorer OBE
Claire Dorer OBE has been CEO of the National Assocation of Special Schools, since 2005. Under her leadership, membership has grown by more than 500%, representing the full diversity of special schools across England and Wales. She has played a central role in strengthening the voice of special schools in national policy discussions, advising government and appearing before parliamentary select committees and public inquiries.
Hugh Viney
Hugh Viney is the founder and CEO of Minerva Virtual Academy (MVA), a multi-award-winning online school for students aged 11-18, and MVA Tutors. Founded in 2021, MVA is the UK’s fastest-growing school, with more than 1500 students across 60 countries. Hugh was named Education Innovator of the Year at the EducationInvestor Power List awards, 2025.
Lee Boyce
Lee Boyce is CEO of Barking and Dagenham School Improvement Partnership (BDSIP), supporting schools to build cultures in which every child can belong and thrive. She has 30 years of experience in mainstream and specialist settings, and has specialised in inclusion, SEND and whole-school improvement.
Phil Harrison
Phil Harrison has served as CEO of Manor Hall Academy Trust since September 2024. He is passionate about improving outcomes for children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities, particularly those facing disadvantage. Prior to this role, Phil led on innovation, growth and specialist education within a national trust, and was one of Her Majesty’s Inspectors at Ofsted, contributeing to work on SEND, safeguarding and the development of the Local Area SEND inspection framework.
Nicola Maher
Nicola Maher is an experienced educator, senior leader and SEND specialist with a career spanning both the independent and state sectors. Nicola is Chair of Governors at an international state secondary school, and contributes to the National Governance Association SEND Advisory Panel. She works with schools and families to strengthen SEND provision, build inclusive systems and secure meaningful progress for every learner.
Hayley Mintern
Hayley Mintern has supported the education sector for the last ten years, providing executive search and interim and consultancy solutions to independent schools, academy trusts, FE colleges, and universities. Her speciality is understanding the education sector and connecting talent that is passionate about providing high quality inclusive education. Hayley is driven by making a positive difference to the education sector through high quality leadership appointments.
Sophie Mustoe-Playfair
Sophie Mustoe-Playfair is a Highly Specialist Speech and Language Therapist at Speech & Language Link, with a career dedicated to supporting schools and early years providers across both mainstream and specialist settings. Her work focuses on helping educators confidently identify and support children with speech, language and communication needs, ensuring every child can access learning and thrive.
Andrew Thraves
With a distinguished background in educational publishing, Andrew Thraves is now the chair of academy trust Big Education and a non-executive director of Academies Enterprise Trust and The Confederation of School Trusts. He is also chair of the charity Yes Futures, which works to boost young people’s resilience, confidence, mental health and wellbeing.