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An inspiring event featuring key cross-sector leaders in the space of inclusion.
Take part in workshops, listen to keynotes, and engage in networking with like-minded leaders.
FRIDAY 31ST JANUARY 2025
8.45AM – 3.00PM
(Includes Light Lunch)
Carr Manor Community School, Secondary Phase, Leeds
LS17 5DJ
SPONSORED BY
SPONSORED BY
KEYNOTE SPEAKERS
host
Jamie Jones-Buchanan MBE
LLA Ambassador and Director of Culture, Diversity & Inclusivity, Leeds Rhinos
keynote speakers
host
Steve Chalke
MBE
Baptist minister, Founder of Oasis UK
Steve Chalke is a distinguished author, speaker, former UN Special Advisor on Human Trafficking, and Baptist minister.
In 1985, he founded the Oasis Trust, a leading UK charity dedicated to building inclusive local communities. Today, Oasis operates across multiple countries, providing housing, education, healthcare, and various community-building initiatives. In England, Oasis runs 54 schools and recently opened Oasis Restore, the UK’s first Secure School—a groundbreaking therapeutic alternative to youth prisons designed to support high-risk children and young people in the justice system.
Steve’s tireless work in social justice has earned him numerous honorary fellowships and an MBE. He continues to lead Oasis and remains a prominent voice on social issues. Steve is also a regular media commentator, and his latest book is called A Manifesto for Hope.
Anne Longfield CBE
Executive Chair and Founder Centre for Young Lives
Anne is a passionate champion for children, influencing and shaping the national debate and policy agenda for children and their families.
She has spent the last three decades working to improve the life chances of children, particularly the most vulnerable. She has recently founded and become Executive Chair of the Centre for Young Lives – a new, dynamic, innovative, independent think tank and delivery unit dedicated exclusively to improving the lives of children, young people, and families in the UK.
Anne previously established and chaired of the Commission on Young Lives, an independent commission to develop proposals for a new national system to prevent crisis in vulnerable young people and support them to succeed in life. The Commission put forward ambitious and eye-catching proposals to politicians and system leaders, several of which have been adopted. From March 2015 to February 2021, she was Children’s Commissioner for England. As Children’s Commissioner, Anne spent six years championing the rights and interests of children with those in power who make decisions about children’s lives, acting as children’s ‘eyes and ears’ in the corridors of power in Whitehall and Westminster.
She previously led a national children’s charity and has also worked on the delivery of the Sure Start programme in the No. 10 Strategy Unit. She spent many years campaigning for better childcare, often at a time when many saw the issue as obscure or niche. Anne is the Independent Chair of the NHS Children and Young People Learning Disability and Autism Board, a non-executive director of the Bradford Children and Family Trust, and board member of the Northern Powerhouse Partnership. She was previously a member of the Times Education Commission.
Anne regularly authors articles, and her new book Young Lives, Big Ambitions was published in April 2024. Anne has honorary doctorates from Newcastle Upon Tyne and Sheffield Hallam Universities.
host
Jamie Jones-Buchanan MBE
LLA Ambassador and Director of Culture, Diversity & Inclusivity, Leeds Rhinos
Jamie Jones-Buchanan MBE is a former professional rugby league player and the current Director of Culture, Diversity, and Inclusivity at Leeds Rhinos, where he played his entire professional career.
Jamie was a member of the “Golden Generation”, winning seven Super League Grand Finals, three World Club Challenges, three League Leaders’ Shields, and one Challenge Cup Final. He also proudly represented both England and Great Britain at the international level.
In recognition of his contributions to Rugby League and his local community, Jamie was awarded an MBE in 2022. He has been a passionate advocate for the sport particularly in fostering a more inclusive environment within Rugby League and beyond.
He currently serves as Chair of the Rugby Football League (RFL) Inclusivity Board, leading initiatives to promote diversity and inclusivity in the sport.
In addition to his professional achievements, Jamie’s Christian faith plays a central role in his life. He is committed to being a dedicated husband to his wife Emma and a loving father to their four sons: Lore, Dacx, Kurgan, and Bane.
Jamie also serves as the official ambassador of the Leeds Rhinos Foundation, Leeds Learning Alliance and “Inspire North” charity, furthering his impact on his community through education and mentorship.
WORKSHOP LEADERS
Including:
Gugsy
Ahmed OBE
Headteacher, Parkinson Lane Community Primary School
| With over 30 years’ experience in education, Gulfaraz Ahmed, affectionately known as Gugsy, is a passionate and visionary Headteacher whose leadership has had a transformative impact on Parkinson Lane Primary School and the wider educational community.
Awarded an OBE for services to education in 2014, Gugsy’s commitment to improving the lives of children has shaped a career defined by excellence, innovation, and a deep focus on student-centered learning. As a former Ofsted inspector, Gugsy brings a unique perspective to school leadership, understanding both the expectations of regulatory bodies and the practical realities of running a school. Their insight and experience led to the designation of Parkinson Lane Primary as a National Support School—a recognition of the school’s outstanding leadership and capacity to support other schools in improving their practice. Under Gugsy’s leadership, Parkinson Lane has consistently achieved exceptional results, earning multiple prestigious awards, including the International Schools Award, Investors in Pupils, and Breakfast Club of the Year. The school’s journey from a “Requires Improvement” rating in 2019 to an “Outstanding” rating in 2023 is a testament to Gugsy’s ability to drive continuous improvement while meeting the evolving demands of Ofsted and other educational requirements. Navigating the challenges of changing inspection frameworks and increased accountability, Gugsy has maintained a relentless focus on ensuring that the school’s practices are always in the best interests of the children. This includes providing them with enriching global experiences, from performing in cities like Paris, London, and Edinburgh, to cultural exchanges in Belgium, Bosnia, and Italy, expanding their horizons beyond the classroom. As a National Leader in Education, Gugsy has worked alongside other schools to share best practices, supporting school leaders to develop innovative strategies that enhance teaching and learning. As a speaker, Gugsy offers valuable insights on educational leadership, school improvement, and how to thrive in an environment of constant change. Their approach is grounded in collaboration, creativity, and an unwavering commitment to the well-being and success of every child. |
Tom
Shaw
Director Research & Development, Carr Manor Community School
Jonathan Wilson
Managing Director, CITU
Jonathan has a deep sense of responsibility to only support projects and ideas that will create a beautiful and sustainable future for us all. Purpose, passion and progression lead the way at Citu.
Jonny
Uttley
Jonny Uttley is the CEO of The Education Alliance Multi-Academy Trust (TEAL).
He has been in post since April 2018, having previously been head teacher at South Hunsley School. TEAL is a trust of twelve schools, in East Yorkshire, Hull, and York, serving over 7,000 students, and a SCITT which trains around 60 new entrants to the profession each year.
Before becoming a Head and CEO, Jonny was Deputy Headteacher at South Hunsley School, and prior to that was Assistant Headteacher at Huntington School in York. As a National Leader of Education, he has worked with schools in many different contexts and is committed to a school improvement approach that puts real ethical leadership at the heart of our system, so schools create cultures in which staff genuinely thrive.
He is 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. In 2020 Putting Staff First: A Blueprint for Revitalising Our Schools was published, co-authored by Jonny and John Tomsett.
Maureen McKenna
Education Advisor and former Director of Education (Glasgow)
In 2000, she joined Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Education, where she inspected a wide range of schools as well as education authorities and child protection. Maureen held a number of posts in HMIE, including national specialist for mathematics and District Inspector for Glasgow and North Ayrshire. She joined Glasgow City Council in December 2007 as Director of Education and retired in January 2022.
Under her leadership in Glasgow, exclusions dropped by 93% and attainment of young people increased significantly – the proportion of young people achieving five or more level SCQF 6 awards more than trebled in the same period.
Since retiring, she has worked with Hertfordshire Council on inclusion. Most recently with London Violence Reduction Unit on the development of London’s Inclusion Charter which has involved linking with boroughs and schools across the city. She also does work with Paul Dix’s team When The Adults Change. Maureen received an OBE in 2015 for services to education in Glasgow and Malawi.
She was awarded an honorary doctorate from Heriot Watt University in October 2021 for services to education and raising attainment of those in the most deprived areas.
Debbie
Watters OBE
Co-director, Northern Ireland Alternatives
Debbie has provided training, consultancy, presentations and lectures at a local, regional, and international level, and currently works extensively in Israel and Palestine. She is the former Vice Chair of the Northern Ireland Policing Board, having served as an independent member for 9 years.
She has worked widely during the past 30 years to empower women and grassroots communities to ensure their voices are at the centre of peacebuilding, conflict transformation, and post-conflict rebuilding. She currently serves as a Visiting Professor at Ulster University, is Chair of the Restorative Justice Council UK, and has recently been awarded an OBE for her services to peacebuilding and restorative justice.
Dr Natasha
Hardicre
Senior Delivery Lead, NHS England
Natasha’s work focuses on transforming systems to improve outcomes, optimise system functioning, and promote human flourishing. She is passionate about helping and resourcing people to innovate and deliver meaningful change by understanding problems and creating tools and frameworks to help people design and deliver solutions.
EXPERT PANELISTS
education
Dr Sharon
Watson MBE
CEO and Principal, Northern School of Contemporary Dance
Sharon’s illustrious career began with her training at the London School of Contemporary Dance, where she honed her craft and emerged as one of the first female Principal Dancers to join the renowned Phoenix Dance Company. Her tenure with Phoenix Dance Theatre, spanning from 1989 to 1997, saw her shine as a performer and choreographer, leaving an indelible mark with groundbreaking works such as “Never Still” and “Shaded Limits.”
After a period of exploration and entrepreneurial ventures, including the establishment of her own company, ABCD, Sharon returned to Phoenix Dance Theatre in 2009 as the Artistic Director, a role she held for over a decade.
During her tenure, she captivated audiences with her choreographic brilliance, creating masterpieces such as “Fast Lane,” “Melt,” and “Windrush: Movement of the People,” which resonated deeply with audiences worldwide.
Sharon’s contributions to the arts have been widely recognised and celebrated. She has been honoured with prestigious awards, including the Sue Ryder ‘Yorkshire Women of Achievement in Business Award’ and the title of ‘Yorkshire Woman of the Year’ in 2016. Her leadership and impact were further acknowledged with the First English Woman’s Award for Arts and Culture in 2018 and an Honorary Fellowship from the Northern School of Contemporary Dance.
In addition to her artistic achievements, Sharon is committed to fostering diversity and inclusion within the arts community. As a trustee of Factory International in Manchester and Patron to The Music House, Leeds, she actively supports the creative voices of women and Black, Asian, and ethnic minority artists, striving to create a more equitable and representative cultural landscape.
Sharon’s dedication to the arts extends beyond the stage, as evidenced by her appointment as a Deputy Lieutenant of West Yorkshire in November 2020 and her recognition with an MBE in the Queen’s New Year’s Honours list in 2021.
Her tireless advocacy, innovative choreography, and visionary leadership continue to shape the future of contemporary dance, inspiring generations of artists and audiences alike.
Colin
Booth OBE
CEO, Luminate Education Group
Colin started as CEO & Principal of Leeds City College Group in September 2015. In February 2019 the Leeds City College Group changed its name to Luminate Education Group. The group includes: Leeds City College, Keighley College, Harrogate College, Leeds Conservatoire, University Centre Leeds and Leeds Sixth Form College.
Before moving to Leeds, Colin was Principal of Barnsley College and before that, Vice Principal at Newcastle College. Current board memberships outside of the Luminate Education Group are being a company member of Horsforth School Academy Trust and a trustee of the White Rose Academies Trust (WRAT). The WRAT is sponsored by Luminate. In addition to being the CEO of Luminate, Colin also acts as a National Leader of Further Education working for the national FE Commissioner.
Colin started his teaching career in South London in the 1980s where he worked for 16 years before moving back to the north. His experience as a teacher was very varied ranging from science and mathematics to general studies and teaching students with learning disabilities. As a middle manager in further education he was responsible for English, maths, ESOL and provision for students with disabilities or learning difficulties. Colin also worked for 9 years as a part time inspector for Ofsted between 1999 and 2008.
Scott
Jacques
Executive Principal, Springwell Academy
Scott worked for five years as an Adviser with the Local Authority in Leeds, creating, developing and implementing eLearning strategy and supporting school improvement. Scott also worked with DFE, QCA and National Strategies on the development of training and materials at a national level.
Scott was Head of School at an outstanding special school in Leeds, before joining the Wellspring Trust as an executive leader working at the Forest Academy in Barnsley. He spent two years as Executive Principal of Phoenix Park and Sevenhills Academies in Grimsby before moving back to Leeds to set up and open a new city wide SEMH special school, Springwell Leeds Academy in 2016.
Scott now also works as an Executive Principal with a group of Wellspring Academies in Leeds, and North Yorkshire: Springwell Harrogate Academy, Forest Moor School, Green Meadows Academy and Penny Field School.
Andi
Brierley
Senior Lecturer in Criminology, Investigation and Policing, Leeds Trinity University
| Andi has an interest in the relational experience of those who enter the justice system and those that work within it.
He has a particular interest in legitimacy, power, and experiential peers – exploring whether experiential peer involvement in the criminal and youth justice system enhances participation practice and whether this approach can support desistance which is the focus on his PhD. Andi has authored 3 crime and justice books and has had an extensive 15-year career in youth justice. |
Chris
Florey
Headteacher, Seacroft Grange Primary School
In addition to his work in Harehills, Chris has taught in Calderdale, worked abroad teaching English, and spent a year as a Special Needs Teaching Assistant before beginning his teacher training.
BEYOND EDUCATION
Jermaine
Benjamin
Co-founder and Director, Boost Talent
Jermaine is proud to be a Governor at Carr Manor Community School and is a Special Advisor to the Leeds learning Alliance. Jermaine has particularly strong experience in leadership, coaching, building great cultures and teams, process improvement, operations, and delivering change.
Jermaine has been involved with leading and participating in community projects for over 15 years in Leeds, and is passionate about supporting, developing, and enabling our next generation to be the best versions of themselves, removing barriers and helping people to realise their full potential.
Griselda
Togobo
Inclusive Leadership Expert, Founder & CEO, Novi
She has spent more than a decade building communities and championing equality for women’s and girls’ economic empowerment. She works closely with organisations to close the gender gap in the science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) sectors.
She is a multi-faceted entrepreneur, engineer, and chartered accountant. Her experience as a black woman in the corporate world drives her to help progressive global companies create inclusive workplaces. She works directly with CEOs and business leaders to embed a culture of inclusion at the heart of their talent strategy.
She graduated from Cambridge University, Wolfson College, with an MPhil in Industrial Systems, Manufacture and Management. Before becoming an entrepreneur, she was a management consultant at Deloitte LLP.
Griselda is also CEO of wearenovi.com, a women-in-business and leadership community designed to accelerate women’s success and redefine leadership. In response to the high rate of education exclusion in Sub-Saharan Africa, Griselda has launched Advancing Futures, a non-profit focused on addressing the educational needs of children in low-income communities in Ghana by supporting women’s economic empowerment.
Griselda recently created and took to market a new planning tool, the Goal Achiever Planner, designed to help high achievers plan their days with a holistic focus on mindful productivity, wellbeing, and mental health, while integrating work and family life effectively.
Griselda serves on the Board of The National School of Contemporary Dance and the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Women Academic Advisory Group. In addition, she is an Ambassador for the Open University, Black Students Support Fund, a Fellow at the Girls’ Schools Association (GSA), an Enterprise Ambassador at Leeds University, and a Leader in Residence at Lancaster University. Griselda lives in West Yorkshire with her husband, Michael, their son, Makavo, and daughter Elinam.
Stephanie
Burras CBE
CEO, Ahead Partnership
Stephanie Burras is the founder and Chief Executive of Ahead Partnership, market-leaders in delivering social impact programmes with employers that help young people to maximise their potential.
A graduate in languages, Stephanie worked as a partner within a global legal practice in London and Leeds before leaving the law to start Ahead Partnership in 2004.
Stephanie joined the International Advisory Board of Leeds University Business School in 2012 and helped set up the partnership with Goldman Sachs. She chaired the Leeds City Region Employment and Skills panel for 5 years and was awarded a CBE in 2014 for services to business. Stephanie sits on the Confederation of British Industry (CBI) Regional Council.
Sally-Anne
Greenfield
Founder and Director, The Greenfield Connection
| Sally-Anne has been working in leadership positions in education, health and community settings for almost 30 years.
Her most significant contribution was founding Leeds Community Foundation, in 2024, and helping it grow to one of the largest in the country. She has an Honorary Doctorate from Leeds Beckett University. |
Ash
Razzaq
Founder and CEO, CATCH
Asad Razzaq MBE is an experienced Police Officer with a background in Response, Neighbourhood and Counter Terrorism Prevent Policing. He is also the founder and Chief Executive Officer of CATCH (Community Action To Create Hope), a volunteer-led charity based in Harehills, Leeds focused on creating positive futures for children and young people. Asad has formed a number of strategic and collaborative partnerships over the years cutting across all sectors to support young people in Leeds.
CATCH is a significant youth and community work provider known for its scale, creativity, youth volunteering model and positive impact on key council and police priorities. CATCH is embedded in a number of pivotal strategic partnerships with schools, local authority departments and emergency services.
The CATCH provision is well established, has won several awards including the Child Friendly ‘Best place for children and young People in the city’, the Howard League Award ‘Policing and children category’ and more recently the Queens Award for Voluntary Service.
PERFORMANCE BY
