Our People
Challenge Partners is supported by dedicated trustees and practitioner groups who guide and strengthen our work. Our board, chaired by Susanna Eastham, ensures we meet our aims and remain financially and legally compliant, while offering expertise in areas such as digital transformation and safeguarding.
As a proudly practitioner-led organisation, our Educational Advisory Group and other practitioner advisory groups shape our strategy, programmes, and networks to meet the needs of schools and trusts. In 2023/24, they contributed to key initiatives including the Trust Leaders’ Conference, the SEND Developmental Peer Review, and the Middle Leaders Quality Assurance Review.
Honorary President
Sir Jon Coles, long-standing CEO of United Learning, was Challenge Partners' Founding Chair of Trustees and led the Board and Challenge Partners through a successful first decade.
In September 2021, he handed the Chair of Trustees baton to Chris Davison and was appointed Honorary President.
Board of Trustees and Advisers
Our Leadership Team and Senior Partners are accountable to our Board of Trustees. They ensure that Challenge Partners continues to work towards our aims and that the charity remains financially and legally compliant. The board meets regularly and is chaired by Susanna Eastham.
Education Advisory Group
The Education Advisory Group (EAG) is a group of school and trust leaders in our partnership, who support and challenge us to inform our development. This group meets regularly and a trustee attends as an observer to provide an important link between the EAG and our Board of Trustees.
Trust Advisory Group
Anna Paige United Learning Trust
Annie Wiles Aquila The Diocese of Canterbury Academies Trust
Ben Styles National Foundation For Educational Research
Carolyn Robson CBE Practitioner Facilitator
Jo Heaton Northern Lights Learning Trust
Kieran Osborne Practitioner Facilitator
Michele Marr Castle Phoenix Trust
Paul Watson Preston Hedges Trust
Sarah Ridley The Mead Educational Trust
Sharon Burt Solent Academies Trust
Steve Rollett Confederation of School Trusts
Jon Andrews The Education Policy Institute
Task and Finish Group
Alision Moller Julian's Primary School
Andy Roberts Riverside School
Antony Edkins The National College of Maths
Claire Byron Hatton Academies Trust
Fiona Abankwah The Sydney Russell School
Gary Phillips The Charter Schools Educational Trust
Gee Kader The Mead Educational Trust
Lal Chadeesingh The Behavioural Insights Team
Mel Bignold West Lea School
Nick Butt Educational Consultant
Rachel Hargreaves The Ascent Academies' Trust
Simon Corner Wade Deacon Trust
SEND Advisory Group
Claire Byron Oakway Academy
Claire Dorer National Association of Independent Schools & Non-Maintained Special Schools
David Bartram Prescient Education
David Williams The Park Academies Trust
Jonny Uttley The Education Alliance
Laura Page Schools Supported
Margaret Mulholland Association of School and College Leaders
Mike Finlay Springwater School
Ruth Sturdy SEAX Trust
Sharon Burt Solent Academies Trust
Central Team
Led by Acting Chief Executive Laura Lewis-Williams and Executive Director Dame Sue John, our Central Team members have a wide variety of backgrounds and experience. All are committed to our goal of reducing educational inequality and improving the life chances of children.
Our Supporters and Partners
