The Association of Education Advisers (AoEA) is proud to announce the appointment of six outstanding individuals to its Board of Directors, effective May 2025. These newly appointed Non-Executive Directors bring a wide range of expertise and leadership experience that will further strengthen our capacity to deliver high-quality education advice and support throughout the UK and beyond.
Joining the AoEA Board are:
- Zoubiya Ahmed, a seasoned leader in British, IB, and K–12 education systems with two decades of impactful experience. Currently pursuing a PhD in Learning and Leadership at UCL, Zoubiya is also a Fellow of the Chartered College of Teaching and a certified NPQ leadership coach and assessor.
- Cathryn Billington-Richards, a Principal Improvement Partner with the Central South Consortium in Wales. Her focus on curriculum and cross-curricular skills brings critical insight into school improvement and professional development.
- Richard Gill CBE, CEO of the Arthur Terry Learning Partnership and Chair of the Teaching School Hubs Council. His strategic influence on education policy and practice is nationally recognised.
- Clara Seery, Director of Education at Ivy Learning Trust, with over 25 years of experience in improving outcomes in primary, secondary, and special schools.
- Rama Venchard MBE, a leader with a strong background in both the commercial and educational sectors. Rama’s consultancy experience and governance roles, combined with his MBE recognition, speak volumes about his dedication to the education sector.
- Chris Passey, Deputy Head at Kimichi School and co-founder of EduPulse. A passionate advocate for the arts and Head of The Musical Theatre Institute, Chris blends creative vision with strategic leadership.
These accomplished professionals join our esteemed existing board members: Chair Les Walton CBE, Vice-Chair Michele Sutton CBE, John Boyle OBE, Gurdeep Baldwin, and Dr Albin Wallace.
“We are thrilled to welcome such an accomplished group of professionals to the AoEA Board of Directors. Their diverse expertise and unwavering commitment to education will be invaluable as we continue to elevate the quality of education advice and support across the UK and beyond.”
– Les Walton CBE, Chair of the AoEA
At the AoEA, we are dedicated to connecting educators and raising the quality of education advice. With our new Board members, we are poised to drive forward innovation, collaboration, and meaningful change in educational leadership.
Learn more about the AoEA and our Board: www.aoea.co.uk/about-aoea
