List of RISE advisers
Published 8 May 2025
Applies to England
© Crown copyright 2025
This publication is licensed under the terms of the Open Government Licence v3.0 except where otherwise stated. To view this licence, visit nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/version/3 or write to the Information Policy Team, The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gov.uk.
Where we have identified any third party copyright information you will need to obtain permission from the copyright holders concerned.
This publication is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/rise-programme-lists-of-advisers-and-schools/list-of-rise-advisers
Two cohorts of regional improvement for standards and excellence (RISE) advisers have now been appointed. They have extensive educational experience and a track record of improving schools.
The first cohort of RISE advisers
Joe Ambrose, Associate Director of Strategy, Greenshaw Learning Trust
Lesley Birch, Deputy Chief Executive, Meridian Trust
Karen Bramwell, Chief Executive, Forward as One Church of England Multi-Academy Trust
Kate Brunt, former Chief Executive, Rivers CofE Academy Trust
Maria Dawes, Chief Executive, Schools Alliance for Excellence
Lynsey Draycott, Chief Executive, Matrix Academy Trust
Paul Haigh, Headteacher, King Ecgbert School
Angela Holdsworth, Chief Executive, Sea View Trust
Matt Jones, Executive Principal, Ark Globe Academy and Ark Evelyn Grace Academy
Kath Kelly, Chief Executive, Lionheart Education Trust
Lee Mason-Ellis, Chief Executive, The Pioneer Academy
Siobhan Meredith, Executive Director of Education, Ted Wragg Multi-Academy Trust
Catherine Morley, Headteacher, Theale Church of England Primary School, and Director of Education, Thames Learning Trust, Berkshire
Vanessa Ogden, Chief Executive, Mulberry Schools Trust
James Page, Chief Executive, Haringey Education Partnership
Kate Parietti, School Improvement Adviser, West Berkshire Local Authority
Maura Regan, Deputy Lieutenant, former Chief Executive, Bishop Hogarth Catholic Education Trust
Jonathan Taylor, Chief Executive, Sapientia Education Trust
Martin Vevers, Executive Head Secondary, Laurus Trust
Chris Wheatley , Chief Executive, Flying High Trust
The second cohort of RISE advisers
Julian Axford, Director of School Improvement, Chiltern Learning Trust
Mark Bedford, former Headteacher, Twyford CofE Academies Trust
Jonathan Bishop, Chief Executive, Cornerstone Academy Trust
Nick Blackburn, Chief Executive, Lingfield Education Trust
David Boyle, Chief Executive, Dunraven Educational Trust
Emma Bradshaw, Chief Executive, Alternative Learning Trust
Nic Brindle, Chief Executive, Youth Engagement Schools Trust
Jonathan Britton, Chief Executive, Wonder Learning Partnership
Lucie Calow, Director of SEND, Unity Schools Partnership
Rob Carpenter, Chief Executive, Inspire Partnership Academy Trust
Herminder Channa, Regional Director for West Midlands, Oasis Community Learning
Jamie Clarke, Chief Executive, Tove Learning Trust
Anita Cliff, Chief Executive Advisor, Manor Multi Academy Trust
Tim Coulson, Chief Executive, Unity Schools Partnership
Matt Dickson, Senior School Improvement Adviser, The Education People
Nina Dohel, former Director of Education, Southwark Council
Paul Drew, Chief Operating Officer, The Lighthouse Federation
Martin Finch, Chief Quality Assurance Officer, Tapton School Academy Trust
Alison Fletcher, Director of CLF Institute, Cabot Learning Federation
Clare Flintoff, Chief Executive, Asset Education
Annie Gammon, former Interim Director of Education, Plymouth City Council
Narinder Gill, Director of Leadership and Transformation, Inspiring Generations
Chris Gould, Director of Education and Deputy Chief Executive, Truro Penwith Academy Trust
Amanda Griffiths, Teaching School Hub Director, L.E.A.D Academy Trust
Sian Hampton, Chief Executive, Archway Learning Trust
Paul Heery, Chief Executive, White Hills Park Trust
Mike Ion, former Education Director, Avanti Schools Trust
Pippa Irwin, Headteacher, Beverley School
Claire Lowe, Chief Executive, Inspire Learning Partnership
Christopher Mansell, former Chief Executive of Birmingham Diocese Multi-Academy Trust
Heather McLachlan, Chief Executive, Potteries Educational Trust
Tim Mills, Executive Director of Primary, STEP Academy Trust
Pan Panayiotou, Chief Executive, South Downs Education Trust
Sharron Philpot, Chief Executive, Victoria Academies Trust
Anthony Quinn, Director of Education, Our Lady of the Magnificat
Lucy Scott, Chief Executive, Eastern Learning Alliance
Janet Sheriff, Chief Executive, Collaborative Learning Trust
Jo Stoaling, Head Teacher, Three Ways School
Tom Twort, Deputy Director of Education, REAch2 Academy Trust
Julie Waddington, Director of Education, King Edward VI Foundation and Multi-Academy Trust
Emily Walker, Director of LEARN SEND Hub, part of Community Inclusive Trust
Simon White, former Chief Executive of Vision Academy Learning Trust, director of Omnis Education Consultancy Ltd
Maria Williams, Head of Service, School Improvement and Early Years, Bradford Local Authority
Emlyn Wright, Service Lead Standards and Learning, Wigan Council
Melissa Young, Director of Education, Warrington Primary Academy Trust