Former Head Teacher and General Secretary of ASCL​

Brian Lightman was General Secretary of the Association of School and College Leaders from September 2010 to January 2016. He is now an education consultant providing advice and support to school leaders. Brian is acknowledged as an authority on the English and Welsh education systems. He regularly contributes to seminars and conferences on education, writes extensively and has frequently appeared in the media. His experience includes two headships, seats on UK and Welsh Assembly Government committees and being an external examiner and an Estyn inspector. 
Brian is a Patron of the National Citizen Service, serves on the board of the Careers and Enterprise Company and the PiXL Edge Charity. He was included in the 2014 Debrett's list of the 500 most inspiring and influential people in the UK.

Former Head Teacher and Educational Consultant

Madeleine Vigar is a former Executive Principal of an All-Through Academy Trust and has a vast array of experience of working with pupils, students, teachers and governors to improve outcomes.

She is also a qualified OFSTED inspector and is currently Chair of the Suffolk Association of Secondary Headteachers. She is a mentor Headteacher for the Future Leaders Trust and is currently working with three Principals in schools in challenging circumstances in the East of England.

Madeleine is a National Leader of Education (2011) and also has experience of working as an Education Design Manager, advising on the creation of new school buildings nationally for the projects branch of a major construction company.

Between 2013 and 2014 Madeleine was seconded part-time to Suffolk County Council, bringing together all Suffolk Headteachers (both Primary and Secondary) in a partnership to facilitate an aspect of the Raising The Bar programme.

Chartered Member of IOSH and School Safety Expert​

Stuart is a highly experienced Chartered Health and Safety practitioner with over 20 years of experience. He cut his teeth as a Local Authority Enforcement Officer before moving into consultancy and becoming Managing Director of two safety companies for a UK risk management plc. During this time he focussed on helping schools with safety management, training and cultural improvement programmes, becoming one of the most respected practitioners in the UK in the process.
Stuart has been used by the National Association of School Business Managers (NASBM) as their competent person to advise their membership on health and safety for many years.
Stuart designed both the SafetyMARK and EdSafe audit systems and has audited hundreds of schools producing action plans and assisting schools in implementing them in the process. He helps schools to drive a safety culture which is both strategic and proportionate

Former Head Teacher and CEO of a Multi-Academy Trust

After over 30 years in education, over half of which was spent in senior leadership positions, Alan set up his own consultancy company to focus on the areas he has been passionate about over the years:
- Improving school standards, particularly of teaching and learning
- Science education and the assessment of learning across the age range
- Strategic leadership and support
- Accountability structures and processes
He brings some key experiences to bear on this work. His extensive headship experience put him at the heart of the specialist school and academy movements. He set up a new phase 1 academy that (uniquely at the time) replaced three separate schools.
He set up a Multi-Academy Trust for a HE sponsor and has been involved in international school improvement projects with the University of Cambridge.
As a supporter of leadership development he has worked with a number of academy trusts as well as through e-learning platforms. He has also worked as a school improvement partner and OFSTED inspector.

Former Head Teacher and Safeguarding Expert

Martin enjoyed a teaching career in a wide range of secondary schools spanning 34 years with 24 of them in senior leadership positions, including two headships. His experience as a Headteacher in the Catholic sector gives him a unique insight into Faith schools. His successes are rooted in his track record in improving student outcomes through high quality leadership and management and the effective use of resources. He has specialised in leading schools in challenging circumstances and demonstrated that an unflinching focus on core functions will raise standards. He always maintained a teaching commitment in all of his leadership roles. In addition to his role with Handsam, Martin also provides support for schools with improvement projects and reviews of all key areas including governance, senior and middle leadership, organisational structures, individual subject reviews, assessment, student behaviour and provision for the disadvantaged.  His role as Chair of a PRU in the East Midlands has provided him with a valuable insight into alternative provision and federated models of schooling.

Teacher and Expert on SEN, Care in Schools and Behavioural Issues

Julie Whittingham is a qualified teacher with a wealth of experience encompassing both the maintained and academy sectors, mainstream and social, emotional and mental health schools. She has taught across the key stages from foundation to Year 11, for students of varying ability.
Julie brings to Handsam her expertise in special educational needs provision, medicines and behavioural issues. Although now a Science specialist in her current role, Julie has taught several subjects during her career and is an able and versatile educator.
Julie holds a law and politics degree, a masters in education, a forest school qualification and is a union representative, as well as being a freelance writer.

School Trips, Adventurous Activities and Overseas Travel Expert

Julian holds full national occupational health and safety qualifications with specific expertise in travel, adventure and educational visits. He is also a Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society, past Trustee of the Institute of Outdoor Learning and has 20 years' experience of managing risk in a variety of environments around the world. He has specific expertise in critical incident response from being a Commissioned Officer in the British Army, and latterly as a Director within one of the world's largest schools travel companies World Challenge. Julian is also a member of IOSH, with a NEBOSH Diploma.

Chartered Accountant and School Finance Expert

Tom is a Chartered Accountant, who qualified with Big Four Accountancy firm Deloitte & Touche. Prior to that he obtained a Masters of Engineering degree from the University of Cambridge. He is now a leading financial expert for schools and has helped shape the Government’s Schools Financial Value Standard. He has a broad range of experience across different sectors and industries and has worked for a wide range of clients. As well as many years experience in the Education sector, he has a background in Financial Services, Manufacturing, Retail, Utilities and other areas of the Public Sector, enabling him to bring a wider perspective to the financial management of schools.

Chartered Member of IOSH and School Safety Expert

Paul Knight has been working in Operational Risk Management for 20 years and has spent the last 10 involved specifically in health and safety. He spent several years as a Principal Consultant for a large corporate insurer and has been involved with a diverse range of clients spanning many sectors including construction, utilities, health & social care, charities, publishing, retail and education. Paul has developed and delivered numerous bespoke training courses as well as being an IOSH and NEBOSH accredited trainer. He is a graduate member of the Institute of Fire Engineers, a chartered member of IOSH and an associate of The Institute of Risk Management.

Former Head Teacher and Welsh Schools Expert

Steve is able to draw from his 16 years of experience as Head Teacher of a large comprehensive school in Wales. He was formerly a professional adviser to the Welsh Government’s Department for Education and Skills and the Department of Social Justice. During this time he acted as an advisor to the National Numeracy and Literacy Advisory Panel and the All Wales CONTEST Board. He is also a former President of ASCL (Cymru) and was a Director for Careers Wales (Mid Glamorgan and Powys) and is currently serving on the Board of Directors for Techniquest, the Active Arts Trust in Wales and the Motivation Learning Trust.

Steve has undertaken a wide range of work in the public and private sector i relation to educational policy and development in Wales.

First Aid Trainer and Paramedic

Martin has worked as a first aid trainer and paramedic for over 15 years. His experience began in the Army as a specialist canoeist. He has worked all over the world and also volunteered on lifeboats when stationed in the north east of England.

Former Head Teacher and President of ASCL

Dr Chris is a lawyer with a doctorate in educational law, a former comprehensive school Head, and Visiting Professor of Educational Law. He has written extensively on education, employment and health and safety law. He is also a former President and Legal Secretary of ASCL, Chair of EVAC (Educational Visits Advisory Council) and President of the European Secondary Heads Association.

Former Head Teacher and current Chair of Governors and Clerk to the Governors

Michael Howells, formerly Head Teacher of two voluntary aided schools in Cardiff, has extensive experience of management and governance within the Further Education Secondary and Primary sectors in Wales. He was governor of an FE College for 26 years and has been Clerk to the Governing Body of the only Sixth Form College in Wales for 18 years.
Following devolution from 1999 to 2008, Mike was appointed as the firs Field Case Office for Wales for SHA Cymru (Secondary Heads Association), now ASCL, handling complex matters regularly while advising and supporting colleagues or carrying out investigations.
At present he is Chair of two voluntary aided schools in Cardiff. Additionally, Mike serves on the Cardiff Governors' Management Committee and is a trained Admissions Appeals Chairman for the ArchDiocese of Cardiff and the Diocese of Menevia.