Women in Education Award
Emily Bell, Head of Schools Relationships, Hachette Learning
Emily Bell is a leader who has a real impact on global teacher development. As Head of Schools Relationships at Hachette Learning, she understands what schools need and ensures they get it. Wherever educators are in the world, she provides high-quality professional development. As an ex-teacher, Emily’s leadership is grounded in education while strengthened by her commercial understanding, and further amplified by her capacity to build strong, trusting relationships with partners across diverse international contexts.
Kat Cauchi, Community Engagement Manager, NetSupport
Kat is a strong advocate for women and girls in education and technology. As NetSupport’s Community Engagement Manager, her initiatives – such as the Her Tech Life podcast and R.I.S.E. magazine – amplify women’s voices, tackling topics like menopause and workplace wellbeing.
Kat’s impact extends beyond her workplace. She actively supports organisations like the Global Equality Collective, delivers tech career assemblies with InnovateHer, and mentors women through TechUP. As Chair of BESA’s Women’s Educational Suppliers Network, she supports women’s professional growth and provides a welcoming forum for everyone to share their knowledge and experiences.
Her research on teaching’s impact on personal relationships sparked discussions across the sector, while her public speaking at events like Bett UK and the We Are GLOBAL Women’s conference demonstrate her confidence in sharing her message.
A role model for aspiring women in tech, Kat engages with schools to share her journey and lend encouragement. She always celebrates others’ achievements, elevating and supporting women wherever she can!
Dawn Hallybone, COO, 2Simple
For over 30 years, Dawn Hallybone has played a pivotal role in education, spanning classroom teaching, school leadership, local authority consultancy, governance, and now executive leadership in EdTech. It’s this breadth of experience, underpinned by a clear and consistent sense of purpose, that sets her apart.
At 2Simple, she leads strategy and operations with a sharp focus on what works for teachers and children, while supporting those around her to thrive. She has served on the Executive Council of BESA for six years, helping shape the UK EdTech sector. As the only primary representative on the ETAG advisory group and a TES Innovator of the Year finalist, she has championed curriculum-led technology before it became standard practice.
Dawn built her career in spaces where female leadership was rare and chose to step forward. She continues to do so through the Women in EdTech mentoring circle at Bett, demonstrating that it’s possible to move from the classroom to board level without compromising your values.
For her leadership, sector impact, and commitment to championing women in education, Dawn Hallybone is a deserving recipient of the Women in Education Award.
Jane Mann, Managing Director, Partnership for Education and Education Director, International Education Group, Cambridge University Press & Assessment
Jane Mann is the Managing Director of the Partnership for Education and Education Director in the International Education Group at Cambridge University Press & Assessment.
Jane has worked in the educational sector for nearly three decades, advising on, implementing and managing programmes of system-level change and improvement, across diverse contexts, including Education in Emergencies. She has worked with ministries of education, government agencies, non-governmental organisations, donor agencies and educational organisations to support large-scale system transformation through to targeted specific interventions.
Jane has also worked outside the education sector, advising and consulting on regulatory frameworks, trade publishing strategy, communications and process redesign. She has been a speaker at events such as the Education World Forum, London Book Fair, Transforming Education Summit (UNGA77), Global Online Learning Alliance and the Global Education Summit, is a member of the Centre for the Study of Global Human Movement (University of Cambridge) and a Salzburg Global Seminar Fellow, and is also a member of the BESA Executive Council.
Jane champions the role of women in the industry, builds high impact teams, and advocates for quality education for all.
Helen Newies, Director of Product and Services, Maths Circle
Helen Newies is a highly respected leader at Maths Circle Ltd (TT Rock Stars and NumBots), whose work has strengthened both the organisation and the wider education community. Through thoughtful leadership and a clear focus on impact, she has helped shape a supportive team culture while guiding the development of products used by millions of pupils worldwide.
Helen plays a key role in strategy, recruitment and product development, ensuring that every innovation is grounded in what will genuinely help teachers and support children’s learning. She has led major projects including improvements to the Times Tables Rock Stars platform and the development of MTC Mode to support schools preparing for the Multiplication Tables Check.
Beyond the organisation, Helen regularly speaks with educators and students, including at industry events and school visits, while actively supporting women in edtech through mentoring, advocacy and her involvement in BESA’s Women in Tech network.
Dr. Ona Newton, Founder, RLKids and CEO, Tobams Group
Dr. Ona Newton is a visionary education leader and innovator driving inclusive, technology-enabled learning across global communities. With over 26 years of experience, she has led the design and implementation of scalable education initiatives that integrate artificial intelligence, adaptive learning, and values-based education to improve access and outcomes for learners.
Since 2018, her work has focused on developing and expanding impactful solutions, including AI-enabled learning ecosystems, a growing library of over 140 educational resources, and talent development platforms that connect young people to training, mentorship, and global opportunities. Through strategic partnerships with schools, NGOs, and community organisations across 14+ countries, her initiatives have reached over 100,000 learners, particularly in underserved communities.
Dr. Newton is also a passionate advocate for women and youth empowerment. Through her outreach programmes, she has supported over 5,000 girls with education, confidence-building, and leadership development initiatives.
Her work is defined by a commitment to equity, innovation, and sustainability, combining technology with human-centred design to create lasting impact. Dr. Newton continues to influence education systems by championing inclusive practices and demonstrating how AI can be harnessed to personalise learning and expand opportunity for all.
Lana Stoyles, Executive Director, Nexus Multi Academy Trust
Lana Stoyles, Executive Director Nexus Multi Academy Trust, is the person you want in the room when it matters. She started her career in education as a Finance Officer and has seen, first hand, how decisions land in real schools. Budgets under strain and the reality that every pound has a pupil behind it. That perspective shapes how she leads.
Lana joined Nexus MAT in 2022 and changed the way we think commercially. She was instrumental in Nexus MAT securing our Chartered Institute of Procurement and Supply accreditation. The first Multi Academy Trust to have received the accreditation and Lana can take sole credit for this achievement.
Lana Stoyles is a powerful role model for women and all those in education business leadership. She mentors, encourages and makes room at the table and backs people to take it. She shows that you can be exacting and kind. Commercially sharp and deeply human. She has changed how colleagues in our Trust, and beyond, see procurement and commerciality within the education system. She is a pioneer in the education space and a powerful example of the difference women can make when they lead with both expertise and heart.