As a reporter she was keen to tell the stories of people who are not usually heard. In fact – this dedication and commitment to journalism has influenced the government to make permanent changes in UK law. In 2012 Nicola revealed on BBC Radio 4’s The World at One, how hundreds of children were being detained in police cells because of a shortage of mental health hospital beds. This story led to a change to the Mental Health Act.

Whilst reporting for the BBC Six O’Clock news, Nicola also uncovered how hundreds of hospital patients in England were victims of life changing “never events” – these being preventable errors considered so serious the NHS says they should never happen. As a result, she was invited to speak at conferences in the UK and internationally including at the Health and Safety Executive, the Foreign Office and at the Scottish Parliament.

Nicola’s previous experience includes working as a secondary school teacher in inner city schools where she was determined to encourage her students to achieve their best. Passionate about education, she spent years encouraging young people from disadvantaged backgrounds to fulfil their potential in her home city of Birmingham

Phillip began his career in 2001 as a teaching assistant at Avenue Primary School in Belmont and progressed through classroom and senior leadership roles, including Headteacher at Cheam Park Farm Junior Academy and Executive Headteacher at Cheam Common Junior Academy.

He is nationally recognised for his work in school improvement, digital strategy, PedTech and assistive technology. Phillip is a Senior Partner in Challenge Partners, a Liveryman of the Worshipful Company of Educators, a Freeman of the City of London, a Fellow of the Chartered College of Teaching, and a member of the LGfL Teaching & Learning Group. Under his leadership, LEO has become a lead trust in the National EdTech Hubs network and a Google for Education Reference District, known for delivering digitally enriched, inclusive, and ambitious learning environments.

He is a regular contributor to education policy and practice at a national and international level, speaking at Bett UK, the Department for Education and during the United Nations General Assembly’s High Level Week of Action with the Foundation for Education Development (FED). Phillip’s leadership is driven by a belief in social mobility, equity, and empowering educators to lead transformation within their communities. He regularly contributes to educational thought leadership and is currently working with schools across the UK, as well as in a range of countries including: Denmark, Finland, Singapore and the USA. 

Phillip is a Foundation Director for Christ the Redeemer Catholic Education Trust; a multi-academy trust with schools in Kingston, Richmond & Wandsworth.

Outside of education, Phillip is Chair of Trustees for the Sutton United Foundation, which supports grassroots sport and community engagement across the London Borough of Sutton.