A Mancunian by birth, Dame Ann describes herself these days as a ‘philanthropist, mover & Quaker’, trying to do more ‘good’ for people, places and planet.

Ann’s teaching career in Further Education began at Wythenshawe College, Manchester in 1976, whilst she was undertaking her PhD at the University of Liverpool. She enjoyed a successful career in the FE sector in Manchester and Derbyshire before becoming a Principal & CEO – firstly at Milton Keynes College in 1986 and then at Cambridge Regional College in 1996. In 2001, Ann moved into the civil service where in the Department for education, she was responsible for the UK government’s flagship digital learning initiatives, learndirect, UK online and gov.uk.

Ann is currently Pro Chancellor of the University of Surrey, Chair of the City & Guilds of London Institute and Chair of the Lifelong Education Institute. She is also Vice President of the education sector’s social justice charity, the Helena Kennedy Foundation which Ann herself set up in 1998. Ann also serves as Chair of The Lloyds Bank Foundation, the charity arm in England & Wales of the Lloyds Banking Group, and is Deputy Chair of The King’s Foundation, a heritage-led regeneration and sustainability charity founded by HM The King. From 2015-2021, Ann was the first female Chair of The Scouts UK.

In 2019, Ann was named #1 LGBTQ+ public sector role model in the OUTstanding List and one of the 50 most influential women born in the North of England in the Northern Power Women Power List. In the 2011 Birthday Honours, Ann was awarded the OBE for services to education, in 2015 ‘upgraded’ to CBE for public service, and in Jubilee Honours 2022 ‘elevated’ to the rank of Dame Commander of the British Empire, DBE for services to young people, philanthropy and charity.

Dr. Faten Hani is a distinguished chief executive with over 30 years of experience in steering complex, multibillion-dollar projects across the Middle East. Her strategic acumen and operational expertise have consistently driven successful outcomes in various sectors, including education, culture, financial services, and community development. With a deep commitment to fostering talent, building capacity and building international partnerships, Dr. Hani is a visionary leader dedicated to transforming opportunities into sustainable growth.

She has contributed to the design of strategic national plans and visions for Saudi Arabia, Oman, the UAE, and Lebanon, positioning herself as a trusted advisor to governments and institutions. As the Chairperson and member of Business Advisory boards for Education and public developmental institutions, she has shaped policies and strategies that promote educational, cultural advancement and economic growth.

Dr Faten holds a Doctorate from Nottingham Trent University (UK), complemented by a Master’s in International Business Innovation from Barcelona Executive Business School (Spain) and a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration with a focus on Banking and Finance from UAE University. This robust educational foundation equips her with the analytical skills and strategic insights necessary to navigate complex business environments.

Pedro Noguera is one of the nation’s leading scholars on issues related to race, inequality, and education. Currently he serves as the Dean of the Rossier School of Education, and Distinguished Professor of Education at USC. Previously he held endowed chairs at UCLA, NYU, Harvard and the University of California, Berkeley. He is the author of 15 books, hundreds of articles and editorials, and serves as an advisor to several states, school districts, foundations, NGOs and nonprofits. Noguera has received eight honorary doctorates from American universities, and he has received several awards for his research and advocacy efforts aimed at promoting educational equity. In 2023 he was ranked 1^st in the nation for influence and impact in the field of education, by Education Week. He was born in NY City to Caribbean immigrants, and is the father of five children, and grandfather to five.

Dia Bryant specializes in advising and training urban superintendents to build and sustain high-performing district teams. Previously, she served as the Executive Director at The Education Trust New York and held various roles at the New York City Department of Education, including Special Assistant to the First Deputy Chancellor.

With extensive experience in educational leadership, Dia has a proven track record in instructional design, equitable school improvement, and change management. She earned her bachelor's degree in Economics from Kalamazoo College, a master’s in Math Education from Brooklyn College, and a Doctorate in Education Leadership from the Harvard Graduate School of Education.