Our board

Rich is a Managing Director at SEDA Experts and a Non-Executive Director at AbacusBio (a New Zealand based agri-business). He has previously been a Managing Director at Deutsche Bank and Chief Financial Officer at Beacon Platform, a New York fintech. Rich is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants.

Rich has two young daughters, is a Trustee of The Athelstan (Multi-Academy) Trust and supports Ambition as Board Chair and Chair of the Finance and Risk Committee.

Rich says, “Ambition has a committed, skilled and passionate management team working across the education system. For me, it is a great opportunity to support teachers, school leaders and therefore disadvantaged children.”

“This is an exciting time for Ambition with the scaling up of the Early Career Framework and NPQs, giving us the opportunity to reach many more teachers and leaders."

Sam is Senior Adviser at Ark and a Senior Fellow at the Institute for Government. Prior to this, he led Ark’s Education Partnership Group (EPG), was an Executive Director at Teach First and was a senior policy adviser to the Secretary of State for Education. He is also a governor of Woodside High School in Tottenham and a board member of the Holocaust Educational Trust and the Teacher Development Trust.

Sam says, “Ambition’s innovative programmes, and their focus on areas of disadvantage, help teachers and leaders across the country improve their practice, which is critical to developing a high-quality education system in which all young people can thrive.”

Cecilia is the Chief Executive Officer and co-founder of Hyve Dynamics and the founder of Tech Women Today. Her 20-year career in banking and technology spanned senior positions with major Wall Street firms before she became COO of Citigroup Markets and Securities Services Technology. Cecilia is passionate about fostering diversity and catalysing innovation and inclusive thought in the landscape of technology.

Cecilia says, “Ambition Institute exemplifies dedication to excellence in education. It is a privilege to support Ambition’s vision of an education system where every child can thrive, no matter what their background.”

Jo leads a primary and secondary multi-academy trust, which has nine schools, a DfE Teaching School Hub and DfE Early Years Hub. Jo’s other roles include being a trustee, an Ofsted inspector and a member of the Department for Education’s North East Advisory Board and DfE Recruitment & Retention Expert Advisory Group. Jo has been a facilitator, participant, partner and contributor to materials on Ambition Institute’s National Professional Qualification programmes.

Jo says, “I know first-hand the difference we make as educators to the lives of disadvantaged children. It is a complete privilege to change the lives of our most vulnerable children through education. I want to ensure our most disadvantaged children, including our children with SEND, receive the best education and that all education colleagues receive the best professional development. I am excited about being part of shaping Ambition's carefully designed strategic priorities, knowing the difference that they can make.”

Jo leads a growing multi academy trust of 26 schools in the Midlands and North West. Prior to this, Jo led three secondary schools, worked within a Local Authority, was Ofsted’s Regional Director for the North West and National Director of ITE, and held the status of Her Majesty’s Inspector.

Jo says, “For over 25 years, I have been privileged to lead teams of excellent teachers and senior leaders who have worked innovatively and tirelessly to provide the best possible teaching and learning to students. This should be the norm, not the exception; an excellent education in a supportive environment is what every student deserves.”

John leads a 14-school multi-academy trust which has built excellent practice in leadership for school improvement and professional development, particularly in SEND. John shares his expertise across the education sector on a range of topics including school culture, effective school improvement, executive leadership, and leading groups of schools at scale. John holds several other trustee roles.

John says, “As a child who grew up in poverty, I personally know the impact a great education and a great teacher has. The needs of those who are disadvantaged by system barriers is the core of my personal mission: the values and principles of Ambition align completely with my own. I admire the quality of Ambition’s work and the impact that it has on the quality of teaching and leadership across the sector.”

Jon is CFO for N Family Club, a provider of high quality Early Years education in London and the Home Counties. Originally a chartered accountant with Price Waterhouse, he has worked in senior finance positions for companies such as BT, Turtle Bay Restaurants and Pret a Manger.

Jon says, “I was fortunate to have a good education which opened up life and career opportunities for me. I feel strongly that all children should have such opportunities, and Ambition plays an important role in enabling great schools and teachers to provide this.”

Natalie co-founded the Education Policy Institute and has led the charity since 2015. Before that, Natalie held several roles in Cabinet Office and the Department for Education. Natalie is currently a trustee of two multi-academy trusts and of the Fair Education Alliance – a national charity which aims to tackle inequality through collective action.

Natalie says, “As a Trustee, I am proud to support Ambition Institute’s vision for an education system where every child can thrive, no matter what their background. High quality teaching is vital in helping to close the gap between disadvantaged pupils and their peers, and so Ambition's focus on high quality, evidence-led professional development has never been more important.”

Paresh brings more than 30 years of experience from the digital and technology sector, with executive experience in digital innovation and commercial partnerships in the telecommunications and technology sectors. Paresh has significant previous experience of being a non-executive director and has also served as a school governor.

Paresh says, “From the moment I got to understand the scale of the impact that Ambition makes, I knew I wanted to be part of its journey. What I love about Ambition is that it’s a forward-looking organisation, providing ground-breaking programmes for educators across England, with a special focus on serving children from our society’s most disadvantaged backgrounds. I truly believe that technology can be a force for good. I’m personally looking forward to supporting Ambition to harness the latest digital innovations to shape the future of young lives across the country.”

Rachna’s work at The Walt Disney Company covers Reward across 25+ countries in Europe, the Middle East and Africa, with her remit expanding into diversity and inclusion. She is also treasurer for the Global Girl Project, which mobilises socially-minded and community-driven young women from developing countries to become leaders.

Rachna says, “Teachers and school leaders have a such an influence on future generations, and Ambition’s passion and commitment is to ensure they are equipped and supported to do this for all children no matter their background.”

Rebecca is the CEO of one of the largest trusts in the country, serving more than 33,000 children in 58 schools across primary, secondary and special phases. Rebecca’s previous roles include Director of Secondary Education at Ark, Regional Schools Commissioner for the South West and a secondary headteacher in Bristol.

Rebecca says, "Nothing is more important to a child's education than the quality of the teachers and school leaders they encounter during their time at school. I am proud to be part of an organisation which is committed to investing in the talent and capacity of teachers and leaders throughout their careers, so that they can have the biggest impact in the schools and communities that need them most."

Sarah’s professional work is focused on tackling the economic divide between the North and the South of England. Her role in managing research and advocacy covers the key drivers to economic growth: education and skills, tackling long-term disadvantage, innovation, transport and devolution. Sarah previously held senior roles at the Labour Party including as Director of Political Services for the Parliamentary Labour Party, and as Head of Campaigns.

Sarah says, “Excellent teaching changes lives, transforms communities and helps to grow the economy. I really welcome Ambition’s laser focus on improving life chances for the most disadvantaged children through exceptional teaching, and I’m really looking forward to supporting the great work the organisation does by playing my part in shaping and delivering a fantastic strategy for the future.”

Advisor to the Board

Hardeep has 18 years of experience working on digital, data, and AI initiatives for major brands such as Just Eat, ITV, Sony PlayStation, and Barclays. Hardeep began his career in consulting with HP and IBM, and now shapes the data strategy for ITV’s Media & Entertainment division.

Advisor to the Board

Summer is a leader of a multi-academy trust of 18 schools across Norfolk. Summer is a nationally respected expert and author on curriculum and leadership.