Lauren Thorpe

Chief Transformation Officer, United Learning Trust

Lauren is the Chief Transformation Officer at United Learning, the largest trust in England. She leads the trust’s work on digital strategy, data and insights, curriculum and assessment, as well as the programme of transformation projects across the organisation. Prior to this, Lauren was the Director of Standards & Performance and Director of Strategy at Ark Schools. Earlier in her career Lauren led a secondary free school to its first good from Ofsted as principal, has taught computer science and IT in a range of schools, and was a research director for a thinktank in Westminster. Lauren holds an undergraduate degree in Computer Science, a master’s degree in ICT in Education, she has sat on the DfE Ed Tech Advisory Board and Workload Review Panel, and is a serving Ofsted inspector. During the academic year 2025-26, Lauren is Chair of the CST Data and insights professional community.

Hall 7b

1 Series four

Implementing innovation: Leading AI and edtech strategy for positive futures

AI and edtech are reshaping education, and strategic leadership is critical to ensure innovation delivers real impact. This session explores how school and trust leaders can drive positive futures through ethical, scalable use of digital technologies. We’ll examine key decisions around investment, assessment, curriculum, and workforce readiness in an AI-driven world. Drawing on Pearson’s national and global insights, the session offers practical guidance to align innovation with trust-wide goals to support excellence, equity, and integrity.

09:20

1 Main programme

Welcome remarks

Welcome remarks from Lauren Thorpe, Chief Transformation Officer, United Learning Trust and Chair of CST Data and insights professional community.

09:35

1 Main programme

Keynote: Designing for an AI future: Data, infrastructure and the changing edtech market

The role of data and AI in the education sector is moving at pace and transforming the opportunities to shape impact across our schools. Madiha will guide us through some of the big trends, share some of the advice that she provides to ed tech organisations that she works with, and provide us with the insights we need to shape this new technology's use in our trusts.