Browse the programme for our Governance Conference 2026. The full programme will be released soon, and you can check back here for updates.
Programme details are subject to change.
Welcome remarks from Samira Sadeghi, Director of Trust Governance, CST.
Director of Trust Governance, CST
Samira Sadeghi is Director of Trust Governance for CST. Prior to that, she was Head of Governance and Company Secretary at Academies Enterprise Trust, a multi-academy trust with 57 schools, and served as Regional Governance Officer at Ark Schools for four years. Before moving to the UK with her family in 2010, she was a criminal defence attorney and spent 12 years representing clients on California's death row in their post-conviction proceedings.
In an era of rapid change and rising complexity, governance must become more agile, purposeful, and human. In this session, Erika will share her experience in corporate governance and how practice in the private sector is addressing the increasingly volatile external environment, demonstrating the true strategic value of governance. Erika confirms that the governance professional role of the organisation needs to evolve “from compliance custodian to culture shaper and leadership enabler”.
Governance Strategist, Author and CEO at Beyond Governance
Erika Eliasson-Norris is a recognised authority on corporate governance, with a career dedicated to strengthening the integrity, resilience, and long-term value of organisations. She is the author of The Secret Diary of a Company Secretary, a candid and thought-provoking reflection on the realities of boardroom life, written to spark conversation and drive change across the governance profession.
As Chief Executive of Beyond Governance, Erika leads an international specialist advisory firm supporting executive boards. Through Beyond Governance, she helps organisations strengthen governance through on-demand company secretarial support, governance advisory, and governance training for boards, company secretaries, and general counsel. Her work focuses on embedding governance as a strategic enabler rather than a compliance exercise, bringing clarity, structure, and confidence to leaders navigating complexity. She is currently serving as governance assessor to the Post Office Horizon IT Public Inquiry, the largest statutory inquiry in UK history - a role that reflects her deep expertise and trusted standing in the field.
Prior to founding Beyond Governance, Erika held senior roles across FTSE-listed companies including InterContinental Hotels Group, Premier Foods, Low & Bonar, and KPMG. She became one of the youngest executives to advise a FTSE 250 board, demonstrating a longstanding commitment to governance excellence at the highest levels. Erika has also been recognised across the profession, including recent selection for Management Today’s Women in Leadership Power List 2025.
This panel brings together practitioners from outside the education sector to explore the shared pressures shaping modern governance. From heavier board‑reporting demands and limited capacity to emerging risks such as AI, cybersecurity, and geopolitical instability, boards across sectors face similar challenges. Our panel will examine practical responses that reduce fluffload, make governance more sustainable, and offer insights trusts can use to strengthen strategic focus, manage risk, and support better decision making in a rapidly changing environment.
Director of Trust Governance, CST
Samira Sadeghi is Director of Trust Governance for CST. Prior to that, she was Head of Governance and Company Secretary at Academies Enterprise Trust, a multi-academy trust with 57 schools, and served as Regional Governance Officer at Ark Schools for four years. Before moving to the UK with her family in 2010, she was a criminal defence attorney and spent 12 years representing clients on California's death row in their post-conviction proceedings.
Policy Advisor, Chartered Governance Institute
Dr Valentina Dotto is a Policy Adviser at the Chartered Governance Institute UK & Ireland, working on corporate and charity governance with a focus on Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) and AI, supporting transparent, accountable and future ready governance practices. She received the DIACC Heavy Lifter Award for Digital Governance and brings an interdisciplinary background across law and policy. Valentina is an Ordinary Member of the WCEL and a member of the GNHE.
She holds a bachelor’s degree in international relations from the Università degli Studi di Torino, completed alongside placements at the ILO–UN System Staff College, where she also earned a diploma in International Contracts and Agreements. Valentina completed an MSc in Asian Studies at Lund University, including research placements at the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy and in Malaysia, before earning a PhD in Law at Birmingham City University’s Centre for Excellence in American Legal Studies.
Governance Strategist, Author and CEO at Beyond Governance
Erika Eliasson-Norris is a recognised authority on corporate governance, with a career dedicated to strengthening the integrity, resilience, and long-term value of organisations. She is the author of The Secret Diary of a Company Secretary, a candid and thought-provoking reflection on the realities of boardroom life, written to spark conversation and drive change across the governance profession.
As Chief Executive of Beyond Governance, Erika leads an international specialist advisory firm supporting executive boards. Through Beyond Governance, she helps organisations strengthen governance through on-demand company secretarial support, governance advisory, and governance training for boards, company secretaries, and general counsel. Her work focuses on embedding governance as a strategic enabler rather than a compliance exercise, bringing clarity, structure, and confidence to leaders navigating complexity. She is currently serving as governance assessor to the Post Office Horizon IT Public Inquiry, the largest statutory inquiry in UK history - a role that reflects her deep expertise and trusted standing in the field.
Prior to founding Beyond Governance, Erika held senior roles across FTSE-listed companies including InterContinental Hotels Group, Premier Foods, Low & Bonar, and KPMG. She became one of the youngest executives to advise a FTSE 250 board, demonstrating a longstanding commitment to governance excellence at the highest levels. Erika has also been recognised across the profession, including recent selection for Management Today’s Women in Leadership Power List 2025.
A short address from Hannah Stolton, CEO, Governors for Schools.
CEO, Governors for Schools
Hannah Stolton has been CEO of national education charity Governors for Schools since January 2020. Hannah joined the organisation in 2017 where she managed the development of operations, enabling us to spend less time on administration, and more time working directly with potential volunteers and schools. After starting her career as a primary teacher, Hannah moved into the recruitment field, managing the UK operations of an in-house agency. She brings 20 years' experience in this area to Governors for Schools, where she focuses on expanding our reach across England and Wales. Hannah is currently chair of governors at a primary school in Essex.
As the sector moves toward a fully trust‑led system, more trusts will operate at significant scale. We know that scale profoundly changes governance, and trusts need clarity about how to evolve governance as scale increases. Drawing on insights from rapidly growing Catholic trusts, this keynote introduces our joint paper for consultation, setting out the principles of effective governance at scale and exploring why these will matter for every trust in the years ahead.
Director of Trust Governance, CST
Samira Sadeghi is Director of Trust Governance for CST. Prior to that, she was Head of Governance and Company Secretary at Academies Enterprise Trust, a multi-academy trust with 57 schools, and served as Regional Governance Officer at Ark Schools for four years. Before moving to the UK with her family in 2010, she was a criminal defence attorney and spent 12 years representing clients on California's death row in their post-conviction proceedings.
Director of Policy and Programmes, Trust Governance Professionals
Head of Governance & Company Secretary, The Co-operative Academies Trust
Sarah Lay has worked in governance roles for more than 15 years, holding professional positions in educational institutions and independent professional bodies. She is the Head of Governance and Company Secretary at the Co-op Academies Trust, a large multi academy trust in the North of England, where she leads a team of governance professionals facilitating effective decision making and stakeholder engagement across 38 diverse communities.
Sarah is passionate about promoting the profile of academy governance professionals across the wider sector, and in identifying opportunities for cross-sector learning, development and collaboration. She is a trustee of a charity in central Manchester, and the winner of the National Governance Association's Outstanding Lead Governance Professional Award 2025.
In this practical reflection session, Jackie Eason will help us distil the day’s insights into a small number of specific, actionable steps they can take back to their trusts. Through guided reflection and focused discussion, attendees will identify what matters most for their context, clarify where to start, and leave with concrete next actions to strengthen governance practice in the months ahead.
Consultant and governance expert
Jackie has worked as a governance consultant since 2012 and was appointed as a National Leader of Governance. She is based in the South West and has worked with school trusts across the country. She has a professional background in quality assurance, mentoring, training course design and delivering engaging, inspiring training. Jackie has delivered ERGs for trusts of all phases and sizes, including special schools and foundation trusts and she has supported trusts through growth and merger and provides mentoring support to trust boards and chairs.
Jackie is the programme director for the CST Chairs Development and Governing a School Trust Programmes; she particularly enjoys working with groups of chairs to support them in what can be an isolated and challenging role.
Jackie is currently the trust board chair for the Leading Edge Academies Partnership and is a member for the Academies for Character and Excellence. In her leisure time she enjoys time with her grandchildren and walking her dogs on the beautiful beaches of Cornwall.
Jackie was awarded an MBE in the New Years Honours list of 2022 for her services to education.
This panel discussion with Shuab Gamote, co‑author of Inside the Mind of a 16‑Year‑Old and lead author of the more recent Inside the Mind of a NEET, will draw on his two major projects that centre young people’s voices. We will explore what meaningful listening really requires, what young people say when they are genuinely heard, and how trusts can build governance approaches that respond to their insights with honesty, humility, and purpose.
Director of Trust Governance, CST
Samira Sadeghi is Director of Trust Governance for CST. Prior to that, she was Head of Governance and Company Secretary at Academies Enterprise Trust, a multi-academy trust with 57 schools, and served as Regional Governance Officer at Ark Schools for four years. Before moving to the UK with her family in 2010, she was a criminal defence attorney and spent 12 years representing clients on California's death row in their post-conviction proceedings.
Researcher and Advisor
Shuab Gamote is a researcher and advisor focused on young people, political engagement and public-service reform. He was a Political Leadership Scholar at the Blavatnik School of Government and co-author of Inside the Mind of a 16-Year-Old, a nationally recognised study of Gen Z’s identity, media worlds and political attitudes. Shuab sits on Alan Milburn’s national commission on rising NEET rates and is a member of the Strategic Advisory Group for the Centre for Digital Information Literacy in Schools (CDILS), a new initiative of the National Institute of Teaching.
Director of Trust Governance, CST
Samira Sadeghi is Director of Trust Governance for CST. Prior to that, she was Head of Governance and Company Secretary at Academies Enterprise Trust, a multi-academy trust with 57 schools, and served as Regional Governance Officer at Ark Schools for four years. Before moving to the UK with her family in 2010, she was a criminal defence attorney and spent 12 years representing clients on California's death row in their post-conviction proceedings.
Today we are asking what we do to shift from theory to practice, particularly in light of policy changes and the advent of AI. In this interactive session, we revisit the cautionary tale of Mackenzie Education Trust and go further: translating the lessons into three concrete actions every governance professional should be taking right now. Because an AI policy alone is not enough - effective AI governance demands culture, process, and people. Governance leads will leave this session empowered to show the way.
Legal Director, Browne Jacobson
Claire specialises in data protection, AI, information governance, and freedom of information for education clients at Browne Jacobson LLP. Her extensive experience leading a data protection officer service as well as experience working as a school business manager and as a local academy board governor equips her with a profound understanding of school challenges. Claire received the European Picasso 'Champion' Award for her ability to support and promote a positive information governance culture within schools, and the important work done by school staff to protect children's personal data. Claire is also a co-author of the IRMS Records Management Toolkit for Schools and Academies and is known for her effective public speaking and advocacy for data protection importance in education. Additionally, Claire's expertise extends to AI governance and edtech. This experience and knowledge makes her an invaluable resource for educational institutions.
With the shift toward a fully trust‑led system, mergers and growth remain critical strategic questions for trust boards. Purposeful, values‑led mergers are the most likely to deliver lasting benefit for pupils, staff, and communities. This session explores the realities of the merger journey, drawing on trusts that have been through the process, examining what worked well, what could have been better, and what boards should consider when deciding whether, when, and how to merge or grow.
Chief Operating Officer, Compass Eko Trust
Trust Leader of Governance and Operations, Compass Eko Trust
Jill is an experienced governance professional, and has worked in the education sector for a number of years. Prior to its merger, Jill worked at Eko Trust from September 2020. Before this, she worked as a Secondary School Business Manager in Newham and Hackney for 14 years before she moved roles to focus on school governance as part of a governor services team in 2012. During her time as part of this team, she developed an expertise in academy governance.
Technology and AI offer powerful ways to embed Next-gen governance by improving how we capture stakeholder voice, speed up feedback loops, and create intelligent, insight‑rich information flows. This session explores how boards can harness digital tools to reduce workload, improve strategic focus, and build more sustainable governance systems. We will hear from a trust that has used technology creatively and intentionally to enhance oversight, support better decision making, and make governance fit for the future.
General Manager, GovernorHub
With over 15 years’ experience in governance, spanning governor support service roles as well as volunteering as a governor and chair in Buckinghamshire, Ellie Cheshire is now General Manager at GovernorHub. A strong advocate for reducing the administrative burden of governance, Ellie has spearheaded a number of key developments at GovernorHub, including leading the way on the safe and effective use of AI in governance. This has resulted in the implementation of AI-powered tools designed to support boards and improve efficiency.
In this roundtable session, join up to 24 other trust leaders for a round table discussion. Led by Lesley Dolben in a format that is part clinic, part open mic, this is an opportunity to share your questions and challenges, and explore the practicalities of governance at scale. Due to the more intimate format of this roundtable, be prepared to work through pressure points and solutions in an open and safe environment. Please note you must have pre-booked this session to attend.
Consultant and Governance Expert
Lesley is a governance professional and former Head of Local Governance at United Learning, led national delivery of trust growth, governance, policy development, and leadership training and support. She now works across trusts and faith sectors delivering ERGs, CEO performance reviews and school trust development. An ILML7 coach, Lesley coaches and mentors leaders and leadership teams. She holds an MEd, is a fellow of both CCT and CMI, chairs two LGBs, and is a trustee of two charities.
The reform of the SEND system places significant new responsibilities on governance. Boards will be accountable for developing a workforce that can deliver, repurposing school estates, and stewarding the cultural shift toward a more inclusive mainstream. This session offers practical guidance and clear takeaways on how boards can approach their strategic role in SEND reform, strengthen oversight, and ensure their trust is ready to meet the expectations of a more inclusive, high‑accountability system.
Director of Inclusion, River Learning Trust
Katherine Walsh is the Director of Inclusion for River Learning Trust. She is an experienced teacher and school leader and has led SEND provision in primary and secondary schools in England and America. Over the past ten years, Katherine has developed particular expertise in working with leadership teams to develop school-wide systems, establishing shared and inclusive visions for the education of children and young people with SEND. Katherine was a lead author on the Department for Education commissioned Whole School SEND Teacher Handbook: SEND.
Partner, Stone King LLP
Richard has over 23 years’ experience in advising schools and local authorities on a wide range of education issues including admissions, exclusions, SEN, disability discrimination and other Equality Act issues. His advice has covered both state funded and independent schools. Richard also has significant experience in SEND law and other local authority education issues such as transport, school re-organisation, legal challenges and complaints.
Parents have never been more involved in their children’s education. This creates both opportunities and challenges for trusts, particularly when expectations diverge or complaints escalate. With the Schools White Paper signalling a shift from ‘withdrawn to engaged’, governance will be expected to steward stronger, more intentional relationships with families. This session explores how trusts can rebuild relational trust, reduce friction, and move from complaints to constructive conversations. Join this session to hear from work at Orion Education, who are treating relationships with the same intentionality as curriculum and pedagogy.
Director of Primary Education, Orion Education Trust
Fiona Kelly is Director of Primary Education at Orion Education Trust, with trust‑wide responsibilities across primary and secondary for reading and relational leadership. She also leads the community strand of the trust’s strategy, which underpins work on culture, relationships and belonging across schools.
Fiona works closely with leaders to strengthen early literacy, curriculum quality and teaching practice, with a particular focus on improving outcomes for disadvantaged pupils. She leads the development and implementation of the Orion Relationship Toolkit, supporting schools to build strong, inclusive communities where children and adults can thrive.
She is a qualified Working Genius facilitator with Patrick Lencioni’s The Table Group, and regularly works with leadership teams to improve communication, clarity and collective effectiveness.
Fiona is deeply committed to ensuring that every child, regardless of starting point, experiences an excellent education and leaves school confident, capable and ready for the next stage.
Managing Director, Edurio
Iona runs the insights team at Edurio, responsible for the creation of new surveys and analysis of the national datasets on staff, pupil and parent experience. Since joining Edurio in 2021, Iona has worked on national reports focused on topics such as equality, diversity and inclusion and staff retention. Iona brings over 10 years of research experience, previously working in fields from technology, to food waste, to finance.
