Robyn Ellis

School and College Trust Leader, Dixons Academies Trust

Robyn Ellis joined Dixons Academies Trust in March 2022, to lead on Dixons OpenSource, onsite, insight and external partnerships. Robyn now looks after communications, projects and the office of the school and college trust leaders. Prior to working at Dixons, Robyn was the global head of leadership development and manager enablement for Booking.com, a leading digital travel company. She has held a number of roles in change, communications, programme management, strategy, talent development and leadership. Robyn started her career in education, consistently working with leaders in schools in the most challenged areas and is deeply committed to our mission of challenging educational and social disadvantage in the north of England.

1 Workshop series one

Governance to support AI: Putting the safeguards in place

Data and information governance is more critical than ever to ensure that individuals’ data is protected, and that data is used ethically and responsibly, by people and, increasingly, by AI. This panel explores best practice policies and processes that trusts should have in place, with insights from Ark Schools, Central Region Schools Trust, and Dixons Academies Trust, sharing their respective approaches to implementing effective data and AI governance.

15:30

1 Main programme

Room 101 - Data and AI challenges unpacked

This interactive session invites delegates to share common frustrations and recurring challenges they face in their work. Whether it’s unclear strategy, siloed systems, or pressure to deliver insights without sufficient support, no topic is off the table. Contribute your own experiences or listen in as peers identify the issues that they would consign to Room 101.

1 Workshop series one

Circles in action: A smarter system for strategic delivery

This workshop introduces the Dixons Circles operating system, a high-value, low-bureaucracy approach to delivering strategic priorities through expertise-led collaboration. Participants will explore how big-move, standing and transformation circles operate, how decisions flow through clear cycles of delivery and review, and how circle leads ensure accountability. Through practical examples, the session will examine how radical transparency and healthy professional relationships enable faster problem-solving, stronger cross-trust alignment and more disciplined execution of the work that matters most.