Our team

Estelle Morris

President

Estelle Morris is a former Secretary of State for Education and teacher, and is now a member of the House of Lords as well as Chair of the Birmingham Education Partnership.

John Furlong

Vice-President

John Furlong, OBE, a former London school teacher, is an Emeritus Professor of Education at the University of Oxford. He is a former President of the British Educational Research Association, and Fellow of the Academy of Social Sciences. In 2017, John was awarded the OBE for services to educational research and advice to government.

Jane Creasy

Chair

Educational and public sector leadership at local and national level. Former Operations Director at the National College for School Leadership and Headteacher.

Robert Spencer

Treasurer

Former Director of Finance in non-for-profit membership organisations for 10 years until retirement. Has experience of overseeing charity investments.

Charlotte Cashman

Vice-Chair

Experienced early years teacher, school governor, charity trustee and pioneering international teacher trainer in early literacy.

Anood Al-Samerai

Trustee

Experience in local and national government and the voluntary sector. Former education charity director.

Janice Miller

Trustee

FCMA. Has wide experience in charity leadership, governance and overseas development, including education and child protection. Formerly extensive general management, finance and consulting experience in the corporate sector.

Suela Aksoy

Trustee

A philanthropy professional who has successfully implemented corporate social responsibility initiatives, and has a wealth of experience in grant-giving for young people including for foundations and Comic Relief.

David Crowther

Trustee

A former Acting Director of BFSS. He has worked in publishing and international educational assessments, to developing education programmes for government.

Nick Tesseyman

Trustee

Has worked for the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development and Christ's Hospital School, and has voluntary roles including as an Independent Visitor for a care experienced young person.

Jeanette Brady

Trustee

Worked as a SENCO and since retirement visits UK schools to keep her knowledge up to date to transfer to SEND projects in Uganda.

Alex Macdonald

Trustee

Worked for international charities, coordinated international SEND, education and employment projects; and is currently working in grant giving.

Davinder Dosanjh

Trustee

An experienced former teacher with extensive experience in leading teacher training as an Associate Professor. She has worked with international schools. Davinder is a trustee for two charities and a governor at a university.

Joanne Knight

Director

Extensive experience as Director of grant giving charities, with investments and fundraising for income. Former Trustee of Association of Charitable Foundations and Manager of Starehe UK, a Kenyan education charity.

Belinda Lawrance

Administrator

Keeping the Foundation running smoothly since the 1990s!

Ashley Kuchanny

Grants Manager

Background in international development. Monitoring and Evaluation Specialist, with experience working with NGOs and research institutes.

Sara Gaines

Communications Manager

Wide experience in communications for education charities, universities, community organisations and technology companies. Former journalist for The Guardian.