Formerly a primary Headteacher, Niki has substantial experience of working on collaborative school improvement and leadership development, through roles such as a Lead Associate for the National College for Teaching and Leadership for Southern England, as a co-leader of a networked learning community and an LA consultant advisor (with a particular focus on collaboration and networks). As an SPP associate, Niki has worked with a range of clusters including TSAs, MATs and local systems.

Pam Butterfield has been integral to the development and delivery of peer review training for Education Development Trust. Having taught in London schools for 35 years, Pam led a secondary girls' school in West London to outstanding status while serving as Head. She provided school to school support for many years as part of the London Challenge and as a National Leader of Education. From 2009 to 2016, Pam was also a College Associate for the National College of Teaching and Leadership both in London and internationally.

Vanessa has a wealth of experience from 16 years of teaching, including 9 years' Headship where her school was judged by Ofsted to have made ‘outstanding progress’ under her leadership. She also draws on a vast experience at Local Authority level where her last post was Head of the School Improvement Service for 0-11. Now an independent education consultant/adviser, Vanessa works in a diverse range of schools and MATs on a number of professional development and capacity-building projects, including the BI Norwegian Business School in London, Leeds, Oslo and Stavanger. Vanessa leads on the Master of Management Programme in School Leadership as a lecturer and facilitator.

Nicola has extensive experience working in Education. She has worked in schools and in Local Authorities delivering training at all levels and advising on school improvement. As Headteacher, she led her school to ‘outstanding’ where leadership was described as ‘exceptional.’ As well as being an Associate for Education Development Trust, she is Assistant Director of Education in Essex where she is responsible for the School-Led Improvement Strategy and School Partnership working. She has developed peer review across the county and supported partnerships in other areas.

David Horn was the founding CEO of the Beckfoot Trust and before that headteacher of Beckfoot School, in Bradford for 19 years. Overseeing the development of an outstanding school paved the way for the development of the Beckfoot Trust, a multi academy trust now serving 7500 Bradford young people and employing 1100 staff.  David was a National Leader of Education.

Since retiring from his role as CEO in 2021, he has established a business in executive coaching, peer review facilitation and consultancy within education settings. David is particularly interested in the potential of multi academy trusts, if led and managed effectively, to transform life chances for young people by creating a culture of trusting collaborative partnership across schools.

David has an MBA in International Educational Leadership and a Masters in Curriculum Studies. He is an ILM L7 qualified Executive Coach. He was awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award in the 2020 Pearson Teaching Awards and a Special Recognition Award by the organisation ‘Forum Strategy’ in 2021.

Emma ensures the robust project management of the end-to-end development and delivery of the Programme. Emma started off teaching and then moved into programme management at WEA (Workers’ Educational Association) so she brings a wealth of experience to the SPP team.

Kate provides programme management coordination and support. This involves liaising with a wide range of stakeholders, including schools, delivery partners and facilitators, and supports the day-to-day delivery of the programme.

Jo has worked with the Schools Partnership Programme since 2015, providing programme support and assisting in developing and implementing our marketing and communications strategies, including managing SPP's social media, communications and website.