Darren McGarvey, also known by the stage name Loki, is a writer, columnist and hip hop recording artist, who has made regular media appearances as a social commentator. He was recently inducted as Fellow of the Royal Society of Literature which deemed his books on social inequality to be of 'outstanding literary merit'. 

Darren will be leading a keynote session on Leading a school in an unequal society.

Jon Yates is CEO of the Youth Endowment Fund, a £200m initiative to reduce youth violence. He co-founded the UK’s National Citizen Service and authored Fractured: Why Our Societies Are Coming Apart. Jon has advised government on education policy and serves on the boards of Ofsted, the Children’s Commissioner, and UK Youth.

Jon will be leading a keynote session on Why are we so divided – and can we fix it? 

Tom Campbell is the CEO of E-ACT, a multi-academy trust that encompasses 38 schools and over 25,000 pupils across the UK. With a background in psychology and executive education from Cambridge, Tom has dedicated over two decades to transforming schools, focusing on culture, strategy and innovation.

Andrea, a Jamaican-born educator, taught in Brent for over 20 years before joining E-ACT Braintcroft Academy in 2018. She became Headteacher in 2021, leading significant improvements. Now Head at E-ACT Crest Academy, she continues to make a strong impact locally.

James joined E-ACT in 2013 as part of the senior leadership team at E-ACT The Oldham Academy North. James then went on to become headteacher at E-ACT Burnham Park Academy in Slough before relocating back to the north to become the headteacher at E-ACT Blackley Academy.

Amy and Aimi will be joining us from South Families in Focus. Families in Focus provides intensive, coordinated support for children (0-18) and families with complex needs. This includes parenting challenges, mental or physical health issues, risk of exploitation, substance misuse, and domestic abuse.

Ian is a recently retired system leader in the education landscape in England following extensive experience as a school leader, school improvement advisor and CEO of GFM Education. He now works as a researcher, writer, level 7 qualified executive coach, consultant and NED.

Jenn Plews is the CEO at Northern Star Academies Trust. The trust is committed to developing the unique nature of all of its schools and communities with  a particular focus on strong governance, sustainability and climate change education. The trust is dedicated to improving the life chances of every child and Jenn has championed external civic partnerships and collaborative work drawing on the strong ethos of teamwork and ethical leadership and values.

Harry Kutty is the Headteacher of Cantell School in Southampton, a large comprehensive school that represents the diversity of its vibrant local community. He is the Trust Leader of the Aspire Community Trust, a group of 9 schools that work together to shape the life chances of 3000 children aged between 4-16. Harry also holds several non-executive roles focussed on community development including with Hampshire Cricket, Solent LEP and Sport England.

Gerry is Executive Headteacher at Haringey Learning Partnership, working across a pupil referral unit, tuition service, SEMH provision, outreach services, respite provision & adolescent psychiatric inpatient provision.

Dave Bennett MBE is the Executive Headteacher of The Winstanley School and a champion of schools as drivers of community change. Committed to empowering students, he has embedded community organising into the curriculum through Citizens UK, enabling young people to lead campaigns on local issues. Under his leadership, Winstanley has become a model for student voice and civic action, influencing schools across Leicester. Awarded an MBE for services to education, Dave continues to advocate for school leadership that sees community engagement as essential, not optional.