Jo is CEO of Northern Lights Learning Trust, a growing primary and secondary multi-academy trust, in the North East of England which currently comprises of twelve schools, a DfE Teaching School Hub, ITT and DfE Early Years Stronger Practice Hub. Northern Lights serves some of the most disadvantaged communities nationally. Jo is committed to leading Northern Lights as an inclusive Trust that seeks for everyone to flourish and believes in a people-centred approach.

 Jo is passionate about collaboration and system leadership across the North East and beyond, having Chaired the DfE Primary Headteacher Reference Group, sat on a wide range of DfE Advisory groups and roles and takes on a wide range of roles in the system, including as a Trustee of Ambition Institute, as Vice Chair of Schools North East, as a previous National Leader of Education and as an Ofsted inspector. Jo is an experienced leader, particularly in the field of school improvement, who believes passionately in the power of collaboration for a stronger school system. She was awarded an OBE for Service to Children and Schools in 2022.

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