- This event has passed.
BSA/TIOB – Annual Boarding Conference
🏷️ From £595
🎧 Current and aspiring boarding leaders, including Deputy Heads and Heads of Boarding
📍 Crowne Plaza, Nottingham
🏠 Accommodation not included. If you are unable to secure a room at the Crowne Plaza, alternative hotels within a 10-minute walk include Garner Hotel Nottingham City Centre, Hilton Nottingham, Mercure Nottingham, Roomzzz Aparthotel, Park Plaza Nottingham and St James Hotel.
Headline sponsor: Witley Jones
Don’t miss the 2026 Annual Boarding Conference!
Join colleagues from across the sector at the Crowne Plaza Nottingham for two unforgettable days of insight, inspiration, and connection. Explore the latest trends and opportunities in boarding, dive into thought-provoking sessions, and share best practice with peers in lively round tables and breakouts.
⭐ “Very good for understanding what’s happening in boarding nationally and globally.”
⭐ “A really enjoyable conference with great networking opportunities.”
This is your chance to network, recharge, and take away fresh ideas to energise your school community. And of course, the highlight: the BSA/TIOB Annual Conference Dinner on January 27, 2026, following a sparkling drinks reception with live music.
Book your place now and connect, collaborate, and be inspired!
Programme:
Tuesday 27 January
10:30 – 11:00 Registration
11:00 – 11:15 Boarding360 – A full-circle view of boarding
This year’s conference theme, ‘Boarding360 – A Full-Circle View of Boarding’, invites us to reflect on the complete boarding experience: from the pupils in our care to the staff, families, and communities who shape their journey. Together, we’ll explore how every element of boarding connects to create environments where young people flourish and pastoral teams thrive.
Through shared insight and collaboration, ‘Boarding360’ encourages us to see boarding in its entirety, celebrating its people, its purpose, and its power to transform lives.
Speaker: Katrina Handford, Conference Chair and Head, Kent College Pembury
11:15 -12:15 Framing lives
The frameworks built around young people in the boarding environment shape not only their academic and social success, but also their wider life trajectories. Drawing on both home and boarding-house experience, the speaker, whose husband previously served as a houseparent, shares personal insights and professional expertise to explore how schools can influence identity, belonging, and independence.
Through compelling stories and reflective questions, Michelle challenges delegates to consider how the narratives we create around boarding impact students’ sense of self, resilience, and readiness for life beyond school. Attendees will leave inspired to view the boarding experience as a transformative force, one that frames lives far beyond the school gates.
Speaker: Michelle Griffith Robinson OLY
12:15 – 13:00 Lunch and networking
13:00 – 14:00 Global village round table
Facilitated discussions on hot topics including boarding standards, state boarding, UKVI compliance, marketing boarding and more.
14:00 – 14:45 Bucking the boarding trend: The real story behind the numbers
Despite frequent headlines suggesting that boarding is in decline, the reality tells a very different story. Recent data from the BSA reveals that more pupils are boarding in UK schools than figures from the ISC census suggest. Across the sector, schools are innovating to meet the needs of modern families, with flexible, weekly, and tailored boarding options becoming increasingly popular, particularly in prep schools.
Join our panel of sector experts to explore how schools are successfully growing their boarding numbers, reshaping perceptions, and championing the relevance of boarding in today’s educational landscape.
Panel:
- Louis Yates, Housemaster, Lord Wandsworth College
- Jane Hamblett-Jahn, Director of Boarding, Brighton College
- Camilla Luard, Head of Boarding, Bilton Grange School
14:45 – 15:15 Conformity and its impact on adolescent behaviour and boarding culture
Herman is the BSA’s 2025 Research Fellow. His research explores boarding culture, particularly the situational influences that drive conformity and their impact on adolescent wellbeing, alongside the development of situational awareness training for boarding staff.
Speaker: Herman Visagie, Michael House, South Africa
15:15 – 15:45 Refreshments and networking
15:45 – 16:45 Converting challenges to opportunities
In a rapidly changing educational landscape, the ability to adapt, innovate, and inspire has never been more essential. Boarding school leaders are continuously navigating complex challenges, from shifting family expectations and evolving student needs to increasing competition and public scrutiny. Yet, within every challenge lies the seed of opportunity.
Drawing on his experience as a transformational leadership expert, Jim will share practical tools and mindsets for turning obstacles into powerful catalysts for growth. Known for helping leaders and teams achieve what once seemed impossible, Jim offers insights into building courage, resilience, and clarity of purpose in times of uncertainty.
Through engaging storytelling and real-world examples, this thought-provoking session will inspire leaders to reframe risk, empower their teams, and create cultures that embrace change with confidence. Delegates will leave with renewed energy, actionable strategies, and a fresh perspective on what it means to lead boldly in the world of boarding.
Speaker: Jim Lawless, CEO, SYMMETRY & Bestselling Author
16:45 Day one conference close
19:00 – 19:30 Drinks reception sponsored by IGTM
Music by Trent College students
19:30 Annual conference dinner sponsored by Moore Barlow
After-dinner speaker: Martin Reader FTIOB, Chair, BSA Foundation
Wednesday 28 January
09:30 – 10:00 State of the boarding nation
The latest trends, concerns and opportunities as reported by BSA member schools around the world
Speaker: David Walker, Executive Director, Boarding and Director BSA/TIOB
10:00 – 10:30 Creating cohesive boarding environments
This session explores the “full circle” of pastoral care: from understanding student needs and nurturing community spirit, to supporting staff wellbeing and building meaningful connections with parents. Delegates will gain insight into how schools can create cohesive boarding environments where every adult plays a role in shaping the culture and every pupil feels seen, supported, and valued.
Panel:
- Jessica Riege, Senior Head of House, YK Pao School
- Tanya Lee, Deputy Head (Pastoral), The King’s School Canterbury
- Herman Visagie, Michael House, South Africa
10:30 – 10:45 What it means to employ a school nurse: the responsibilities that come with employing a school nurse
Speaker: Rosie McManus, Nurse Advisor, HIEDA
10:45 – 11:15 Refreshments and networking
11:15 – 12:15 Break out session
1. Why offer staff supervision in boarding schools
Lessons from offering supervision and training to the education sector.
Speaker: Penny Sturt, Lead Associate Training, Talking Heads Supervision
2. Leading with impact
Mastering the art of management
Speakers:
- Tracy-Anne Barker, Director, The Managers Training Company
- Kirstin Miller, Business Manager, The Managers Training Company
3. Beyond the school gates: why the journey shapes the boarding experience
Welcoming and supporting students before they even arrive.
David Williams, CEO, IGTM
4. Procuring sustainably
Ethical sourcing of boarding furniture that lasts.
Speakers:
- Matt Jones, Director, Witley Jones
- Dave Manser, Director, Witley Jones
5. Toolkit for frontline boarding staff
Managing access requests, incidents, complaints and allegations.
Speakers:
- Lily Bohling, Solicitor, Moore Barlow
- Olivia Stanton, Senior Associate, Moore Barlow
12:15 – 13:15 Break out session
1.Executive functions
Equipping students with skills for life after school.
Speakers:
- Emma Millo, Assistant Head (Professional Development and EDI), Haileybury College
- Belinda Edington, Managing Director, MindSpark
2. Employing a school nurse – getting it right for your school
Ensuring you meet the school’s needs & NMC legal requirements.
Speaker: Rosie McManus, Nurse Advisor, HIEDA
3. Predictive safeguarding: getting ahead of the problem
Using tech to simplify and improve safeguarding.
Speakers:
- Hoong Kwan, Founder, CEO & CCO, SEQRD
- Neil Buirski, Founder & Director, Marketing and Technology, SEQRD
- Arabella Northey, Head of Partnerships and Communications, SEQRD
4. Good design will keep your boarding houses full
Exciting but affordable ideas for attractive accommodation.
Speakers:
- Karl Hearn, Strategy Development Consultant,Noble + Eaton
- Jo Ladds, Associate Education Consultant, Noble + Eaton
- Andrew Lewer, Senior UK Adviser, Noble + Eaton
- Dean Remmington, Strategy Development Consultant, Noble + Eaton
5. Toolkit for frontline boarding staff
Managing access requests, incidents, complaints and allegations.
Speakers:
- Lily Bohling, Solicitor, Moore Barlow
- Olivia Stanton, Senior Associate, Moore Barlow
13:15 – 14:00 Lunch and networking
14:00 – 15:00 Keynote: Holding your nerve: leadership and resilience in boarding schools
Jo will share lessons on leading with courage and clarity, drawing on her extensive experience ranging from flying a Tornado GR1 to global boardrooms.
Speaker: Dr Jo Salter MBE, Britain’s first female fast jet pilot and author
15:00 – 16:00 Regional inspection and compliance
An update on the latest updates and implications for boarding with compliance specialists.
Speakers:
- Kate Hollyer, Executive Director – Legal, BSA Group David Walker, Executive Director, Boarding and Director BSA/TIOB
- Dale Wilkins, Executive Director, Scotland/Wales & Accredited/Compliance, BSA Group
16:00 Conference close
🎤 Speakers:
Katrina Handford, Conference Chair and Head, Kent College Pembury
Katrina took on the headship at Kent College Pembury in January 2022, having been Senior Deputy Head and Acting Head at Nottingham Girls’ High School, GDST. A History teacher by training, following a degree in Economic and Social History at the University of Birmingham, Katrina values the importance of equipping students with the skills needed to make a positive impact on the world. Her Masters in Education, the GDST’s Aspiring Leadership Programme and the Executive Leadership Programme at the University of Oxford Saïd Business School have all provided a good grounding in school leadership, preparing her to take on the headship at Kent College.
Katrina believes in a learning environment which unlocks the potential of all though cutting-edge teaching and learning, an extensive enrichment programme and outstanding pastoral care, where all students can achieve above and beyond their potential. Her aim is to give students the opportunity to become resilient and compassionate leaders of the future, ready to take up their place in the world as considerate and kind global citizens.
Michelle Griffith Robinson OLY
Michelle is a former Olympian and Triple Jumper who represented Great Britain for two decades, including at the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta. The first woman to jump over 14 metres in the Commonwealth, Michelle has since become a respected life coach, personal trainer, and ambassador for Diabetes UK. Drawing on her elite sporting experience, she helps individuals and organisations build resilience, confidence, and a positive mindset. Michelle’s husband has worked and lived in boarding throughout his career, giving her a deep understanding of the unique opportunities and challenges within boarding communities. A proud wife and mother of three, Michelle is passionate about promoting wellbeing, balance, and self-belief in all areas of life.
Dr Jo Salter MBE BEng (Hons), MBA, DA (h.c.)
Dr Jo Salter MBE BEng (Hons), MBA, DA (h.c.) is Britain’s first female fast jet pilot and a pioneering leader in aviation and transformative leadership. After flying the Tornado GR1 with 617 Squadron and instructing future pilots, she transitioned into a global business career at PwC, where she led transformative leadership and digital strategy initiatives. Now a speaker, coach and advisor, Jo inspires audiences on resilience, inclusion and change. An author and advocate for ethical AI and inclusive leadership, she was named Global Gurus’ No. 1 Motivational Speaker for 2025 and awarded an MBE and Honorary Doctorate for her service and leadership.
Jim Lawless, CEO, SYMMETRY and Bestselling Author
Beginning his career as a solicitor, Jim now helps clients adjust to the future of work and the constant rate of change in modern society. He has worked with the likes of ITV, BP, Fiat, Virgin, Vitality, Xerox, Microsoft, Unilever and Apple. Author of “Taming Tigers: Do Things You Never Thought You Could”, Jim has developed several rules to change a business or an individual’s life around. These rules have been tried and tested by Jim himself, by becoming a televised jockey in 12 months and taking the British freediving record. Jim was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society for the Arts in recognition of his business writing.
Martin Reader, Chair, BSA Foundation
Martin is a former Head of Cranleigh & Wellington Schools who now works as a consultant. He served as BSA Chair in 2018-19. He is a Fellow of the RSA, Emeritus Fellow of the BSA and Trustee of the BSA Foundation.
Herman Visagie, Housemaster, Michaelhouse (South Africa)
Herman has over 15 years of boarding experience, with previous roles including School Counsellor and Head of Life Orientation. He is currently a Housemaster at a leading boys’ boarding school in South Africa, where he also teaches English. He holds a Master’s in Residential Education from the University of Buckingham and was awarded the BSA Fellowship for 2025/26. His research explores boarding culture, particularly the situational influences that drive conformity and their impact on adolescent wellbeing, alongside the development of situational awareness training for boarding staff.
Kate Hollyer, Partner and Director, BSA Group Legal Services Ltd
A qualified solicitor with over 14 years’ experience in UK immigration law, Kate advises and supports members on a full range of immigration matters. Before joining BSA in 2022, Kate was Partner and Head of Department at a leading UK law firm, where she built extensive expertise in complex immigration cases. Since 2014, Kate has lived in boarding houses alongside her Housemaster husband, giving her a unique, first-hand perspective on the challenges and opportunities of boarding life.
David Walker FTIOB, Executive Director, Boarding & Education and Director, BSA/TIOB
David has over 20 years’ experience in boarding. His career includes leadership roles in senior and prep school settings across the UK and Africa, complemented by service as a prep school governor and trustee of a multi-academy trust. David was previously Deputy Head Pastoral at a large co-educational independent school, where he oversaw student welfare. His background in safeguarding, boarding leadership, and governance gives him a broad perspective on the sector, enabling him to support schools.
Dale Wilkins FTIOB, Executive Director, BSA Group Scotland/Wales and Accredited/Compliance
Dale joined the BSA in 2017 to lead safeguarding, inspection, and compliance across the UK, building on his experience as a course tutor since 1998. He works closely with ISI, Ofsted, and the DfE, while also overseeing the Group’s work in Scotland and Wales. A trainer and consultant for BSA and SACPA, he is Vice Chair of SAFCAB. Dale previously spent 31 years as a boarding practitioner, including roles as Housemaster and Deputy Head at Old Swinford Hospital. Beyond education, he trains for the Methodist Church, is a charity trustee, chairs a performing arts organisation, and volunteers widely.
Aileen Kane FTIOB, Deputy CEO and COO, BSA Group
Aileen is a seasoned marketing and communications strategist with extensive experience in driving business growth, brand positioning, and stakeholder engagement. At BSA Group, she has led strategic marketing, business development, and organisational transformation with measurable impact. Her background spans marcomms, public affairs, and policy advocacy, where she has shaped legislative discussions and built partnerships with government bodies, including the DfE and the Home Office. With leadership roles across education and the charity sector, Aileen is passionate about equipping organisations with effective, data-driven strategies that deliver sustainable success.
Louis Yates, Housemaster, Lord Wandsworth College
Louis Yates is Housemaster of Sutton House at Lord Wandsworth College, where he leads a vibrant community of boys aged 13–18 and has served as DSL for E-Safety, as well as deputy DSL. With over a decade of experience in boarding school settings, he has also served as Head of Sixth Form and SLT member, led Psychology departments, and began his career as a sports coach—an experience that continues to shape his relational, character-focused approach. A proud family man and member of the Institute of Boarding, Louis has contributed to its blog and plans to add more posts in the future. His leadership ethos, shaped while completing a Master’s in Educational Leadership, is values-driven and coaching-centred, grounded in emotional intelligence, and focuses on guiding young men through consistency, meaningful conversation, and positive role modelling.
Rosie McManus, Nurse Advisor, HIEDA
Trained at Great Ormond Street, Rosie made the move to the independent sector in 2006. With an MA in Medical Ethics and Law and the Specialist Community Pubic Health Nurse qualification her passion remains promoting the Healthy Child Programme, and promoting the visibility of school nurses in the independent sector.
Jessica Riege, Senior Head of House, YK Pao School
Jessica is the Senior Head of House at YK Pao School in Shanghai, China with seven years’ in the position as Head of House. Since 2020, she has led one of the girls’ boarding houses. She is a mentor and advocate, central to student daily life. Her role focuses on wellbeing, pastoral care, and fostering an inclusive community where students thrive. Driven by a passion for teaching and training, she guides both students and staff. Jessica’s experience and genuine dedication are vital to the nurturing boarding experience that YK Pao School is known for.
Emma Millo, Assistant Head (Professional Development and EDI), Haileybury College
After first studying psychology at Durham University Emma then studied for an MSc in physiotherapy at the University of Essex and worked with professional sports teams such as the All Blacks and at London 2012. She then moved into a career teaching psychology. She has worked at Haileybury College in Hertfordshire for the past 13 years, spending 6 as a Housemistress of a senior girls house. Emma is currently Assistant Head with responsibility for Professional Development and EDI.
Belinda Edington, Managing Director, The MindSpark Board
Belinda Edington, Director of MindSpark CIC, leads a social enterprise that partners with schools, charities, and organisations to deliver evidence-informed programmes supporting self-regulation and executive function development across all ages. By exploring the neurobiological and relational foundations of learning and behaviour, she bridges theory and practice through training and coaching that foster success in education, work, and relationships. Under her leadership, MindSpark drives inclusive and impactful interventions that improve life outcomes.
Tanya Lee, Deputy Head (Pastoral), The King’s School Canterbury
Tanya has been associated with the BSA for a while now, initially through participating in and then moving onto tutoring for the Certificate course, then the Diploma course, and now dips her toes in occasionally when her arm is twisted to present on something. She served her apprenticeship in boarding experience through HSM roles at St Mary’s, Wantage and Wycombe Abbey, before becoming Head of Boarding at Headington. She was a boarding inspector for Ofsted and then ISI, and she’s held the role of Deputy Head, Pastoral at The King’s School, Canterbury for a number of years now although she would argue that whilst the title stays the same the role evolves constantly.
Camilla Luard, Head of Boarding, Bilton Grange School
Camilla is Head of Boarding at Bilton Grange, a prep school where boarding sits at the heart of daily life. The school’s commitment to boarding, while responding to the needs of modern families, is reflected in its recent investment in a warm and welcoming new boarding house, complete with en‑suite rooms and a helter‑skelter slide. Camilla’s background includes co‑curricular leadership, Houseparent role, SENDCo work and teaching of Science and core subjects across prep, primary and secondary settings. She is committed to pastoral care, building relationships through open communication and trust to create a nurturing, inclusive environment where pupils feel supported and able to thrive.
Jane Hamblett-Jahn, Director of Boarding, Brighton College
Jane has spent her whole teaching career in boarding, firstly at Stowe where she was a Housemistress of a 6th Form girls’ house (whilst Head of Economics, Politics, Business and Netball) and then the inaugural Housemistress of a new build all the way through (13-18) girls’ house opened by Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II. Jane has been the Director of Boarding (Deputy DSL and teacher of A-level Economics) at Brighton College since 2015 during which time the number of boarders has increased to 500 pupils and is due to rise again shortly as they’re about to build another 2 boarding houses.
Penny Sturt, Talking Heads Lead Associate
Penny is a calm, courageous, challenging, and compassionate professional with over 30 years’ experience as a qualified supervisor. As an Associate of Talking Heads, she brings extensive experience from children’s social care, CAMHS, and education. Penny is deeply passionate about supervision as a means to sustain compassion, support wellbeing, and strengthen professional practice. She believes children learn best when they are safe and happy, and that effective supervision helps leaders flourish, build trust, and nurture school communities where both staff and pupils can thrive.
Helen Rose FTIOB MA NPQSL, Assistant Principal – Welfare & Boarding, The Worthgate School
Helen is a seasoned education leader with over two decades’ experience shaping pastoral and boarding excellence across independent, state and specialist school settings. As Assistant Principal (Welfare & Boarding) at The Worthgate School, she blends strategic insight with practical leadership to champion cultures where students and staff thrive. Helen is the author of the Standards for Pastoral Professionals, a framework designed to elevate care, practice and career pathways across the sector, and a passionate advocate for strengthening professionalism in boarding and pastoral roles as well as empowering pastoral professionals to deliver exceptional care with confidence and clarity. She regularly contributes to sector bodies including The Institute of Boarding and the Boarding Schools Association, driving conversations on career development, standards, and impactful pastoral leadership.
Karl Hearn, Strategy Development Consultant, Noble + Eaton
Karl is a consultant at Noble + Eaton, a subsidiary of the Envoplan Group, working with schools and colleges on strategic planning, estates development and investment decision-making. His work is centred on improving student outcomes through proven strategies that balance educational ambition with long-term financial sustainability.
Karl supports senior leaders and governors in making confident, well-informed decisions that maximise return on investment while enhancing the student experience. He is valued for his thoughtful, practical approach and his ability to help institutions turn strategic priorities into clear, achievable plans.
Andrew Lewer, Senior UK Adviser, Noble + Eaton
Andrew Lewer MBE is Senior UK Advisor for Noble+Eaton. Among his other roles in the independent education sector, he is a columnist and editorial board member of Independent School Management Plus, an independent school governor, a Council member of TISCA (The Independent Schools Christian Alliance), an Educational Consultant for MTM Consulting and an Associate Partner of Anderson Quigley. As an MP, 2017-24, he founded and chaired the All Party Parliamentary Group for Independent Education and served on the Education Select Committee. He has been an MEP, a County Council Leader and a UNESCO World Heritage Site Chairman.
Joanne Ladds, Associate Education Consultant, Noble + Eaton
Joanne is an educational consultant and learning space designer with two decades of experience in the education sector. With a lifetime devoted to learning, Joanne’s work shows an unwavering dedication to creating thriving educational spaces. As a consultant, researcher, and speaker, Joanne is a member of the Noble+Eaton team part of the Envoplan Group. Joanne is passionate about educational change and is dedicated to creating strategically designed and inclusive learning spaces. Her approach is deeply rooted in evidence-led and pupil-centric methodologies that foster growth and encourage all students to thrive.
Tracy-Anne Barker, Director, The Managers Training Company
Tracy-Anne is a UK-based former director and senior leader in commercial, public and charity education organisations. She now trains and coaches leaders and managers across the education sector. With over 30 years’ experience, she has supported thousands of managers, team leaders and supervisors. Her career has been shaped by people who believed in her potential, a belief that underpins her work today. Tracy-Anne champions the view that background need not limit progress if opportunity is seized and effort applied. Having learned lessons early in management, she helps others build foundations, reflected in her book.
David Williams, CEO, IGTM
David is the co-founder of I-GTM, the leading provider of a travel record-keeping and management solution designed specifically for UK boarding schools. His mission is to ensure that schools receive precisely what they need from I-GTM — capturing accurate records of the boarder roll and streamlining travel planning while enhancing safeguarding, efficiency, and compliance. I-GTM’s technology addresses the challenges of student travel, offering a centralised platform that empowers schools to oversee, monitor, and manage travel records with confidence.
Matt Jones, Director, Witley Jones
Matt is the son of Witley Jones Furniture’s founders and has seen the company grow from the dining room table at home some 28 years ago to the company it is today working with over 450 independent school customers around the country and overseas. Having worked in all facets of the business in his younger years Matt studied Marketing at UWE and spent a couple of years in other industries before joining the family business full time in 2012. Matt was made a Director in 2018 as his parents started to move away from the day to day running of the family business.
Dave Manser, Director, Witley Jones
Dave joined Witley Jones in 2008, as a general factory operative. He soon split his time between the factory and installing furniture at a whole host of schools across the UK, gaining valuable experience and forging important relationships along the way. He moved into the drawing office after a few years, which added another important skill to his repertoire and further enhanced his understanding of key technical details, before eventually progressing to a customer facing role in 2017. Dave’s wealth of knowledge and experience within the independent school sector has been a valued asset to Witley Jones and it’s customer base and he was appointed a statutory Director in May 2024.
Lily Bohling, Solicitor, Moore Barlow
Lily is a Solicitor in Moore Barlow’s Schools team, specialising in employment and education law.
Lily advises on a range of education law aspects, as well as both contentious and non-contentious employment law matters. In particular, Lily has recently advised schools on grievance and disciplinary processes, dismissal strategy, safeguarding matters, employment contracts and subject access requests.
Outside of work, she is the Secretary of her local Junior Lawyers Division and a member of the Association of Women Solicitors.
In her free time, she enjoys exploring new places, keeping fit and singing.
Olivia Stanton, Senior Associate, Moore Barlow
Olivia is a Senior Associate in Moore Barlow’s Schools team. She specialises in employment and education law.
Olivia advises on a range of areas, including safeguarding and managing abuse allegations, data protection and subject access requests, parent contracts, and contentious and non-contentious employment law issues. She drafts contracts of employment and various policies and procedures, and she also advises on the Teachers’ Pension Scheme.
Her approach is to provide practical and helpful advice that will help schools to achieve their objectives.
In her free time, she enjoys exploring new places, and has travelled extensively throughout South East Asia, South America and the USA.
Hoong Kwan, CEO and CCO
Hoong Kwan, CEO and co-founder of SEQRD, whose interest in digital safeguarding was piqued as he watched his sons and their interaction with technology. Hoong’s approach to digital safeguarding is shaped by more than 25 years’ experience as a strategist in telecoms, IT and cybersecurity. He has led the company from concept to commercialisation as they launched their platform, SchoolsMobile. In just 3 years from concept, SchoolsMobile now protects thousands of children across schools in the UK.
Neil Buirski, Founder & Director, Marketing & Technology
Neil Buirski is the co-founder of SEQRD, bringing more than 30 years of business experience across media, technology, and digital innovation. An online pioneer and e-commerce expert, he launched the UK’s first online magazine subscription service and has since led the development of scalable digital products at the intersection of content, technology, and user experience.
Alongside his professional background, Neil is also a parent of two teenage girls – he saw first-hand how complex and confusing the digital world can be for children and families. His focused on creating practical solutions that help children build healthy digital habits and enable parents and schools to foster positive technical experiences with confidence and clarity.
Arabella Northey, Head of Partnerships and Communications
Following eighteen years in education across diverse school environments, Arabella has cultivated a deep understanding of pedagogy and the evolving landscape of learning and the digital world. Having completed her NPQH, she worked with schools and senior leaders to embed thinking skills, metacognition and self-regulation strategies within their curriculum.
Her role as Head of Partnerships and Communications at SEQRD has enabled her to combine her expertise in metacognition, technology and safeguarding. This position has given her the opportunity to help schools and parents support their pupils to thrive online and navigate digital spaces safely.
This event will be held jointly with:
