SNE Event

Amy Conroy

Amy Conroy, Four-time Paralympian & Great Britain Wheelchair Basketball Player

Amy is best known for co-captaining the U25 squad to World Championship gold in 2015, where she was also named Most Valuable Player. Her journey from childhood cancer survivor to world-class athlete gives her a rare authority on high performance, inclusion and mental strength.

Amy was diagnosed with osteosarcoma at a young age, a form of bone cancer that ultimately led to the amputation of her left leg after chemotherapy proved unsuccessful. During her recovery, she attended a local wheelchair basketball taster session and immediately connected with the speed, aggression and tactical challenge of the sport. Talent and determination combined quickly. As a teenager, she made her senior international debut at the 2010 BT Paralympic World Cup and later that year competed at the World Championships in Birmingham, helping the team achieve their best-ever finish at the time. Alongside her sporting development, Amy studied Social Psychology at Loughborough University, an academic grounding that continues to inform her thoughtful approach to mindset, motivation and team culture.

Shenara Pennycooke

Head of the School Business Capability Policy Unit, Department for Education

Shenara Pennycooke is Head of the School Business Capability Policy Unit (which includes School Business Professional Policy), in Regions Group at the Department for Education. She has worked in the Department for Education for nearly 20 years in a range of roles including Head of the University Technical Colleges Team and Head of the North East Region in the Schools Financial Support and Oversight Directorate. Shenara previously worked in a number of private offices both in the Department and for His Majesty’s Chief Inspector for Ofsted.

Catherine Bulman

Schools Business Manager, Kingsmeadow Community School

Catherine is an experienced School Business Manager currently serving  Kingsmeadow Community Secondary School and Dunston Hill Community Primary School. With a career in education spanning nearly two decades, and over a decade in senior business leadership, Catherine brings depth, credibility and vision to the evolving role of the School Business Manager.

Since entering education in 2007 and progressing into school business leadership in 2012, Catherine has championed the belief that strong operational leadership is fundamental to educational excellence. Her work spans financial strategy, operational leadership, compliance, estates management and governance — always with a clear focus on improving outcomes for pupils and strengthening organisational resilience.

Highly qualified in the field, Catherine holds CSBM and DSBM status, a First-Class Honours degree in School Business Management, and a Level 7 CIPFA qualification in Finance and Operational Leadership. She is currently completing the IOSH Level 6 qualification, further strengthening her expertise in health, safety and risk management.

Passionate about elevating the profile of school business leadership, Catherine advocates for School Business Managers as strategic partners at the heart of school improvement. Her approach combines disciplined systems with calm, values-driven leadership, ensuring that schools are not only inspection-ready, but future-ready.

Jo Jackowiak 

HR Consultant, Clennell Education Solutions

Jo has over 15 years experience working in senior HR roles in the education sector.  She is the lead consultant for safer recruitment with Clennell Education Solutions, developing and delivering training and providing advice and guidance to schools and colleges in relation to statutory compliance and best practice. Jo is also an accredited trainer through the Safer Recruitment Consortium.  

Sam McBride

Trust Systems Manager, Matrix Academy Trust

Sam McBride is Trust Systems Manager with extensive experience across health and safety, compliance, security, and site management. His background spans both education and theatre environments, bringing a strong understanding of operational safety, risk management, and the delivery of safe, compliant spaces.

Alex Gunn

Senior Training and Learning Officer

Alex Gunn has over 20 years of experience working across the NHS and social care sectors. She is a qualified Occupational Therapist and holds a Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE), alongside a Medication Management Train the Trainer qualification.

Alex leads the medication training portfolio within North Yorkshire Council and has been delivering training as part of the Health and Safety portfolio for the past two and a half years. She is committed to supporting staff to develop the knowledge and skills required to deliver safe and effective care.

Barbara Spooner MBE

CEO, Digital Safety CIC

Barbara has over 35 years of leadership experience in national and international policing, specializing in covert operations, info-Sec, communications data investigations and developing cyber skills policy for UK policing. She also served as a national executive lead for women in policing and chaired multiple international governance groups. In 2014, Barbara was honoured with an MBE for her outstanding contributions to leadership in law enforcement and covert intelligence operations.  She chaired a global covert task force across 22 countries (including the Five Eyes) for five years relating to development of covert policing tactics and commanded the National Crime Agency’s Communications Data Unit, playing a key national policy role in implementing new Investigatory Powers Act legislation. Since 2022 Barbara has held the role of Secretary General on the Board of Trustees for the World Police Summit – supporting the development of global security strategies focusing on global infrastructure, digital security and future technology in security. Barbara is now the founder and CEO of Digital Safety CIC which support people, organisations and communities to increase their digital capability skills to become smarter and safer through education, sponsorship and thought leadership.

Alan Goodwin

Data Protection Officer, Digital Safety CIC

Alan has over 40years experience in law enforcement engaged in covert Serious Organised Crime operations across the globe managing complex dual-jurisdiction cases, large datasets, and extradition matters. He co-authored the Serious Organised Crime Investigation and Disruption Manual widely used across UK law enforcement.  For over 10 years he has been the UK’s Interpol Data Protection Officer leading on compliance, audit, and training for the UK’s use of the Interpol portal, overseeing access for 43 police forces and other UK entities. He has widespread experience of engagement with the Information Commissioner’s office managing the deletion of large sets of Interpol data following the UK’s withdrawal from the EU as well as Data Breach management and complex data Subject Access Requests. Alan is highly regarded on the global stage delivering best practice workshops to International Data Protection Officers at Interpol’s HQ in Lyon and Fusion centre in Singapore where he subsequently founded and chaired a Five Eyes data management group with the USA, Australia, New Zealand, and Canada, focused on collaborative best practices.

Josh Tulip

Cyber Security Technician, Digital Safety CIC

Josh is a CompTIA Security+ certified Cybersecurity Technician with a strong focus on implementing essential security controls and supporting day-to-day cybersecurity operations. He is experienced in securing endpoints, managing user accounts and permissions, and applying device hardening techniques to reduce vulnerabilities. Skilled in identifying common threats, supporting incident response efforts, and helping ensure systems are securely configured and maintained. Josh also has experience in training coordination and delivery, as well as in logistics and operational planning. He uses his technical expertise to improve efficiency, streamline processes, and increase overall output. Josh is experienced in applying automation and AI tools to design, manage, and orchestrate tasks effectively.

Dave Orford

Associate, Digital Safety CIC

Dave is a security consultant, leveraging his expertise in future policing and security to provide bespoke and tailored solutions for various organizations. With over 32 years of experience in law enforcement, security operations, and emergency management, spanning national, regional, and local levels, he brings a wealth of knowledge to his work. Holding a BSc in Physics and an MSc in Leadership, he is well-equipped to address complex security challenges.  Previously, he held the position of policing and security capabilities designer at NEOM, Saudi Arabia, where he was tasked with designing the police force of the future for the city of the future. He was responsible for producing the NEOM future policing strategy, operational plan, and strategic threat and risk assessment. Additionally, he provided guidance on all aspects of delivering technologically advanced and environmentally sustainable security and policing solutions. Prior to this role, he served as the Deputy Chief Constable for Durham Constabulary in the United Kingdom, leading the force through years of outstanding performance and innovation.  Passionate about creating and implementing effective security solutions that address the multi-dimensional threat picture facing the 21st century, while also achieving commercial viability and defined business outcomes, he continues to make significant contributions to the field of security consultancy.

David Parsons

Regional Director, CER

David is a Director with CER Education Recruitment, he’s been with the business 14 years, initially starting as a Secondary Consultant and working his way up to operationally managing the Northeast and North Yorkshire.  He’s a massive advocate of Managed Service Provision within the temporary education staffing sector and was proud to win, implement and run the countries first GCA (previously CCS) LOT 2 framework agreements (2020).

CER as part of Affinity Workforce Solutions is the regional and national leader of MSP’s heading into the GCA’s third iteration of the now DFE mandated framework.

Outside of his drive for transparency and value for money within education recruitment, he’s equally devoted to his two staffy’s.

Chris Mills

Communications & Engagement Lead in the School Resource Management Team, Education Skills Funding Agency

Chris joined the Schools Resource Management team in 2021, helping to co-draft in partnership with the sector the published School Resource Management Strategy: Building a Stronger System in 2022.

Prior to this Chris worked in the Apprenticeship team at the Department for Education, leading on the policy for the Traineeship programme which supported young people and adults into employment or further education.

Catherine Lenahan

North East Hub Manager, Department for Education's Climate Ambassadors Programme

Catherine Lenahan is the North East Hub Manager for the Department for Education’s Climate Ambassadors Programme. She is based at Newcastle University and leading work to embed climate action across the region's schools. An experienced teacher and education consultant, Catherine has over 20 years’ experience in early years, primary education and school improvement, with strong interests in place-based approaches, reading development and integrating climate education across the curriculum. Catherine is a published children’s author and editor of decodable reading books and is the author of two eco-themed comic series for SEND and early years pupils.

Meryl Batchelder

Ambassador, Department for Education's Climate Ambassadors Programme

Meryl Batchelder is a communicator for climate, nature and sustainability education. She holds a doctorate in environmental geochemistry, a postdoctoral fellowship at the Natural History Museum and was a science lead in schools for over a decade. She is Education Lead for TerraLigo, Regional Coordinator for the Ministry of Eco Education and NE Lead for the Young Green Briton Challenge. Meryl is also an enthusiastic Climate Ambassador with STEM Learning. She works with schools and students to embed sustainability across the curriculum and inspire climate action through constructive optimism.

Dan Baker

Category Lead - Schools Commercial Team, Department for Education

Dan is a category lead in the Schools Commercial Team at the Department for Education, developing procurement/commercial strategies to help schools achieve value for money.
Before joining the DfE, Dan worked in the private sector across a range of industries where he led Global and European procurement teams as well as operating as a category manager for large multi-national companies with responsibility for a range of spend areas.

Adam Ward

Renewals Manager, Education Mutual

Adam Ward is the Renewals Manager at Education Mutual, where he leads the renewals function and supports a dedicated team of Renewals Advocates in working closely with schools and trusts as they review and renew their memberships. He oversees member engagement strategies and helps drive a smooth experience, understanding each members evolving needs, and ensuring they feel confident in their ongoing staff absence protection.

Adam has been with Education Mutual for five years, originally starting in the New Memberships team as a Membership Advocate. His experience across both new and renewing member journeys gives him a well-rounded understanding of the organisation and the sector.

Lewis Newbury

Membership Advocate, Education Mutual

Lewis Newbury is a Membership Advocate at Education Mutual, working as part of the New Memberships team to support prospective schools and trusts with their staff absence protection needs. Lewis works closely with regions including Lancashire and South Yorkshire, where he acts as a trusted representative for staff absence protection. Through building strong relationships with schools and trusts, he provides consistent, dedicated guidance tailored to each setting’s requirements.

In addition, Lewis is the Education Mutual representative for the Schools North East partnership, strengthening collaboration across the region and supporting more organisations to access the protection they need.

Fiona Greenwold & Jane Pollinger

Regional Officers (North East), National Education Nature Park

Fiona and Jane are Regional Officers (North East) for the National Education Nature Park. This is a free education programme in England, empowering the next generation to understand, care for, and improve the natural world through making their school, nursery or college site a better place for both people and wildlife. Children and young people lead the way in transforming their learning sites, creating new habitats and turning the ‘grey’ parts of their sites into green, nature-rich spaces to benefit both people and wildlife. As they explore, map out and improve their learning sites, young people join a nationwide effort, collecting valuable data that supports real-world science and helps nature recover across the country, displayed on an online map.

Gavin Monument

Head of Financial Insights, Department for Education

Gavin is a qualified accountant with almost 30-years experience supporting school finances, including roles in DfE, local government and the private sector.  He has ran education finance services in local government and managed academy conversion projects in the private sector. He has worked on a number of key projects in DfE, including the early stages of the national fair funding formula for schools, digitising the academy accounts return, designing and launching the academy chart of accounts and project managing the inception and delivery of VMFI, before taking over benchmarking policy and creating FBIT.

Chris Zarraga

Director, Schools North East

Chris is the Director of School North East.  He has been part of the Schools North East team since its operational inception in 2008 and in 2019 he was appointed Director.  Chris works with senior leaders across the North East and nationally in the education and charity sectors, to represent the voice of North East schools.  A central part of his work is to lobby politicians,  policy makers, and the media to put a strong ‘regional accent’ on the education debate, so that North East schools are not left behind when it comes to education policy.

Under Chris, Schools North East launched the ‘Manifesto for North East Education’.  The manifesto sets out the perennial challenges that impact educational opportunities in the North East and the principles needed to inform any educational policy wanting to address them.

Chris works with hundreds of schools across the North East and various organisations including Ofsted, the DfE, the North East’s universities, Local Authorities and various regional/ national businesses. Prior to joining Schools North East, he led a £1.4 million culture change project in education across the North East for the Treasury and DfE and was responsible for setting up a multi-million pound Enterprise Education Network. 

Chris sits on various advisory boards including the NHS Integrated Care Boards, various Combined Authority advisory boards, and was a member of the DfE’s Opportunity North East strategic board. He has also sat on various boards for North East Universities. As well as being a Director of two North East multi academy trusts, Chris has been Chair of a 3 school Trust, Vice Chair of a large maintained secondary school and Vice Chair of a primary foundation school. 

In a variety of roles from Regional Manager to Chief Executive to Board member, Chris has led large scale change management projects in education and has over 20 years’ experience of strategic management, consultancy, and client development experience at a ‘Big Four’ firm and various financial institutions.

Chris holds an MBA with distinction from Durham University Business School.