Past Event

Gareth Gaston

Regional Director & Head of Frameworks, The Edwin Group

Gareth brings 14 years of expertise in supporting secondary schools across the North East with both temporary and permanent recruitment. His career includes working as Branch Manager for the Newcastle Secondary Branch, transitioning into a Regional role where he oversees five Vision for Education offices, and most recently, as Head of Frameworks, where he assists Multi-Academy Trusts in procuring staff through a Managed Service Provision. In addition to his role at The Edwin Group, Gareth has been a member of the Management Committee for North East Partnership SCITT since 2018.

Helen Taylor

Procurement Officer, Ebor Academy Trust

Helen is procurement officer for Ebor Multi Academy Trust which has 1 SEND school and 24 primaries across Yorkshire. She's also a project specialist and qualified teacher. She's devoted to effecting positive change in the lives of children and adults with disabilities and neurodiversities. She started her career in the technology industry but was soon drawn to teaching. She worked within education, health-care, local authority and charity sectors as well as founding a support team, focussed on inclusion and developing independence, which grew to 40. Her current procurement role at Ebor allows Helen to combine her love of shopping and research - perfect! It is varied and ever evolving which she loves. Much of her work is collaborative as it is the relationships she builds and by listening to others that she learns what the best solutions will be.

Helen has a particular interest in biophilic design, neuroscience and environmental psychology. She's helping to create school environments that support the well being of children and wider communities. She is always looking for opportunities to make the world a better place whether that is by creating efficiencies, saving money, improving well being or bringing a smile.