Rita Bateson

FRSA Director of Education & Co-Founder, Eblana Learning

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Rita Bateson is a respected educator, author and mentor with over 20 years of experience in international education. She currently serves as the Director of Education and co-founder of Eblana Learning, where she guides schools in navigating AI adoption and technological change.

Her career spans roles as a Senior Curriculum and Assessment Manager at the IB Global Headquarters in The Hague and was the founding Head of Secondary for Nord Anglia International School in Ireland. Her passion for IB curriculum and mathematics education is reflected in her authorship of several textbooks, widely used in international schools worldwide.

Rita’s influence extends beyond curriculum development. She is a seasoned workshop leader, school authorisation team leader, and consultant, regularly commissioned by leading educational organisations to shape and enhance educational programmes. Her unique experience as a curriculum developer, textbook author and IB programme advisor makes her a sought-after expert in international education. More recently, she has focused on the role of AI in education, helping schools harness its potential ethically, with confidence and clarity.

Dan Fitzpatrick

The AI Educator, Forbes Contributor, Executive Coach, Multiple #1 Bestselling Author

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Hi–I’m Dan.

I am known as The AI Educator.

I wrote the bestselling book "The AI Classroom: The Ultimate Guide to Artificial Intelligence in Education." I've helped countless educators and parents worldwide navigate AI and education. I work with schools, universities, and businesses to innovate for the future of emergent technology.

As an international keynote speaker, I travel between the UK, USA, and Far East. I share my expertise on the transformative power of AI in education. My purpose is simple: help keep educational systems relevant, so that all learners are prepared for success in a rapidly changing world.

I empower educators and learners to embrace AI's potential.

I also write weekly for Forbes on educational transformation for educators, parents and entrepreneurs.

Together, we create a more innovative and inclusive educational landscape.

Dr. Rebecca Conway

Director of Research and Innovation NCFE

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Dr Rebecca Conway is Director of Research and Innovation at NCFE, one of the largest technical and vocational awarding organisations in the UK and an educational charity.

Rebecca moved into the awarding sector in 2012 after starting her career in Higher Education as a PhD researcher and tutor. She has held technical assessment roles with several organisations, including Cambridge University Press & Assessment where she worked in an innovative and fast-paced international education development team.

She moved from there to the Federation of Awarding Bodies where she led on policy and strategy during the Covid pandemic. Rebecca joined NCFE in August 2024 and has overall responsibility for the organisation’s research, insight, innovation and social investment work.

Rebecca has a longstanding interest in practitioner research and professional development in assessment and awarding. She has trained hundreds of assessment and education professionals on CPD and postgraduate courses for Cambridge Assessment Network, international schools, universities and awarding organisations. She currently supports professional learners with practitioner research projects through her role as a part-time Academic Supervisor on the University of Cambridge’s postgraduate assessment programme.

She is a member of AEA-Europe and a Trustee of Laser Learning Awards. 

Lucy Gonzalez

Strategic Programme Director for AI/ML at CUPA

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Lucy Gonzalez is the Strategic Programme Director for AI/ML at CUP&A. She has 15 years of experience in scientific research and engineering management in diverse sectors, from Big Tech to Academia. She holds degrees in philosophy and social science, and qualifications in project and programme management, and leadership coaching.

Daniel Green

Policy Director at the Federation of Awarding Bodies

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Andrew Lapham

MSc Chief Digital Officer, Searchlight Consulting

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With a track record of delivering and commercialising cutting-edge digital product innovation to the global mobile digital marketplace, Andrew has led digital product innovation in UK listed PLC's and has built internal capability, platforms and organisation structures to enable future strategy, so understands how to deliver digital innovation effectively.

He has a strong strategic knowledge of the global digital marketplace backed up with solid international consulting experience having lived and worked in Europe. 

Dr. Grainne Watson

COO at RM plc

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Dr Gráinne Watson is a seasoned technology and transformation professional. An expert in implementing new technology across industries, she has worked in academia, start-ups, and corporates in the US and EMEA. From commercialising start-ups to building new accreditation platforms, her approach seeks to simplify existing systems to enable rapid transformational outcomes.

She is the Chief Operating Officer for RM, developing and delivering next gen solutions that enable customers to embrace digital learning, assessment and marking. 

Mark House

Product Manager RM Compare

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Success in education is driven by a passion to make a difference. It is characterised by an unrelenting desire to realise potential in others, to develop confidence and competence, and to improve the life chances of all learners. It is a noble pursuit and I have been privileged to dedicate my career to it.

My current role has allowed me to manage a number of products at different stages of their lifecycle. At all times I am motivated to provide outstanding value to end users, specifically helping teachers to teach and learners to learn.

Experiences gained from over 20 years at the chalk face are a constant reminder to me of the daily challenges faced by education workers and the students they serve. I am driven to provide products that improve the end users experience and allow them to work more productively.

I have a record of delivering growth and profitability with some of the largest B to B Education Technology products in the UK. Customers have included schools, local authorities and national governments. I have also developed innovative products from inception to launch.

I have proven that a career in education can be varied and exciting. Years on the games field with rain running down my neck have been replaced with a life in software. A common theme throughout has been a consistent desire to learn and improve, taking on new challenges and reaching for new goals.

Away from work, after more than 10 years on the sidelines I have recently returned to competitive sport by dusting off my old tennis racquet and joining a local league. Games start in late summer so I am practicing as hard as I can to get some sort of fitness back up.

There has never been a more exciting time to be involved in Education Technology. I cannot wait to see what the future will bring,

Nick Hope

Innovation Manager RM Echo

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I've spent most of my career working in the EdTech space, most recently working in an innovation team focusing on discovery and definition of potential product opportunities and early concept development.

My background is software engineering, and product innovation. In 2024 I finished studying part-time for an MSc in Entrepreneurship Management and Innovation at the University of Bath.

I'm professional but down to earth. I value teamwork and an environment which enables and supports everyone to achieve their best. I believe that meeting the needs of users, and the business' objectives, begins with empowered teams and a clear purpose.

Julia Martin

CEO at Independent Schools Examinations board (ISEB)

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Julia Martin is an accomplished leader in the education sector, currently serving as Chief Executive Officer at the Independent Schools Examinations Board since January 2021, where strategic initiatives and partnerships have modernized the organization. With a solid background as an Executive Board Member at the Notting Hill Academy of Music and Committee Chair for the South Hampshire College Group, Julia has a proven track record in enhancing access to education and driving commercial strategies for diverse audiences.

Previous roles include Head of Product at Trinity College London, where product portfolio growth was significant, and Head of Communications at Brunel University London, leading impactful digital initiatives. Julia's extensive educational background includes a Doctor of Education, a Master's in Music, and various other degrees, underpinned by early career experiences in PR and marketing for high-profile artists. 

Ayush Agarwal

Director of Strategic Partnerships at Talview

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Focused on building and strengthening high-impact partnerships, driving business growth, and creating collaborative opportunities that deliver value. Looking forward to working with incredible partners, expanding our ecosystem, and making a meaningful impact.

Talview is the pioneer of the world’s first Agentic AI for proctoring and interviewing, and has recently been awarded its first U.S. patent for innovation in AI-powered monitoring. We help organizations uphold integrity, efficiency, and fairness in large-scale interviews and exams. Our AI agents Alvy for proctoring and Ivy for interviewing  monitor, reason, and act in real time to prevent fraud, detect impersonation, and enhance candidate experiences with clear guidance, empathetic interaction, and unbiased evaluations. Powered by patented LLM-driven reasoning, advanced facial and voice recognition, and robust privacy safeguards, Talview delivers secure, non-intrusive remote assessment at a global scale.

Our value lies in enabling reliable results you can trust, reducing administrative burden, and providing actionable insights that improve hiring and certification decisions. Trusted by certification bodies, universities, governments, and Fortune 500 enterprises in over 120 countries, Talview has assessed more than 10 million candidates worldwide, setting new standards for fair, transparent, and future-ready talent evaluation.

James Gosling

Solution Consultant at RM Assessment

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I am a highly adaptable and technology-focused professional with over two decades of experience in the intricate world of sales, specialising in technical pre-sales, customer needs assessment, data analytics, and innovative solution design.

My expertise extends to the entire sales process, encompassing customer acquisition, management, marketing, and vendor relations.

Throughout my career, I have consistently demonstrated the ability to acquire new skills and adapt to evolving business needs, often playing a pivotal role in teams developing innovative products and services.

With a strong track record in delivering results and driving growth, I am dedicated to delivering the highest standards of excellence in every aspect of my work.

Hayden Wood

Head of Qualifications and Delivery at ISEB

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Matthew Glanville

Director of Assessment at The International Baccalaureate

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Matthew Glanville is an accomplished professional in the field of education and assessment, currently serving as Director for Assessment and Head of Assessment Principles and Practice at the International Baccalaureate since May 2014. Previous positions include Head of Assessment Research and Evidence at Ofqual from July 2011 to April 2014, and Head of Statistics at the Qualifications & Curriculum Development Agency from 2008 to July 2011. Matthew's career began as a Research Analyst at the West Midlands Regional Observatory and later included a role as Head of Research and Policy at GoSkills, along with experience as a Teacher of Mathematics at Matthew Holland School. Educational credentials include a Ph.D. in Mathematics and a PGCE from the University of Nottingham, a Master’s Degree in Applied Geophysics from the University of Birmingham, and an undergraduate degree from the University of Oxford.