Our Experts

Please see some profiles of our experts below

Kevin James

Kevin James Kevin is the Director of the North Leadership Centre. Prior to joining the Centre in 2005 he was a primary headteacher for 16 years. He has been involved in the training of headteachers on the National Professional Qualification for Headship programme since 2002. He regularly works in local schools helping to develop their senior leadership teams. As well as facilitating leadership and management development in education, business and local authorities, he also lectures on the Masters in Education (M.Ed.) programme at Newcastle University teaching students from across the globe. He offers training experience from education and business environments across the world and academic expertise on leadership theory.

Edward Lott

Ed LottEd is the Managing Director of 'Head4Success' Limited. He is a freelance consultant leader working on the full range of business, enterprise and educational development programmes at the local, regional and national level. He was a secondary headteacher. His experience of delivering leadership development activities includes programme development and delivery tutor to Saudi Aramco employees and trainees; development tutor to The Logic Group; facilitator on the CSBM/DSBM Certificate in School Business Management (NCSL); development Tutor to Cintra Group; National Remodelling Team (NRT) Lead Tutor; business development consultant to Mere Mortals; TDA Regional Programme Co-ordinator 2007/8; National Succession Consultant - all schools, local authorities; facilitator on Investing in Excellence courses, Pacific Institute, international programme /qualification in business effectiveness; Consultant Leader (National College) since 2002 facilitating educational leadership development at all levels; Coaching and Mentoring trainer (London Leadership Centre).

Alan Sergison

alan sergisonAlan was an Education Inspector for the Gateshead local authority (south of Newcastle) from 2000 to 2010. He has broad experience as an educational consultant, trainer, School Improvement Partner (SIP) and Ofsted Inspector. He brings to this work the rich experience of being headteacher of a large inner city primary school for 15 years, where his leadership and management was highly praised by OFSTED in two very successful inspections. In addition, he has worked as an Advisory Headteacher, a Performance Management Consultant, an External Adviser, NSCL Consultant, and an Investment in Excellence Facilitator. He was an NPQH Tutor from 1998 to 2008, working on all aspects of the programme. He is now an accredited School Improvement Partner for both primary and special schools. He was also seconded by his Local Authority to lead a school experiencing serious leadership and management difficulties.

Unice Yvonne O'Reilly (aka Mitch)

mitchMitch is an accredited Coach and Facilitator for National College for School Leadership programmes. She coaches Trainee Head teachers following the National Professional Qualification having worked as tutor, facilitator and assessor on NPQH since 2003. She facilitates on 'Leading from the Middle', a professional development programme for middle leaders in schools and has facilitated on both Building Schools for the Future and Primary Capital Programmes. She has also trained as a Consultant Leader with NCSL. For 10 years she was a secondary school head teacher whose leadership was highly praised by Ofsted in the two inspections undertaken at her school. For 3 years she had a key role, as part of a county wide team, in preparing schools, FE colleges and Work Based Learning providers for the implementation of the 14-19 entitlement curriculum. In 2003 she was appointed for 4 years as a Council Member to her local Learning Skills Council.

Tony Kemp

TonyTony is a freelance consultant and the Director of 'Tony Kemp Education Consultancy Services Ltd'. He has been involved in training since 2002 and has a wealth of experience gained as a headteacher of three primary schools over sixteen years where his leadership and management were highly praised in two successful inspections. Tony has worked on leadership programmes as a Consultant Leader with the National College for School Leadership. He is a School Improvement Partner in Redcar and Cleveland Local Authority and an inspector of schools in England and Dubai. He is also an initial teacher trainer, an external moderator for Durham University and a tutor and facilitator for Teesside Business School.

Julia Craddock

JuliaJulia is an independent consultant working in many areas of children's workforce development. From teaching, she worked for a local authority from 2001 to 2010. Her roles included School Workforce Adviser and School Improvement Officer for Extended Services and Workforce Reform, manager of the LA's behaviour and improvement programme and drugs adviser. She has delivered a vast range of training programmes to staff from Early Years Centres through to post 16 providers. Support for leadership and management includes, CPD strategic leadership, performance management of all school based staff, coaching and mentoring and developing emotionally intelligent workplaces. She has worked for TDA, Carnegie Leaders in Learning Partnership and is a Neuro Linguistic Practitioner.

Chris Young

Chris YoungChris is the headteacher of Valley Road Community Primary School in Sunderland (her 4th headship). Between 1988 and 1991 she had a break from education to run her own business - a hotel/restaurant/pub on the Welsh borders. She was appointed to her current post in Sept 2001 with a remit from the Governors to "create our vision" - a one stop shop school. This has been a stimulating challenge using all her business and educational expertise.