The Teacher Development Trust (TDT) is delighted to announce the appointment of five new trustees to sit on its Board. These appointments follow a comprehensive and competitive process designed to add new perspectives, experiences, and to help the charity continue to deliver against its charitable mission in the coming years.
The new trustees are:
Biographies are included at Annex A.
In addition, after more than a decade of supporting the organisation, the Deputy Chair, Anna Pedroza, will be stepping down from the Board.
Chair of the Board, Dame Sue John, said:
“First, I want to say thank you to Anna Pedroza who has been an exemplary trustee from almost the very beginning of TDT. Anna has been a selfless supporter of everything TDT has done, and she should be extremely proud of the impact she has had on the charity and indeed on the wider education community.
I am delighted to be welcoming such talent and commitment to join the Board at TDT. The calibre of these five new trustees is testament to the standing TDT has in the sector, and together with our current trustees, they will help us to continue the vital work of promoting effective professional development in schools.”
CEO Gareth Conyard said:
“It is humbling to know that so many amazing people want to give their time voluntarily to support the work of TDT, and the entire team is thrilled to have the opportunity to work with our new – as well as our existing – trustees. The launch of our CPD Leadership Hub heralds an exciting time for TDT and there is real comfort in having such an experienced and committed group of trustees to support us.
I would also like to say a massive thank you to Anna Pedroza – she has been supportive of me personally and of the work of the charity. TDT simply would not be where it is today without her efforts.”
Endnotes
- Trustees are appointed to a three-year term
- TDT’s current trustees are: Dame Sue John, Andrea Carr, Harjit Athwal, Mathila Pynegar, Michael Shaw, and Arvi Luoma. More information about them can be found here.
Annex A
Chloe Saklow
Chloe brings over 20 years of marketing and brand strategy experience from both the private and public sector. She began her career in advertising before moving to senior positions at media organisations including the BBC and Johnston Press.
During her time at the Department for Education, Chloe led marketing initiatives including the development of Every Lesson Shapes a Life, the national teacher recruitment campaign. She also created the department’s first retention-focused campaign for existing teachers.
For the past three years, Chloe has also served as Head of Profession for Government Marketing.
Now at the Ministry of Defence, Chloe sees the trustee role as a valuable opportunity to continue supporting the education sector. She combines deep sector knowledge with marketing expertise and a commitment to driving positive change.
Outside of work, Chloe juggles her family of three children, two cats and one husband.
Ed Dorrell
Ed is a Partner at Public First. Before taking up this role, he was one of the most experienced and respected education journalists in Britain. He was deputy editor of the Times Educational Supplement (TES) for seven years, a role he combined with being comment editor and before that he was news editor for five years.
Previously he was news editor of the Architects’ Journal, where he was a well known commentator on planning and regeneration. He has also written for most national papers including the Guardian, the Times, the Telegraph and the Independent.
He is known for his sharp policy analysis, his wide ranging network in the media, and his skill at writing and shaping news and opinion from leading politicians, chief executives, high profile individuals, and large and small organisations. He offers high-value counsel and insight on media affairs, public opinion and policy formulation to many of Public First’s major clients.
Sally Spence
Sally Spence is the Deputy Chief Executive Officer and Director of Education at Impact Multi Academy Trust (IMAT), a cross-phase trust serving over 9,800 pupils. Sally leads on curriculum standards and oversees IMAT’s central Governance and HR functions.
With over 25 years of experience in education, Sally has held a range of senior leadership roles, including Headteacher of Ravens Wood Secondary School for eight years. She has led trust-wide strategies to raise standards at all key stages, developed a professional growth framework for staff, and championed inclusive, evidence-informed approaches to curriculum and pedagogy.
Sally is also experienced in SEND leadership, having previously worked as a SENDCO, and continues to bring that expertise to her current role. She regularly completes safeguarding reviews and contributes to strategic safeguarding work as a member of the Bromley Mental Health and Wellbeing Steering Group.
She is a trained Challenge Partners Trust Reviewer and holds a master’s degree in educational leadership, the NPQEL, and is currently completing a PhD in Curriculum, Pedagogy, and Assessment at University College London (UCL).
Outside of her professional life, Sally is a proud mum to three wonderful sons.
‘I am proud to serve as a trustee of the Teacher Development Trust, as I know that high-quality, thoughtful professional development can make a real difference to teachers and, ultimately, to student success’.
Professor Sam Twiselton
Professor Samantha Twiselton, OBE is Emeritus Professor at Sheffield Hallam University and was its founding Director of Sheffield Institute of Education. She is an independent education consultant and advisor for the English and other governments and many other organisations.
With highly regarded expertise in teacher development, Sam has been heavily involved in shaping and advising Government policy on teacher education.
She sits on many government advisory groups, including chairing the DfE Core Content in ITT group, being a member of the DfE ITT Market Review Advisory Group, the ITT ECF advisory group and the ITT Teacher Apprenticeship Trail Blazer group. In June 2018 she was named in the Queen’s Birthday honours as a recipient of an OBE for services to Higher Education.
Sam is a Founding Fellow and former Vice President (external) of the Chartered College of Teaching. She is trustee for several multi academy trusts. Teaching school hubs and educational charities. In June 2018 she was named in the Queen’s Birthday honours as a recipient of an OBE for services to Higher Education.
Victoria Merrick
I’ve seen first-hand the transformative power of effective, evidence-informed professional development on student outcomes, especially for our most disadvantaged pupils. After 20 years working within the education sector, a passion for high-quality CPD remains central to my consultancy work, where I gain unique insights into the sector’s challenges.
I’m incredibly proud to be on the Teacher Development Trust Board, a charity whose mission deeply resonates with my belief that robust professional development is essential for a resilient education system and builds a culture where professionals can thrive. When not working within and for the education sector, I am usually found outside somewhere, exploring new places with my three spaniels.
