Sally Lawson-Ritchie BSc (Hons) PRINCE 2

Education Associate

Sally has been involved in the UK education, academies and free schools programme for over ten years and specialises in education consultancy. A former DfE Adviser and Multi-Academy Trust Director, she has been highly successful in developing innovative practices and partnerships for schools to improve all round educational experiences for students.  She has embedded effective specialisms and programmes across schools. 

Sally is a dynamic and results focused education project manager experienced in the delivery of complex projects to quality, timescale and budget parameters. She has held previous roles as a Private Secretary in Government and External Affairs Manager for a major public affairs company. Throughout her career Sally has represented high profile individuals and organisations and has gained respect for her openness, tenacity and highly regarded capabilities. She has the unusual experience of having worked at a strategic level in both the public and private sector and therefore commands a knowledge and understanding of both sectors.  This is especially relevant to emerging changes in the education sector.

Sally is Vice-Chair of Directors at STEP Academy Trust which successfully runs challenging schools in Croydon, Southwark and East Sussex.  She has recently supported Phoenix Education Trust to develop a business model for a democratic schools programme in schools. She has also worked with the National PTA to build the first parent and family association in a multi cultural promary school in Tower Hamlets. Sally is an adviser to Eden Schools, a new academy sponsor in the North West, developing their Multi Academy Trust and specialism in health and NHS related careers. She enjoys promoting the organisations she works with and is committed to their development and success.