Hayley Dunn Business Leadership Specialist, Association of School and College Leavers

Emma is our Head of HR Services and manages the team responsible for providing HR consultancy services to a range of clients. Emma has over 15 years’ experience in generalist HR in both the private sector and the public sector. Emma has worked as HR Director and regional HR Business Partner for two large, national multi-academy trusts (MAT) and understands the challenges that schools, academies and MATs are facing today. Emma has led on many change transformation projects, including a national restructure that involved HR/finance/estates across the whole MAT. Emma has also worked with trade unions at a national level covering everything from policy negotiation to terms and conditions.  Emma is a Board Trustee at a MAT in Worcestershire. 

Nick MacKenzie Education Partner, Browne Jacobson

Nick is an education lawyer and partner at Browne Jacobson LLP, one of the country’s pre-eminent education law practices. He is also a member of the firm’s Board. He has significant experience of advising boards in the education sector across a wide range of issues. Nick is independently ranked as a leading lawyer for education nationally and is a regular speaker at education conferences. He has also written extensively for sector publications on governance, structures, collaboration and the broader sector landscape.  

Emma Hughes Head of HR, Browne Jacobson

Emma is our Head of HR Services and manages the team responsible for providing HR consultancy services to a range of clients. Emma has over 15 years’ experience in generalist HR in both the private sector and the public sector. Emma has worked as HR Director and regional HR Business Partner for two large, national multi-academy trusts (MAT) and understands the challenges that schools, academies and MATs are facing today. Emma has led on many change transformation projects, including a national restructure that involved HR/finance/estates across the whole MAT. Emma has also worked with trade unions at a national level covering everything from policy negotiation to terms and conditions.  Emma is a Board Trustee at a MAT in Worcestershire.

James Taylor Education Senior Manager, Cooper Parry

James is a Senior Manager in the not for profit team, where he works exclusively in the academy sector, ensuring that each client gets a bespoke service and has access to a depth of knowledge and experience in the sector. James began his career in bookkeeping before rising through the ranks and specialising in the audit and assurance field and academy sector. This provides him with a ability to “jargon bust” and provide concise and timely information to each client as it is needed. He has published articles with the Association of School and College Leaders (ASCL) and has spoke  at various events.

Julia Harnden Funding Specialist, Association of School and College Leavers

Julia is the ASCL Funding Specialist and works with schools, supporting them in developing sustainable strategic financial plans using an integrated curriculum and financial planning approach. Julia represents ASCL on a number of Department for Education (DfE) strategy groups, working alongside colleagues from DfE and the Education and Skills Funding Agency (ESFA) as well as representatives from the sector.  

Developing a working knowledge of education funding since 2001, she has worked with primary and secondary schools. As a member of the school leadership team she has been responsible for strategic financial planning and monitoring, PFI contract management, academy conversion and leading capital projects.   

Julia worked for HSBC’s corporate banking division before moving to the education sector.