Artemi is a teacher who worked in special schools for many years before devoting her time and energy to the development of inclusive education. She has been the director of CSIE since March 2007. Before then she worked as a lecturer in Further and Higher education, freelance trainer, early years liaison teacher and Area SENCo, inclusion teacher, Senior Portage Home Visitor and teacher in a number of special schools. In her spare time (such that it is) Artemi likes to sing, play the recorder, read, write, knit, walk, jog and swim.

Sarah has worked part time for CSIE for 17 years and also works for the University of the West of England as an IT Analyst. Previously, she worked for 15 years within the Telecommunications industry as a Database developer and was involved in many projects including setting up the organisation’s website and training customer services staff on new IT services. Sarah studied International Business at Plymouth University, which included a 6-month exchange studying at the School of Economics in Amsterdam. Sarah enjoys swimming and recently has taken up open water swimming. She also enjoys playing softball, badminton, walking and spending time pottering in her garden.

Stuart trained as a teacher and taught in Birmingham schools and then in Higher Education. After a career in the Methodist Church ,and having served in leadership roles, he then Chaired the Countryside Agency and the Commission for Rural Communities. After which he chaired two Housing Associations, namely Hanover and Anchor Hanover; the Directors of the Wesley Hotel in Euston and is presently working in the Charity sector. Stuart is passionate about peace and justice issues.

His hobbies include playing tennis, travelling and music.

Philippa’s professional background is in teaching and school inspection work. Working with the Council for Disabled Children (CDC), in 1992 she founded a consortium to champion entitlement for children with SEN and disabilities. She led the education and equalities work at CDC, led partnership projects, nationally and locally, and developed guidance and materials explaining complex legislation in practical terms. Philippa was seconded to the DfE as SEN and disability professional adviser from 2008-2010 and continues to advise DfE on a wide range of policy areas. She was National Coordinator for England with the European Agency for Special Needs and Inclusive Education 2014-2022. In 2022, she won the nasen Person of the year award and, in 2023, was awarded an OBE for services to disabled children. She retired in 2023 but continues to work on CDC projects as a CDC Associate.

Emeritus Professor Sue Sanders of the Harvey Milk Institute, an “out and proud” lesbian, is CEO of Schools OUT UK. In 2004 she co-founded the UK’s LGBT History Month with Paul Patrick an annual event which happens every February. In 2007 she was responsible for The Classroom which has lesson plans that ‘usualise’ LGBT people in all their diversity for all ages across the curriculum. She co-ran OUTing the Past an annual international festival of LGBT+ history. As an educator and activist, Sue is a proponent of an inclusive and relevant curriculum in education and works to ‘educate out’ all forms of prejudice. She has also worked extensively in the criminal justice system attempting to challenge hate crime in all its forms. She has been the recipient of several awards including the National Educations Union Lifetime achievement award in 2024.

Across the last 15 years, Sarah has had the privilege of working in many different roles within education: from a Midday Assistant and LSA, to a Headteacher of a small, rural primary school. The different jobs have enabled her to see the importance of all roles within education from first-hand experiences. Within this time, Sarah has worked in settings in the north of the country (city centre of Leeds) and the south of the country (Essex) all serving different demographics. Sarah has a passion for supporting Trainee Teachers, new Headteachers and aspiring leaders through bespoke training packages. The aim of this work is to provide support to all staff to secure longevity within the education career. Sarah’s educational beliefs centre around her passion for inclusive education for all and a culture of every learner being supported to succeed – this can only be achieved if every child is heard and seen.