Dame Marlene has 25 years of senior management experience - 15 as Head of Mulberry School for Girls (London Borough of Tower Hamlets). Dame Marlene retired in December 2005 having led Mulberry School to notable success. During her time at the school, Mulberry achieved Beacon, Leading Edge, Training and International School status. The school was part of the Excellence in Cities initiative and gained Investors in People recognition. Prior to leaving Mulberry, Dame Marlene led and managed a successful £20 million PFI project to re-build the school.

Dame Marlene has 34 years of educational experience, 32 as a practicing teacher. In addition she has been a member of numerous LEA consultative, advisory and working groups and DfES task groups. She was actively involved in collaborative educational links across Tower Hamlets, including CPD for staff. Dame Marlene continues to support education as a primary school governor and through the London Challenge, National College for School Leadership and the NPQH programmes.

She received a DBE in the 2000 New Year’s honours for services to education.

Sue Barrow has 27 years experience of working in a Local Education Authority. Her last post until 1997 was as the Deputy Director of Education (Schools) in Tower Hamlets.

She has significant expertise of consulting and negotiating with teacher and support staff trade unions. On the abolition of the Inner London Education Authority, she took responsibility for the development and implementation of all new policies and procedures in the newly established Education Authority in the Borough of Tower Hamlets. In 1990 she also introduced the Borough’s innovative scheme for the recruitment and retention of teachers. She has a thorough knowledge of issues relating to schools and Local Education Authorities.

Sue is a highly organised, self motivated individual who has an enthusiasm and commitment to the project in hand. She is a skilled manager and leader who is able to enthuse and develop her staff. She leads by example and is always willing to provide practical as well as strategic leadership.

Dr. Sarda has substantial experience of working with the private, public and not-for-profit sectors. He has worked for a number of local authorities, primarily within the Chief Executive’s departments and as a Local Management of Schools Officer with the London Borough of Southwark, Education Department.

Dr. Sarda’s legal qualifications and work within local authorities has enabled him to acquire substantial experience of dealing with teaching and non teaching unions, elected members, parent governors (having been one himself) and working with new cabinet structures in local authorities. During his period in local government he led major projects that involved negotiation with schools, local education authorities, parents/teachers association and tradeunions.

His knowledge of the education system and experience of working at a very senior level in the public sector makes him a valuable member of the team.

Dr. Julios is currently Director of Policy and External Affairs of the Ethnic Minority Foundation (EMF), a national charity working to further knowledge and find policy solutions to meet the needs of ethnic minorities and disadvantaged groups in Britain.

Dr. Julios is also a visiting lecturer at Queen Mary University of London’s Centre for the Study of Migration. Her professional background is in social research and education, particularly within the fields of equality and diversity.

Dr. Koestle’s professional background is in education and social research, particularly within the fields of development and health economics.

Ms Fernandes has a professional background in arts, design and textiles and wide ranging experience in the private and not-for-profit sectors.