AoC Learning Week 2026

Andrew Tyley provides consultancy and advisory services to the FE sector.  From 2015 to 2024 he worked for the FE Commissioner, latterly as Deputy FE Commissioner.  As part of his work for the FEC, Andrew was involved in a wide range of interventions, structure and prospect appraisals, post-merger reviews and active support – including the effective practice guides on estates planning, adult skills fund and management accounts.
Andrew is a qualified accountant and worked on a range of high-profile college recovery plans prior to taking up the Deputy FEC role.  As a former finance director and college principal, Andrew has a sound understanding of the FE sector and a particular specialism as an expert adviser on college finances.
Previous roles include finance director at Harper Adams University; CFO and company secretary for the Adult Learning Inspectorate; and management consultant for Price Waterhouse.
Andrew has an MBA in public services.

Bally is an expert from the apprenticeship and skills sector, with an extensive background in employer engagement, marketing and selling training programmes, as well as Department for Education (DfE ) programme and subcontractor management. Her experience spans Chambers of Commerce, Local Enterprise Partnerships and FE Colleges and also senior leadership positions within an Independent Training Provider (ITP) with 5000+ apprentices. 

As MD of LX Group Ltd, Bally provides audit, consultancy and training solutions for a wide range of apprenticeship clients, including large employer providers, universities, FE colleges and ITPs.  She has also provided significant support on the DfE’s Apprenticeship Workforce Development (AWD) programme around leadership and governance. 

Bally frequently presents apprenticeship-focussed webinars on topics such as employer engagement, leadership and governance, quality assurance, compliance and sales and marketing. She is also currently a member of the governance board of two employer provider organisations within the Engineering and Emergency Response sectors.

Dr Barbara Van der Eecken is a leadership and training consultant with over 30 years’ experience in the Further Education and Skills sector. Founder and director of BVDE Quality Solutions, she has held senior roles in Colleges and Independent Training Providers, leading quality assurance, performance improvement and cultural transformation. Barbara serves as a Governor at Walsall College, sits on several national ITP boards. She co-leads the AoC Senior Leadership Development Programme and advised on the Apprenticeship Workforce Development Programme.  She designs and delivers impactful CPD on inclusion, curriculum and learner experience, championing the principle that professionalism is a culture we co create. Her work supports leaders and practitioners to strengthen teaching, learning and apprenticeship practice.

Claire Callow is a former secondary Head of English with over 30 years’ experience as a teacher, manager, trainer, consultant and curriculum developer. She has spent 20 years working across the FE and skills sector, leading national projects and commissioned consultancy work. Her roles have included ETF Regional Specialist Lead for English and maths, assessment author and reviewer for national organisations, researcher and data analyst for DfE-funded projects, and lead English developer for CPD programmes. Claire specialises in improving learner attainment through metacognition, resilience and behaviour management, and delivers training in GCSE English, mentoring and coaching, conflict resolution, and embedding English, maths and digital skills.

Hannah is a dynamic leadership development consultant, coach and trainer. She is the Co-Founder of #WomenEd and #DiverseEd. She is the Co-Editor of Diverse Educators: A Manifesto. She is an experienced outward-facing systems leader who is passionate about disseminating best practice and believes that partnerships and collaboration are key. 

Hannah previously taught English, Drama and Media Studies over a 20-year career in schools. She has held multiple leadership roles including curriculum, pastoral, safeguarding and staff development roles at a school and trust level. She left her trust-wide leadership role in 2019 to go independent and she now works internationally supporting schools, colleges, trusts, universities and unions on a range of strategic leadership themes. She is passionate about supporting resilient, empowered, authentic leaders to create organisations that are truly committed to diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging. 

Hannah volunteers as a Governor for a Primary School in Bath and a Mentor for Young Carer.

Joanna Stokes has 25 years of experience in Further Education. She has worked at every level of the sector, from the classroom to the boardroom, including senior leadership roles at Assistant Principal and Director level, and five years as an Ofsted Inspector. A Professional Certified Coach (PCC) and DiSC Accredited Practitioner, she specialises in leadership development and career development for FE professionals. Joanna works with colleges to develop managers and leaders who think more clearly, lead more effectively and create the conditions for others to do the same. Her sessions are practical, evidence-based and immediately applicable.

A trusted neurodiversity consultant, keynote speaker, and strategic advisor with over 20 years’ experience supporting inclusion across further and higher education and corporate sectors. She has trained thousands of professionals, including senior leadership teams, to implement practical, scalable approaches to neuro-inclusion. Louise helped develop a digital assessment that has enabled hundreds of thousands of learners to understand their cognitive profiles and access appropriate support where needed. With a background in a STEM discipline, she applies a structured, analytical, and methodical approach to organisational change, underpinned by a human, person-centred ethos that drives measurable, sustainable impact.

Natalie is an experienced senior leader in the further education and training sector, with experience working within both public and private sector organisations. Previous positions include Group Vice Principal – Apprenticeships and Assistant Principal – Apprenticeships, Adult Skills and Employer Services. 

Through Natalie Rae Consultancy Ltd, Natalie continues to support FE Colleges, Universities, Employer Providers and ITPs with direct consultancy assignments, interim leadership placements, training and development packages and provision and practice reviews – all delivering comprehensive improvement solutions. 

With extensive experience across different commercial, work-based and employment related training programmes, Natalie specialises in quality assurance, performance visibility and developing operational capability to ensure a whole-provider approach to working with stakeholders to enhance the learner and employer experience. Natalie has supported all provider types through her involvement in the DfE’s AWD programme, assisting leaders and operational staff in the identification and the implementation of solutions to improve performance visibility and outcomes.

Scott focuses on supporting the teaching community at BCoT, working alongside a dedicated team of Learning Coaches and Technologists to nurture a culture of peer-to-peer growth. His work centres on the belief that technology is most effective when paired with empathy and collaborative professional development.
While his efforts in AI integration and digital strategy have been recognised by the DfE and through awards like the Google Impact Award, Scott’s primary passion remains the practical, daily support of educators. Having shared insights with over 5,200 peers since 2023, he remains committed to learning from and with the FE sector to create meaningful experiences for students.

Steven spent 9 years as one of Her/His Majesty's Inspector and 18 years as a teacher and leader in an FE college. While working for Ofsted, Steven held positions as the national lead for FE curriculum and national lead for 16 to 19 study programmes. He was lead researcher/author of Ofsted’s influential report into apprenticeships - ‘Apprenticeships: developing skills for future prosperity' (2015). For 3 years he led the training of all Ofsted inspectors and HMI in the FE and sector, including training them to implement the Education Inspection Framework in 2019. Before this, Steven was a senior leader in further education and taught performing arts.

Steven now works on quality improvement and leadership projects with colleges, universities and training providers. He also researches, writes about and provides training on ‘curriculum thinking in FE’ and ‘getting observations right’.

Steve Wileman is Head of Digital Learning at South Staffordshire College and a recognised sector leader in AI adoption, digital governance, and practical transformation across further education. He specialises in helping colleges move from uncertainty to confident, compliant use of AI—particularly Microsoft Copilot—by translating complex data, policy, and technical considerations into clear, actionable frameworks. A Microsoft Innovative Educator Expert since 2023, Steve actively supports FE and sector partners nationally and internationally, enabling organisations to adopt AI safely, ethically, and at pace.

Oscar "Ozzy” Ellis began his journey at South Staffordshire College as a Digital Student Champion, supporting students and staff with digital tools and projects across the college. Through the role, he developed confidence, communication skills, and a passion for helping others learn through technology. He now works as a Learning Support Assistant, where he continues supporting students in their education and development. Alongside this role, he is training to become a teacher, building on the experiences and opportunities gained through the Digital Student Champions program. He is passionate about digital inclusion, student development, and encouraging others to embrace new opportunities.