Excellence in Leadership Conference 2025
Welcome to BEP’s Excellence in Leadership Conference 2025—where leaders unite to inspire change.
Laura Bates
Best-selling author, keynote speaker and Founder of the Everyday Sexism Project
Laura Bates is a best-selling author, keynote speaker and founder of the Everyday Sexism Project. Her books include Everyday Sexism, Girl Up and Fix the System, Not the Women. Laura writes regularly for the New York Times, Guardian and others, and is a frequent media commentator and consultant for TV productions tackling issues around gender inequality.
She works closely with government, schools, businesses, police forces and bodies from the United Nations to the Council of Europe on sexism and inequality.
In recognition of Laura’s work surrounding sexism and gender inequality, she was awarded a British Empire Medal in the 2015 Queen’s Birthday Honours List and has been named Woman of the Year by Cosmopolitan, Red Magazine and The Sunday Times Magazine. She is also an Honorary Fellow of St John’s College, Cambridge, and a Fellow of the Royal Society of Literature.
Rachel McFarlane
Independent Education Consultant & Author
Rachel Macfarlane is an author and independent education consultant. She was Headteacher of three contrasting schools over a sixteen year period and in 2011 set up an all-through 4-18 academy that was judged to be outstanding in all areas by Ofsted in 2014 and 2018. From 2018-23 she was Director of Education Services at HFL Education. Rachel has written a number of books on the themes of equity, inclusion, great schools and learning power approaches. Obstetrics for Schools (2021) examines the disadvantaged gap and how to overcome it. Unity In Diversity (2023) addresses race inequity and is a practical guide for developing anti-racist schools. The A-Z of Inclusion and Diversity came out in May 2024. Her new book will be about Making School Unmissable. Rachel is passionate about supporting schools to effect social mobility and achieve equity for all learners.
Steve Taylor
CEO, Robin hood MAT
Steve is the CEO of Robin Hood Multi Academy Trust in Birmingham, a position he has held since January 2016. With a strong leadership background in education, he has led Trust School Improvement work, previously served as a National Leader of Education (NLE), and contributed to initiatives at both national and international levels. Steve was a member of a national working party that partnered with Google and Educate Ventures to explore the role of Artificial Intelligence in education and continues to provide thought leadership in this field. In November 2024, he delivered a national keynote at the Optimus Summit on AI and school leadership, focusing on how school leaders can embrace technological advancement. In February 2025, Steve co-founded The AI and Me Ltd, a company dedicated to helping leaders unlock the full potential of AI.
Steve Gilbert OBE
Speaker, Consultant & Coach
Steve Gilbert OBE is an Anti-Racism Consultant with over a decade of experience tackling racism and improving outcomes for people living with mental illnesses. He is the go-to speaker, consultant and coach for organisations serious about delivering meaningful change in this area.
Engage directly with a highly targeted audience of influential leaders in the education sector by becoming a sponsor or exhibitor at our conferences. This is a unique opportunity to showcase your organisation's products, services, and commitment to the future of education. Our attendees, including headteachers, school leaders, and decision-makers from across the region, are actively seeking innovative solutions to the challenges and opportunities they face.
Sponsoring an event will not only elevate your brand's visibility but also position you as a key partner in driving educational excellence in Birmingham and beyond.
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