Keynote Speakers:
Laura Bates
Founder of Everyday Sexism Project
Keynote: Everyday Sexism: In school and beyond.
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.
Steven Gilbert OBE
Anti-Racism Leader Coach & Consultant
Keynote: North Star Leadership: Navigating towards excellence.
With over a decade of experience leading work to tackle racism, and improve outcomes for people living with mental illnesses, Steve Gilbert OBE is the go-to speaker for organisations serious about delivering meaningful change.
Widely recognised for his deep understanding of the issues, powerful presentations, clarity of communication, warmth and relatability, meticulous planning, and striking candour, Steve can be trusted to deliver.
Rachel Macfarlane
Author and Independent Education Consultant
Keynote: Creating Inclusive and Equitable Learning Climates in which All Learners can Thrive.
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.
Steve Taylor
Co-founder of The AI and Me Ltd
Keynote: From Strategy to Stillness: Leading with AI in a Noisy World.
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.
Floyd Woodrow
Founder of Compass for Life
Workshop: Compass Leadership session — find and use your North Star.
With a CV that includes military leader, director, non-executive director, consultant, and negotiator, it’s fair to say that Floyd is a leader. Floyd began his career as a soldier in the Parachute Regiment, spending four years with the 1st Battalion before being one of the youngest ever individuals selected for the Special Air Service at the age of 22. Floyd went on to win the second-highest gallantry award, a Distinguished Conduct Medal, for his work in Iraq and an MBE for his work in Afghanistan.
During his time in the military, Floyd also studied law and psychology and wrote his first book “Learning to Learn”. Since leaving the military Floyd established his consultancy business alongside his commercial business ventures and became the founder of Quantum Group which specialises in finance and technology.
Floyd has established an international reputation for designing and running leadership and elite performance training in sports, business, government, police, not for profit organisations and education.
Determined, supportive, and inspirational, Floyd is a renowned speaker on leadership, dedicating his time and energy to developing elite teams and individuals as well as offering practical and commercial value in strategic planning and execution.
Book now to secure your place and join Birmingham’s leadership community for a day of inspiration and practical tools you can use straight away.
Date, time & venue:
Thursday 13th November 2025, 08.15 - 16.00
Venue - Lower Grounds Suite, Villa Park
Cost:
£259 per person
BEP Basic Members: £159 per person
BEP Essential Members: 1 x ticket free
