Our team
Our team
The Educational Opportunity Foundation’s Governing Body (its Board of Trustees) is known as the Council. We also have a President, Estelle Morris, and a Vice-President, Professor John Furlong. There are two subsidiary committees: Investments Committee and Grants Committee.
President and Vice-President
Estelle Morris
President
Estelle Morris is a former Secretary of State for Education and teacher, and is now a member of the House of Lords as well as Chair of the Birmingham Education Partnership.
John Furlong
Vice-President
John Furlong, OBE, a former London school teacher, is an Emeritus Professor of Education at the University of Oxford. He is a former President of the British Educational Research Association, and Fellow of the Academy of Social Sciences. In 2017, John was awarded the OBE for services to educational research and advice to government.
Council Members
Jane Creasy
Chair
Educational and public sector leadership at local and national level. Former Operations Director at the National College for School Leadership and Headteacher.
Robert Spencer
Treasurer
Robert Spencer was Director of Finance in non-for-profit membership organisations for 10 years until retirement and has experience of overseeing charity investments.
Charlotte Cashman
Vice-Chair
Experienced early years teacher, school governor, charity trustee and pioneering international teacher trainer in early literacy.
Anood Al-Samerai
Trustee
Experience in local and national government and the voluntary sector. Former education charity director.
Janice Miller
Trustee
Janice Miller, FCMA, has wide experience in charity leadership, governance and overseas development, including education and child protection. Formerly extensive general management, finance and consulting experience in the corporate sector.
Suela Aksoy
Trustee
Suela is a philanthropy professional who has successfully implemented corporate social responsibility initiatives, and a wealth of experience in grant-giving for young people including for foundations and Comic Relief.
David Crowther
Trustee
David is a former Acting Director of BFSS. He has worked in publishing and international educational assessments, to developing education programmes for government.
Nick Tesseyman
Trustee
Nick has worked for the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development and Christ's Hospital School, and has voluntary roles including as an Independent Visitor for a care experienced young person.
Staff
Joanne Knight
Director
Extensive experience as Director of grant giving charities, with investments and fundraising for income. Former Trustee of Association of Charitable Foundations and Manager of Starehe UK, a Kenyan education charity.
Belinda Lawrance
Administrator
Keeping the British and Foreign School Society running smoothly since the 1990’s!
Ashley Kuchanny
Grants Manager
Background in international development. Monitoring and Evaluation Specialist, with experience working with NGOs and research institutes.
Sara Gaines
Communications Manager
Wide experience in communications for education charities, universities, community organisations and technology companies. Former journalist for The Guardian.