Jonathan qualified as a solicitor and after a period in private practice has been a senior lawyer in the Civil Service for nearly 30 years working in a number of departments. He currently advises on employment law to a number of public bodies including the Department for Education and the HM Prison and Probation Service but has advised on subjects as diverse as cigarette smuggling and nuclear decommissioning. Jonathan has a strong commitment to diversity and inclusion and in his time has acted as Disability Officer and contributes actively to the carers network.

Jonathan is married and has four boys, all of whom are autistic - one of whom is currently at Ambitious College. His interests are theatre, art, playing bridge, and walking.

Nicola has over 15 years’ experience in developing and managing complex services and teams within a variety of post-16 SEN settings. Nicola joined Ambitious about Autism in July 2015 and brings her expertise in operational and service management to the team. Nicola holds an ILM Level 5 in Leadership and Management and is currently undertaking an MSc in Positive Behaviour Support. Nicola is passionate that all young people are supported to work towards their own meaningful outcomes and develop skills for future success.

Steve is a Senior Learning and Behaviour Specialist at Ambitious College, where he has worked since 2019 and has joined the Governing Body in January 2022. He has two autistic sons, one of whom attends TreeHouse School.

Before joining Ambitious about Autism, Steve worked for 25 years in operational management in NHS hospitals around London. Before that, he qualified in and worked as a newspaper reporter. He was a parent governor for seven years at a specialist school in Enfield for autistic pupils.

Steve is passionate about ensuring all autistic young people receive the education and support they are entitled to, and is committed to helping to ensure their voices are heard and to speaking up on their behalf.

Sam Newton's career focus has been in the SEND sector since 1998 with experience of supporting learners aged two to post-19 requiring support from education, health and care. Previous leadership experience includes experience across all key stage phases and in a variety of roles as Director of Education, Headteacher, Head of School, Assistant Head – KS3/4 Transformation, Assistant Headteacher for securing capital development projects for Specialist Status and Head of Primary in both day and residential, maintained, non-maintained and Charity settings. 

During the entirety of her career to date, she has worked with provisions who work as local, regional and national settings across a range of local authorities, social care and health funded. Leading and facilitating transformational change and turnaround where significant improvements are required has been a passion of hers, with an aim to ensure that provisions provide leading educational standards. Sam advocates a systems leadership approach whereby leaders at all levels are empowered to learn from each other and others for continual improvement in delivery to learners. Sam is proud that her efforts resulted in a Pearson’s National Teaching Award in 2021 but as she wholeheartedly recognises the work of the staff in any setting, it is by rights theirs too!

Charlotte is the Senior Learning Support Coordinator at Ambitious College, West Thames, where she has worked since August 2020.

Her role is to oversee and manage the Specialist Teaching Assistant teams. Before joining Ambitious about Autism, Charlotte worked in various roles across the charity and care sectors.

Charlotte is committed to ensuring best practice and continuous improvement at the college, in order to achieve the best possible outcomes for our learners. 

Outside of work, Charlotte has a passion for music and sings in a choir.
 

Ian is a Chartered Accountant (FCA), having worked with Grant Thornton and Deloitte before leaving the profession and moving to London to work in a Music Management Co, followed by 2 years at Stiff Records. He then joined a music distribution company, becoming Finance Director. After 7 years, Ian moved to BT, initially leading Financial Planning for BT’s Broadcast and Visual Services division, subsequently moving on to BT Business and finally Openreach, where he was engaged in large scale transformation projects.

After 25 years at BT Group, Ian retired and is now able to focus on other activities, including investing.

Ian is married and his son, Jamie, recently started at Ambitious College. He also has a daughter who is studying for a Masters at the University of Warwick. Ian is Vice-Chair of Governors of Springhallow School, an autism-specific setting and one of the 6 special schools in Ealing, which Jamie had attended for 11 years. He is also a member of the Ealing Schools Forum.

Other interests include keeping focus on improvements to a home in Llandudno, being a member of Ealing Rock Choir and enjoying collecting (and drinking) wine.
 

Tom works with schools, community groups, parents and charities to set up new state free schools around the country. Experienced in working with a multitude of stakeholders across the education sector, Tom has supported local authorities to establish new special and alternative provision schools in communities where young people’s needs are struggling to be met.

Tom specialises in academy trust development and works with school and trust leaders in a consultative capacity to strengthen their institutions. In recent years, he has channelled a passion for innovation and design into creating tailored services for new, growing and established schools.

A reluctant Arsenal fan, Tom also has an interest in music, architecture and politics.
 

David is the dad of two learners at the CONEL site. They previously attended TreeHouse School. David is the Director of a Mental Health NHS Trust and has been a member of NHS boards since 2000 holding roles in corporate governance, planning and strategy. David was previously a parent governor at a primary age school and special needs centre. In the past, he served for eight years as an elected London Borough councillor. David is also a committee member of the South Woodford Society, a residents’ group in his local community.