PLMR’s Head of Education Tiffany Beck OBE has been appointed to the Board of Trustees of the School-Led Development Trust, the charity which runs the National Institute of Teaching (NIoT). 

The NIoT is England’s flagship teacher development and research institute, founded in 2022 by four of the country’s leading multi-academy trusts (Star Academies, Outwood Grange Academies Trust, Oasis Community Learning and Harris Federation) with the backing of the Department for Education. It plays a vital role in ensuring teachers and school leaders receive the very highest quality training and continuous professional development across the education system. 

Tiff brings a wealth of policy, communications and governance expertise to the Board. She will work closely with fellow trustees and the executive leadership to support the Institute’s continued development—particularly as it works towards becoming the first specialist, school-led university for the teaching profession.

Joining the Board alongside Tiff are two other new trustees, Wonkhe Editor Dr Debbie McVitty and Mike Nicholson, Director of Recruitment, Admissions and Participation at the University of Cambridge.  

The Board is chaired by Sir Dan Moynihan, CEO of the Harris Federation, and includes a range of senior leaders from the world of education and beyond, including Sir Hamid Patel CBE (CEO of Star Academies), Dame Rachel de Souza (Children’s Commissioner of England), Lee Wilson (CEO of Outwood Grange Academies Trust), Lord Theodore Agnew (Schools Minister from 2017 to 2020 and Chair of Inspiration Trust), John Barneby (CEO of Oasis Community Learning) and Dame Colette Bowe (member of the Bank of England’s Financial Policy Committee). 

Tiffany Beck OBE, Head of Education at PLMR, said:  

“The quality of teaching is the single most important factor in determining how well a child will do at school – so the NIoT, in inspiring our nation’s teachers and school leaders to give all children the best education possible, has a vital role. 

“It is an especially important moment for the NIoT as it seeks to become a school-led university for the teaching profession, further boosting the quality of teaching and school leadership across England.  

“I am therefore so privileged to be joining its Board and am looking forward to supporting its work.” 

Ollie Lane, Managing Director of PLMR, said:  

“The National Institute of Teaching is an essential part of our schools system, providing world-class teacher development so that children and young people get a world-class education. Tiff’s education knowledge and comms expertise mean she will be an excellent trustee. We are very proud to be supporting the ongoing success of the NIoT.” 

Commenting on the appointments of the three new trustees, the Chair of the School-Led Development Trust’s board, Sir Dan Moynihan, said:  

“I’m delighted to welcome Debbie, Mike and Tiffany onto the board at such a pivotal moment in our history. Having recently gained new degree awarding powers, their knowledge of education policy and practice adds invaluable expertise, while we know they also share our ambition to bring the best quality teaching to children facing the greatest disadvantage. I look forward to working with them in the years ahead.” 

For more information about NIoT and this appointment, please visit: https://niot.org.uk/news-events.