Strategic Board

Please find below a list of members of the 2025/26 Strategic Board:

Claire Taylor (Chair): MEI Project Manager, Mathematics in Education and Industry

Claire has been involved in national initiatives to improve the delivery of Mathematics since 2018 and is currently the National Project Manager working on the Advanced Maths Support Programme (AMSP). Having previously worked as a Senior Leader within Secondary schools, Claire has managed change and implemented a number of whole-school initiatives and understands the importance of high quality, timely and relevant PD to drive improvement in the sector through all phases. As a graduate of the University of Hull and after teaching in Bridlington for a number of years, Claire has an interest in working to develop provision in the Yorkshire and Humber area, as well as Nationally. She has a good understanding of the working of Maths Hubs and Teaching for Mastery through her work with the NCETM and is looking forward to offering a level of challenge to the Maths Hub and helping to develop their strategic vision for the coming year.

Richard Grogan: Headteacher, Lapage Primary School

Richard brings 16 years of valuable experience in primary education to the table. With over eight years as a senior leader focusing on school improvement, he has a profound passion for teaching and learning. He is committed to continuous self-improvement and takes pride in his role on the Maths Hub Strategic Board, contributing to the organisation's pursuit of educational excellence.

Olivia Bennett: Head of Partnerships (North & East); National Institute of Teaching

Currently the Head of Partnerships for the North & East region of the NIoT, Olivia oversees the strategic relationships between the institute and Associate Colleges; placement schools and new partners, as well as leading on participant recruitment to ITE, ECF & NPQ programmes. Prior to this role, Olivia worked for Outwood Grange Academies Trust for five years in a multitude of roles within the Outwood Institute of Education, the trust's CPD arm. Passionate about improving the learning journey and outcome of students, through the development of our teachers and leaders, Olivia is excited to be a part of the fantastic work YHMH does across the region.

Phil Groves: Project Manager, Northern Power Grid

Phil is currently a project manager at Northern Powergrid, the electricity distribution network operator for Yorkshire and the Northeast, where he has worked for over 22 years. Phil has worked within the engineering, investment delivery, and business performance areas of the company and is currently working in the Smart Metering Data Team. Phil is a specialist in data analysis, presenting and communicating data at all levels of the business and has delivered projects involving machine learning and advanced analytics. Phil has an undergraduate MEng (Honours) Degree in Materials Engineering from Liverpool University and has recently completed a postgraduate Masters Apprenticeship in Data Analytics at Newcastle University. Phil is also the Chair of Governors at Outwood Primary Academy Bell Lane in Ackworth and has been part of their governing body for over 12 Years.

Francine Lewis: Independent Education and STEM Consultant

Francine is an experienced Project Manager and Education Consultant with a background spanning civil engineering, regeneration, and mathematics education. She has led major infrastructure and education programmes, developed inclusive curriculum frameworks, and built partnerships connecting education with industry. Currently advising on national and international STEM initiatives including Leeds City of Maths and the University of Bradford Tutoring Programme, Francine is passionate about widening participation in mathematics and strengthening collaboration across schools, universities, and employers through her roles on both the Yorkshire and Humber and the West Yorkshire Maths Hub Strategic Boards.

Julie Mills: Senior School Improvement Partner, Wakefield Local Authority

Julie is a senior school improvement adviser working closely with primary leaders in maintained schools and academies across Wakefield Local Authority. She is an experienced  leader, having been a headteacher for 15 years and executive headteacher of a school in special measures for two years before joining the school improvement team at Wakefield. Julie is committed to inclusive education and passionate about making a difference to the outcomes of young people, particularly those who face disadvantage. She has co-facilitated the primary mathematics network for Wakefield LA with colleagues for the Y&H maths hub for the past 6 years developing mathematics leaders knowledge and understanding of high quality mathematics provision.  

James Parkinson: Executive Headteacher, Pontefract Academies Trust

James is currently Executive Headteacher for Pontefract Academies Trust. Being a school leader for well over 10 years, James has led schools from Requires Improvement to Outstanding, building sustained success particularly in schools that are well above national in levels of deprivation.

James is passionate about ensuring learning barriers to all pupils are removed and that children at all levels can build resilience and independence to access all areas of learning confidently. With teacher development being a fundamental ingredient to school improvement, James is excited to be a member of the YHMH strategic board and support practitioners across the region to consider how they teach maths and the significant positive impact this can lead to in the form of pupils mathematical understanding.

Charlie Stripp: Director, NCETM

Charlie has been the NCETM’s Director since 2013. He represents the NCETM nationally and internationally and often presents at conferences and events. He is also Chief Executive of MEI.

Gwyn Edwards: Teacher of Mathematics, Induction Tutor, NCETM PD Lead, Moor End Academy

Gwyneth has 20 years’ experience teaching in Huddersfield. She is a L&T Lead teacher and Induction Tutor at Moor End Academy. Gwyneth has previously been a Maths ACL for several years where she worked with the Maths Hubs to establish a mastery curriculum. Gwyneth is a PD lead and has led Work Groups for the Maths Hub. To support these roles, Gwyneth has completed a NPQML and NPQLL reflecting her belief that high-quality professional development is transformative. She is passionate about making mathematics accessible to all pupils and supporting teacher development and practices. 

Tarjinder Gill: Associate Director of Research and Pedagogy, Outwood Grange Academies Trust

Tarjinder has worked as a teacher for 16 years in disadvantaged areas including Wakefield, Great Yarmouth, Leicester, London and Birmingham. She has spoken at education conferences including ResearchED and the Education Festival. She has worked collaboratively to ensure that research and evidence underpins all of the training and teaching at Outwood Grange Academies Trust. 

Lucy Sykes: Director of the Teaching School Hub

Currently the Director of Calderdale and Kirklees Teaching School Hub and supporting school improvement across Share MAT, Lucy is committed to supporting high quality professional development for all staff working in education.

Lucy oversees the Teaching School Hub remit by working with local strategic partners to deliver impactful Initial Teacher Training (ITT), Early Career Teacher (ECF) training and National Professional Qualifications (NPQs).  She is a trained facilitator for Ambition Institute and sits on the board for the West Yorkshire Maths Hub.  Lucy's background prior to this role included the Director of School Improvement across 8 schools, working with both primary and secondary colleagues to improve outcomes for all children, regardless of their background. Lucy is looking forward to supporting the Yorkshire and the Humber Maths Hub.

Matthew Vickers: Lead Principal, Outwood Grange Academies Trust

Matthew Vickers is a Lead Principal for Outwood Grange Academies Trust, overseeing three primary schools in Wakefield and North Yorkshire. A passionate advocate for the mastery approach in mathematics, Matthew's expertise extends to his role as an Ofsted inspector. Balancing his dedication to education with a love for music and his beloved Leeds United, Matthew is passionate about improving the life chances of all children through effective system leadership. 

Rebecca Clayton, Director of Improvement and Performance, Enquire Learning Trust

Rebecca is the Director of Improvement and Performance at Enquire Learning Trust which has 32 schools. Her school improvement role is to work alongside principals to develop depth of leadership within each academy and offers coaching and challenging support to leaders in designing effective whole school provision. Rebecca also supports curriculum leaders in designing progressive and coherent curriculum plans so that pupils develop a wealth of connected knowledge and skills that prepares them for their next stage of education. She is passionate about maths and is the strategic lead for the Trust. Rebecca is responsibility for assessment and standards for her MAT and as part of her role, she analyses trust performance and supports leaders in developing robust systems for gap analysis. 

With over 25 years of experience in mathematics education, Tony has spent his career working to improve how maths is taught and experienced. He is best known for his role as Founder of White Rose Maths, whose resources are now used in more than 30,000 schools, and as the series editor of Power Maths - two projects that have helped shape classroom practice across England and beyond. 

A former teacher and senior leader, Tony brings a deep understanding of what works in the classroom. His passion lies in supporting teachers to deliver maths lessons that are engaging, meaningful, and truly impactful.  That same passion now drives his latest venture, Rethink Maths - a new organisation he co-founded with the aim of improving maths education. Guided by five clear missions, Rethink Maths is focused on helping every child succeed in maths, wherever they are in the world.

Caitlin Mackinder

Bio coming soon…