OUR C.E.O.

Michael Flack

Having taught within the independent education sector since 2018 and with a background film and television, Mike is working toward making the topic of financial education a more active and interactive learning experience for students. Having worked independently before teaching, producing marketing videos for different clients across Eur

Having taught within the independent education sector since 2018 and with a background film and television, Mike is working toward making the topic of financial education a more active and interactive learning experience for students. Having worked independently before teaching, producing marketing videos for different clients across Europe, Mike enjoys finding ways to promote key messages across a visual medium. Michael is passionate about improving financial literacy for young people across the United Kingdom, a topic that is so important for the current and future generations. He is excited about leading WizeUp through the next phase of our development.

OUR TRUSTEES

Alan Walters (Chair)

Saskia Perriard-Abdoh

Alan Walters (Chair)

Alan has worked in and around the paper industry for his entire career with the majority of that time spent with Wiggins Teape. During that time Alan was responsible for production, operational logistics, systems and applications in both the UK and Europe. He finally oversaw corporate project management as director both in the UK and Eu

Alan has worked in and around the paper industry for his entire career with the majority of that time spent with Wiggins Teape. During that time Alan was responsible for production, operational logistics, systems and applications in both the UK and Europe. He finally oversaw corporate project management as director both in the UK and Europe.

Since retirement, his interests include family, golf, film and literature.

Derek Stew

Saskia Perriard-Abdoh

Alan Walters (Chair)

Derek spent his entire career working for British Telecoms (formerly GPO) which saw him qualify initially as an engineer.

He moved onto a procurement role leading a team of pricing specialists negotiating a variety of very large supply contracts and joining the Institute of Purchasing and Supply. At this time process re-engineering was in

Derek spent his entire career working for British Telecoms (formerly GPO) which saw him qualify initially as an engineer.

He moved onto a procurement role leading a team of pricing specialists negotiating a variety of very large supply contracts and joining the Institute of Purchasing and Supply. At this time process re-engineering was introduced and he headed up a team that delivered major cost and time savings in the installation of external work.

Derek retired in 1998 and offered his services into the voluntary sector. Over the next ten years he was a classroom assistant in a Christchurch Primary School and a study assistant in the West Ham United Learning Centre, providing teaching backup for Years 6 and 7 on numeracy, literacy and ICT.

Saskia Perriard-Abdoh

Saskia Perriard-Abdoh

Saskia Perriard-Abdoh

Saskia joined the British Copyright Council (BCC) in September 2021 as Director of Policy and Public Affairs. Prior to joining the BCC, she oversaw the British Psychological Society's policy programme.

Her work at the time was primarily centred on health policy including behaviour change, obesity, smoking, drugs, and traumatic brain injur

Saskia joined the British Copyright Council (BCC) in September 2021 as Director of Policy and Public Affairs. Prior to joining the BCC, she oversaw the British Psychological Society's policy programme.

Her work at the time was primarily centred on health policy including behaviour change, obesity, smoking, drugs, and traumatic brain injuries. She was also the policy lead for the BPS’ Psychological Government work stream which examined decision making processes in government.

Saskia has also held several positions at Prospect magazine, including Head of Research and Political Engagement. During her time at Prospect she was responsible for overseeing the magazine’s significantly expanded political activities such as their flagship industrial strategy and financial inclusion programmes, leading on the international expansion of the annual Think Tank Awards, and developing ongoing relationships across government.

Gemma Dunbar

Gemma Dunbar

Saskia Perriard-Abdoh

Gemma has worked in the charitable sector since leaving university where she studied history. She started in events fundraising, moved into trust fundraising and then across to grant giving. This has given her first hand experience of the importance of sound financial understanding to help people succeed in both work and in life more gen

Gemma has worked in the charitable sector since leaving university where she studied history. She started in events fundraising, moved into trust fundraising and then across to grant giving. This has given her first hand experience of the importance of sound financial understanding to help people succeed in both work and in life more generally.

Gemma spent more than 12 years at the Jack Petchey Foundation where she held a number of roles from managing the grants officers and internal funding schemes, to developing new programmes and external partnerships. One of the best parts of the role was working with young people directly. It was through JPF that Gemma first started working with WizeUp.

Gemma has held a number of voluntary roles, including being a Childline counsellor, a panel member for her local young offending team and currently through sitting as a Magistrate in the adult criminal courts.

Gemma is delighted to be involved in WizeUp and supporting young people in gathering the information they need to make smart financial decisions.

Elma Morris

Gemma Dunbar

Elma Morris

Elma has over 30 years of Corporate Finance and Structured Debt experience in the real estate, oil and gas and retail industries, including 9 years as the European Treasurer for Lendlease, 7 years as Group Treasurer at Canary Wharf Group, 4 years as Director of Structured Debt/Corporate Finance at Tesco and 3 years as a Property Finance C

Elma has over 30 years of Corporate Finance and Structured Debt experience in the real estate, oil and gas and retail industries, including 9 years as the European Treasurer for Lendlease, 7 years as Group Treasurer at Canary Wharf Group, 4 years as Director of Structured Debt/Corporate Finance at Tesco and 3 years as a Property Finance Consultant.

Prior to finding her niche in Treasury, Elma undertook a number of roles in finance including budgeting, economic and strategic planning, and joint venture accounting. However, her very first steps into the world of work, were as a computer programmer and systems analyst.

Although most of her career has been based in London, she also spent two years working in Dubai in the 1980s while in the oil and gas industry.

Elma has an MSc in Economics, an MBA and is a Fellow of the Association of Corporate Treasurers.

Throughout her career, Elma has always taken a strong interest in developing her teams and has mentored and coached many individuals. Joining Wizeup as a Trustee therefore provides Elma with the opportunity to continue with her desire to help people.

Lee Giles

Gemma Dunbar

Elma Morris

Lee has almost 20 years’ experience working with young people in a variety of educational, charitable and community settings. He has a first class honours degree in Education Studies, and continues to study and apply different educational philosophies and pedagogic techniques. Having spent much of his career working in the third sector, h

Lee has almost 20 years’ experience working with young people in a variety of educational, charitable and community settings. He has a first class honours degree in Education Studies, and continues to study and apply different educational philosophies and pedagogic techniques. Having spent much of his career working in the third sector, he has specialised in strategy, organisational efficiency, organisational finance, people management and problem solving, alongside working directly with young people or service users. As well as a keen interest in charitable and ethical pursuits and politics, Lee enjoys the great outdoors, especially gardening, and walking his dog with his wife Ellen and three children in the countryside around his home just south of Bath.

OUR VOLUNTEERS

Ken Winberg

Fay Richards

Ken initially worked in the public sector for the Lord Chancellor’s Department culminating in his appointment as the London County Courts and Tribunals administrator. In that role he managed all twelve of the London County Courts and six Tribunals of various jurisdictions.
In 1990 he was appointed as the London Area Manager before becomi

Ken initially worked in the public sector for the Lord Chancellor’s Department culminating in his appointment as the London County Courts and Tribunals administrator. In that role he managed all twelve of the London County Courts and six Tribunals of various jurisdictions.
In 1990 he was appointed as the London Area Manager before becoming National Operations Director of the Legal Aid Board which, at that time, was the NDPB responsible for the administration of public funding for legal services. His staff, based in regional offices throughout England and Wales, processed a spend of £50-60m per annum. He was at the forefront of quality management initiatives including the achievement of British Standards quality accreditation for all the offices under his command and the devolvement of power to law firms to authorise their own public funding in return for meeting auditable quality standards.
In 1998 he moved to the private sector where he ran the largest law firm in the East London / Essex area. He was responsible for all aspects of the practice including finance, personnel, facilities management and regulatory compliance until his retirement in 2016. Ken was our chair of trustees until August 2022.

Fay Richards

Fay Richards

Fay is an experienced events manager with a demonstrated history of working in unique, historic venues. Having graduated with a BA (Hons) degree in Events Management from the University of Greenwich and working within the events industry in and around London for 14 years, she has gained a wealth of experience and knowledge in her field.

Fay is an experienced events manager with a demonstrated history of working in unique, historic venues. Having graduated with a BA (Hons) degree in Events Management from the University of Greenwich and working within the events industry in and around London for 14 years, she has gained a wealth of experience and knowledge in her field. She has a keen interest in charitable and fundraising events, and has assisted in raising vital funds for many charities in the past. She is excited to be helping WizeUp Financial Education seek new funding opportunities.

OUR FOUNDER & PRESIDENT

Ed Flack

Ed has been in financial markets all of his working life - having long spells with HSBC, Handelsbanken, ING and most recently, Director of Corporate Treasury and Investment for Deutsche Postbank. Ed has also worked for four years in Singapore as Treasurer for BHF bank and specialises in Foreign Exchange, money markets and derivatives. He

Ed has been in financial markets all of his working life - having long spells with HSBC, Handelsbanken, ING and most recently, Director of Corporate Treasury and Investment for Deutsche Postbank. Ed has also worked for four years in Singapore as Treasurer for BHF bank and specialises in Foreign Exchange, money markets and derivatives. He has a first class honours degree from the OU in maths and natural sciences. Ed is married to Susan and they have three children and five grandchildren. The idea to form WizeUp in came from first hand experience of the trials and tribulations of his own children as they moved through adolescence and into adulthood. He developed WizeUp Consultants, a not for profit company in 2011 and he decided to apply for charitable status in 2020. This was granted and WizeUp Financial Education began work in the same year. Ed was CEO from it's inception until he stepped down at the end of 2023.

OUR ASSOCIATES

Sophia Mousoulides (London & Essex) (Head of London & Essex Mainstream Programmes)

Sophia Mousoulides (London & Essex) (Head of London & Essex Mainstream Programmes)

Sophia Mousoulides (London & Essex) (Head of London & Essex Mainstream Programmes)

Sophia is an advocate of social mobility and has over 15 years’ experience working in higher education and the charity sector, with expertise and passion for enabling young people reach their potential. She has a wealth of experience in partnership building, boosting employability, widening participation, project management, and deliverin

Sophia is an advocate of social mobility and has over 15 years’ experience working in higher education and the charity sector, with expertise and passion for enabling young people reach their potential. She has a wealth of experience in partnership building, boosting employability, widening participation, project management, and delivering workshops to young people predominantly across London and Essex.

Laura Flynn - PRU & SEND Lead

Sophia Mousoulides (London & Essex) (Head of London & Essex Mainstream Programmes)

Sophia Mousoulides (London & Essex) (Head of London & Essex Mainstream Programmes)

Laura joins us with a wealth of experience in mentoring where she received the National Mentor of the Year award from Career Ready, a social mobility charity with 5,000 mentors. She is currently Education Coach with Innerscope and Programme Director of the North Star Programme.

Her experience working with students with needs relating to

Laura joins us with a wealth of experience in mentoring where she received the National Mentor of the Year award from Career Ready, a social mobility charity with 5,000 mentors. She is currently Education Coach with Innerscope and Programme Director of the North Star Programme.

Her experience working with students with needs relating to challenging behaviour makes her the perfect choice to develop and deliver our WizeUp with Jack Petchey programme for PRUs.

Earlier in her career Laura was COO of City University School of Arts and Social Sciences.

Mona Vadher (Consultant)

Sophia Mousoulides (London & Essex) (Head of London & Essex Mainstream Programmes)

Mona Vadher (Consultant)

Mona is a social mobility advocate deeply committed to diversity, inclusion, and social impact. She has a track record of driving change with innovative programmes and effective leadership. She is a goal-driven entrepreneur, comfortable with generating and implementing long-term strategies to spur growth and maximise reach. Creative and

Mona is a social mobility advocate deeply committed to diversity, inclusion, and social impact. She has a track record of driving change with innovative programmes and effective leadership. She is a goal-driven entrepreneur, comfortable with generating and implementing long-term strategies to spur growth and maximise reach. Creative and passionate about building purpose-driven and impact-led programmes designed to bolster the confidence and employability prospects of young people from diverse backgrounds.

Mona is an educational and skills policy expert and has experience with working with Boards of Trustees. She has delivered senior-level partnerships across higher education, Government, and financial services. She has created initiatives which have raised aspirations, driven employability prospects and increased confidence for young people, from low, socio-economic backgrounds. Mona believes that your background shouldn’t determine your life outcomes and so, there should be diversity, inclusion, and equity at progression. She has set up highly complex programmes that are purpose-driven and impact-led for many organisations such as the City of London Corporation, Department for Education and the Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education.

Currently, Mona is a Director for a Community Interest Company, LMP Action and sits on the Senior Executive Board for the LMP Group. Prior to joining LMP Action C.I.C., she set up the Government-commissioned taskforce (BEIS and HM Treasury), which seeks to boost and improve socio-economic diversity at senior levels within UK Financial and Professional Services and ran the secretariat. She has a strong knowledge of trends relating to the UK Skills Bill and Levelling Up agenda and experience of working with boards. Mona is Vice-Chair of Trustees at Birkbeck Student’s Union and Governor at the John Dewey Specialist College. She is also a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts.

Ash Shastry (London)

Marie Foster (West Midlands)

Mona Vadher (Consultant)

Ash helps big dreamers become high achievers. Using his background in Mechanical Engineering, Management and Business, he led the learning and development agenda at a people management firm and was quickly nominated as the youngest director in the company. Ash now runs his own business to help companies develop high performing teams by pu

Ash helps big dreamers become high achievers. Using his background in Mechanical Engineering, Management and Business, he led the learning and development agenda at a people management firm and was quickly nominated as the youngest director in the company. Ash now runs his own business to help companies develop high performing teams by putting people and culture at the heart of all success.

Ash believes in short-cutting the journey to “success” by learning from those who have achieved what you want to achieve. This has allowed him to quickly gain a lot of experience, work with some of the world’s biggest companies and opened his eyes to the infinite opportunities this world has to offer.

He loves to bring his energy and enthusiasm to train others in developing confidence, communication and leadership skills in hopes that he can one day be the short-cut to someone else’s success.

Marie Foster (West Midlands)

Marie Foster (West Midlands)

Marie Foster (West Midlands)

Marie has 25 years experience of working in the financial sector. This involved being a financial specialist in advising and educating clients from Adults, Students and young children in supporting their future and putting them on the right path of life. She has also been a Branch Manager for Nationwide Building Society, Barclays and mos

Marie has 25 years experience of working in the financial sector. This involved being a financial specialist in advising and educating clients from Adults, Students and young children in supporting their future and putting them on the right path of life. She has also been a Branch Manager for Nationwide Building Society, Barclays and most recently Market Harborough Building Society. In her most recent role, she was responsible for running 3 branches across Northamptonshire and Leicestershire. Marie has a passion for capacity creation by engaging colleagues in change and enjoys training them to support this change. She is

happily married with 3 wonderful grown up children, enjoying holidays, weekends away and socialising. Marie enjoys watching football and supports Leicester City.

Mel Sneath (Yorks)

Marie Foster (West Midlands)

Marie Foster (West Midlands)

Mel Sneath has become our new associate for Leicestershire and Nottinghamshire.

Mel is an enthusiastic public speaker who has helped young people across the country find their voice, gain confidence and learn to speak with passion. She loves speaking and brining a smile to peoples faces. Her favourite part in presenting is having fun whilst also making life-changing impact on young peoples lives.

Kate Lee (South West)

Katharine Matthews (North East)

Samina Kiyani (London)

Kate has worked in education throughout her career, initially as a teacher and Head of Department and subsequently for the leading education charity AQA. With a background in digital and blended learning, she has also worked in senior roles in Edtech and educational publishing, producing engaging teaching and learning resources and digita

Kate has worked in education throughout her career, initially as a teacher and Head of Department and subsequently for the leading education charity AQA. With a background in digital and blended learning, she has also worked in senior roles in Edtech and educational publishing, producing engaging teaching and learning resources and digital tools to support students and teachers.

As a former English teacher, she is passionate about all forms of literacy as a way of closing the disadvantage gap, including developing students’ vocabulary, reading, writing and financial literacy skills.

Samina Kiyani (London)

Katharine Matthews (North East)

Samina Kiyani (London)

Samina is a TV professional with a 30+ years career in media. She has honed her skills in live TV, news, current affairs, entertainment, documentaries, and live online events. Her natural ability to connect with people has made her a popular host, emcee, and moderator for various events, including awards ceremonies, a BAFTA members' film

Samina is a TV professional with a 30+ years career in media. She has honed her skills in live TV, news, current affairs, entertainment, documentaries, and live online events. Her natural ability to connect with people has made her a popular host, emcee, and moderator for various events, including awards ceremonies, a BAFTA members' film screening and panel sessions.

Samina runs a media consultancy delivering communication and broadcast skills to professionals, businesses and educational institutions, and supports young people with their future careers.
She is a passionate advocate for driving Diversity, Equity and Inclusion across the media industry and believes that we all have the opportunity to influence and lead real change.

Katharine Matthews (North East)

Katharine Matthews (North East)

Katharine Matthews (North East)

Katharine Matthews is an ex-English teacher with over 15 years’ experience at Secondary level, now running two successful businesses. Following a long position as Second in Department, tracking progress and data and overseeing intervention, then a Whole School Literacy Coordinator role, she left teaching to start her own business as a

Katharine Matthews is an ex-English teacher with over 15 years’ experience at Secondary level, now running two successful businesses. Following a long position as Second in Department, tracking progress and data and overseeing intervention, then a Whole School Literacy Coordinator role, she left teaching to start her own business as a Copywriter and Marketing Consultant. Two years later, she set up a local networking organisation, hosting an range of events to support other professionals and boost her local economy. She runs the two alongside parenting a young family with her husband, and enjoys walks with their cocker spaniel, yoga, watching psychological thrillers - and a lot of coffee!

Luisa Guerreiro (London)

Joanne Symm (Market Harborough

Katharine Matthews (North East)

"Luisa has over 20 years experience in mentoring, assisting in the training of professionals for jobs in the corporate and medical sector, facilitating workshops, and public speaking at educational institutions. Her experience as a public speaker in schools, highlights Luisa's ability to engage young minds on career path trajectories and

"Luisa has over 20 years experience in mentoring, assisting in the training of professionals for jobs in the corporate and medical sector, facilitating workshops, and public speaking at educational institutions. Her experience as a public speaker in schools, highlights Luisa's ability to engage young minds on career path trajectories and post school options. She has worked as a teaching assistant, drama facilitator and workshop leader, enthusing people to find their voices and develop critical thinking to make informed choices.
Luisa is also an actor with 20 + years experience on stage and screen productions, as well as computer games (voice over and motion capture), puppetry, and creature performance. She studied at Royal Holloway, University of London and then went onto train at The Royal School of Speech and Drama. She has worked for companies including The National Theatre, Netflix, Legendary Entertainment, Disney, Guerrilla Games, Ubisoft, BBC3 Comedy, The Harold Pinter Theatre, and CBBC, to name a few. Her work as a performing arts professional supports her ability to connect to a wide demographic of people in an entertaining, humorous, inclusive and welcoming way; this makes Luisa an approachable and inviting speaker.
Luisa co-runs a production company called Old Lamp Entertainment with her partner, has a daughter and a ginger cat. She considers 'adulting' to be over-rated, finance to be important, and wisdom to be something earned through experience and not necessarily age. She is very much looking forward to working with WizeUp Financial Education to deliver presentations for the 'adulting-discerning' but 'vibrantly enthused' when it comes to financial know-how and confidence."

Emma Gilbert (North West)

Joanne Symm (Market Harborough

Joanne Symm (Market Harborough

Emma is a retired Police Chief Inspector from Greater Manchester Police. Throughout her career, she’s been a staunch campaigner for people’s rights and independence, particularly children and young people as well as those who are deaf or disabled. She became a specialist in safeguarding and protecting children and vulnerable adults and n

Emma is a retired Police Chief Inspector from Greater Manchester Police. Throughout her career, she’s been a staunch campaigner for people’s rights and independence, particularly children and young people as well as those who are deaf or disabled. She became a specialist in safeguarding and protecting children and vulnerable adults and nationally developed the strategy for Deaf Access to Policing significantly improving access to justice for deaf individuals. Emma is delighted to be joining the team with her passion to continue her safeguarding plight by helping to improve financial wellbeing through the delivery of our courses.

Joanne Symm (Market Harborough

Joanne Symm (Market Harborough

Joanne Symm (Market Harborough

Jo has 25 years’ experience working within the Primary Education Sector, as a Class Teacher, MFL specialist and Initial Teacher Trainee mentor. She currently leads on the Leicestershire MFL SCITT course and volunteers as a Civilian Instructor within the Market Harborough Sea Cadet Unit. Jo is passionate about working in partnership with

Jo has 25 years’ experience working within the Primary Education Sector, as a Class Teacher, MFL specialist and Initial Teacher Trainee mentor. She currently leads on the Leicestershire MFL SCITT course and volunteers as a Civilian Instructor within the Market Harborough Sea Cadet Unit. Jo is passionate about working in partnership with families and giving young people the opportunity to gain important life skills beyond the realms of the standard school curriculum. Whenever time allows, she enjoys reading, crafting, travelling or all three at the same time, in Benson the family motorhome and Langton her 60-foot canal boat.

Lou Ross (London)

Isabel Caetano da Rocha (Essex)

Jim Rastall (North-West)

Lou has 20 years experience of delivering workshops on a range of subjects. She's worked across the country in primary and secondary schools, SEND education and PRUs. She uses her background in acting to help engage her students. She's passionate about helping young people achieve their potential, particularly those who are care experienced or from working class backgrounds.

Jim Rastall (North-West)

Isabel Caetano da Rocha (Essex)

Jim Rastall (North-West)

Jim is a graduate of Nottingham University, The Bristol Old Vic Theatre School and Animas Centre for Coaching.

He has worked in the creative industries for 15 years, during which time he has acted on stage and screen alongside household names and national treasures, created plays that have been performed in London's West End and Internati

Jim is a graduate of Nottingham University, The Bristol Old Vic Theatre School and Animas Centre for Coaching.

He has worked in the creative industries for 15 years, during which time he has acted on stage and screen alongside household names and national treasures, created plays that have been performed in London's West End and Internationally, and coached multi-award winning actors.

As a facilitator Jim has worked within the arts, education and business. Whatever the context, Jim uses his upbeat brand of interactive engagement to bring the best out of every participant. He has led seminars and workshops for Three, Tesco, Thames Water, Accenture and Louis Vuitton, among others, and he's excited to bring this wealth of experience with him to WizeUp.

His own financial education started at age 6 when his grandad taught him about compound interest by drawing sums on the back of a napkin. Since then he's been an avid saver and investor, and is passionate about helping young people understand and tap into their ability to create and reach their financial goals.

Isabel Caetano da Rocha (Essex)

Isabel Caetano da Rocha (Essex)

Isabel Caetano da Rocha (Essex)

Isi is a purpose-led strategist and transformation leader with over 20 years of experience supporting boards and senior teams. As former COO and Managing Director of a $50bn investment division, she is known for leading major organizational change and driving sustainable growth.

Isabel now runs a consultancy she founded to help organizatio

Isi is a purpose-led strategist and transformation leader with over 20 years of experience supporting boards and senior teams. As former COO and Managing Director of a $50bn investment division, she is known for leading major organizational change and driving sustainable growth.

Isabel now runs a consultancy she founded to help organizations navigate moments of strategic change. She serves as a Trustee for Next Chapter Women’s Refuge, reflecting her belief in governance as a force for good.

A passionate advocate for inclusive leadership, Isabel launched Powerof10, a women’s support network, and has led initiatives to champion diverse voices in leadership. A published children’s author and accomplished musician, she is also an award-winning playwright whose work has been selected for London’s Criterion Theatre New Writing Program.

Emma Walford (London)

Michael Nelson-Langaigne (London & SEND)

Isabel Caetano da Rocha (Essex)

I’m passionate about supporting young people to feel confident in their learning and in themselves. My background spans studying Social Sciences, teaching and tutoring Maths, and developing a strong interest in wellbeing through yoga and mindfulness training. I enjoy breaking down tricky ideas into simple, engaging steps that help student

I’m passionate about supporting young people to feel confident in their learning and in themselves. My background spans studying Social Sciences, teaching and tutoring Maths, and developing a strong interest in wellbeing through yoga and mindfulness training. I enjoy breaking down tricky ideas into simple, engaging steps that help students feel capable and motivated. Joining WizeUp gives me the opportunity to combine my skills in education with my interest in personal growth, encouraging learners to build both knowledge and resilience.

Patrick Porter (SEND)

Michael Nelson-Langaigne (London & SEND)

Michael Nelson-Langaigne (London & SEND)

Having trained initially as an English teacher, I’ve had the pleasure of working in education for over 30 years in a variety of mainstream and specialist settings. I have experience in working in settings for young people with SEMH, ADHD and ASD. In mainstream schools I have been a special educational needs coordinator. I am always inter

Having trained initially as an English teacher, I’ve had the pleasure of working in education for over 30 years in a variety of mainstream and specialist settings. I have experience in working in settings for young people with SEMH, ADHD and ASD. In mainstream schools I have been a special educational needs coordinator. I am always interested in having the opportunity to explore new experiences in education. The work that WizeUp undertakes is increasingly important in promoting independence and success for young people.

Michael Nelson-Langaigne (London & SEND)

Michael Nelson-Langaigne (London & SEND)

Michael Nelson-Langaigne (London & SEND)

Michael Nelson-Langaigne is a dedicated and experienced education professional with over 20 years’ service working with children and young people across mainstream schools, specialist provisions, residential care, and community programmes. His career reflects a deep commitment to inclusive practice, safeguarding, and unlocking potential

Michael Nelson-Langaigne is a dedicated and experienced education professional with over 20 years’ service working with children and young people across mainstream schools, specialist provisions, residential care, and community programmes. His career reflects a deep commitment to inclusive practice, safeguarding, and unlocking potential in diverse educational contexts.

As a Headteacher for ten years, Michael led a specialist SEND provision to a Good Ofsted outcome, embedding a culture of high expectations, pastoral care, and trauma-informed approaches. At Beckmead College, he pioneered an Employability Programme aligned with the Gatsby Benchmarks, equipping students with real-world skills, meaningful work experience, and clear pathways into adulthood.

Michael’s leadership is shaped by frontline experience supporting children and young people with Social, Emotional and Mental Health (SEMH) needs. He holds a Postgraduate Certificate in SEMH from Oxford Brookes and the NPQEL (National Professional Qualification for Executive Leadership), underscoring his strategic capability and commitment to system-wide improvement.

Beyond formal education, Michael has worked in residential settings, supported transitions to independence, and coached young people through sport and mentoring. His approach is pastoral, practical, and aspirational—driven by a belief that every young person deserves the opportunity to thrive.