Jacqueline Baxter talks to Gill Howland, newly appointed Chair of BELMAS

Abstract

Gill is currently Chair of the British Educational Leadership, Management and Administration Society. Her personal experiences are central to her belief that education is the key to unlocking potential, both for individuals and for society as a whole. Throughout her career she has championed the right to good quality, inspirational education for all. She has always chosen to work in areas of multiple disadvantage and has a track record in working with schools, colleges and universities to improve leadership, learning and achievement. She has extensive experience in strategic leadership across the compulsory education sector as well as in further and higher education. Her leadership roles have included Local Authority Chief Education Adviser, Executive Director in two West Midlands Learning and Skills Councils and Executive Pro Vice Chancellor (Academic) in a large modern university. She has directed and engaged in various research projects, mainly in the area of 14-19 education and was a member of the (Labour) Government’s 14-19 External Advisory group. As a strong supporter of educational collaboration she has led a number of Local Authority wide collaborative developments. With extensive board experience her roles have included: Deputy Chair of CILT, the National Centre for Languages; Chair of the YMCA’s national training organisation and board member of YMCA North Staffordshire.