I have a dream...

✨ I have a dream for 2025. I have a big, scary, audacious dream...

I am inspired by leaders. I love 'chewing the fat' with my friends who are leading schools or trusts, and discussing the current challenges and inspiring each other to find innovative solutions. Even during the evenings and weekends, we inevitably find ourselves returning to our passion of school leadership (much to our partners' annoyance 😂 ).

When I was a Headteacher and Director of Education, I loved visiting other organisations, or attending local or regional networks which were all about promoting school and trust improvement. I was inspired by amazing school and trust leaders, for example Cheryl Weyman, Tracey Cleverly, Jo Evans FRSA Nicky Dunsford, Rachel Shaw, Matthew Shanks FCCT Dave Baker, Moira Marder.

I also loved to listen to and learn from system leaders like the amazing Leora Cruddas CBE, Hannah Woodhouse, Lucy Livings. Earlier on in my career, I was a national strategy consultant and often attended national and regional conferences led by some amazing and inspirational leaders.

Since becoming a self-employed coach and consultant, I don't have the same access to these networks. I miss the opportunity to listen to, and be inspired by leading speakers, or to mix with inspiring leaders. I don't have the same access to regional, trust-led and local authority events. This is worsened by the fact that I am based in Devon, and I have to travel long distances to events which I an attend.

I am also struggling to find networks that are focused on leadership development in my locality, that are accessible to all leaders, whether they are in education, or not. I figure that I can't be the only person who would relish the opportunity to join a network of other leaders in search of support and inspiration?

I am inspired by colleagues such as Hannah Wilson, Bennie Kara, Vivienne Porritt OBE FRSA and Ben Hobbis who have created special networks that are brilliantly serving communities of leaders and educators, such as Diverse Educators, WomenEd and Step Up Network.

So...

I am wondering about starting something new...

✨ An inclusive leadership network for female leaders (or leaders that identify as female) in Devon and Cornwall, whether in education or not.

🤔 What do you think? Am I mad?

I have always been fascinated by women in leadership, and empowering other women, and would hope that this could be an opportunity for women in Devon and Cornwall (or others who wished to travel) to lift each other up and inspire each other through their leadership journey.

So, I'm putting it out there...

🤔 Should I make this happen? (Or is there one already out there that I've missed?)

🤔 Have you got any ideas to make it successful?

🤔 Who wants to help?

🤔 Who's in?