Our People
The EqualEd community is powered by volunteers. We’re a multi-skilled, diverse, global collective dedicated to achieving our mission. We come from all around the world, from a wide range of backgrounds and professions, working together to realise our shared vision.
Riz Ahmed
Founder and CEO
Riz is the former Chief Operating Officer and Chief Financial Officer of the world’s largest private schools group, GEMS Education.
He is also the Co-Founder of crowd funding platform SmartCrowd, democratising access to property for all, through fractional ownership.
He holds degrees and qualifications from UCL, Harvard Business School and Oxford University. He qualified as a Chartered Accountant with the Institute of Chartered Accountants of England and Wales, while working at PwC.
Our Board
Charles Walker
Board Member and Chief Operating Officer
Charles is a technology enthusiast interested in education, health and social innovation.
He sits on the advisory boards of technology business, Tribal Group, and mental health charity, the Be Free Campaign. He is also a trustee of NAPCE, a pastoral care charity for schools, and another large educational trust. Charles has previously served as a youth adviser in the UK Parliament and a school governor.
His academic background is in neuroscience and global health. He is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts and a Freeman of the Haberdashers’ Company.
Joe Odachowski
Board Member
Joe is a highly experienced attorney, with more than 30 years of legal practice under his belt. He co-founded law firm Taylor, Odachowski, Schmidt & Crossland, where he continues to serve as Managing Partner.
In addition to his legal work, Joe has been deeply committed to various Christian ministries, serving as a board member for several regional and national organisations. He has also provided representation and counsel to numerous international non-profits.
Joe holds degrees in law and finance and is licensed to practice law in Georgia. He is currently pursuing his Executive MBA at the University of Oxford.
Our Advisory
Board
We rely on expert advisors to support our mission and our development. We’re always on the lookout for different perspectives and expertise, so if you think you can add value, please contact us.
Lee Simpson
Branding and Strategy Expert
Lee Simpson is an award-winning CEO who led the turnaround at whiteGREY Australia, a creative technology agency (part of WPP). During his tenure, whiteGREY has been celebrated as a top 10 Agency in the Pacific, top 10 APAC agency for Effectiveness, Grand Prix winner for Effective Innovation and celebrated at the Fast Company Innovation by Design Awards. Most recently, whiteGREY was recognised on the 2022 Australian Financial Review Most Innovative Companies list (No.4 in Media and Marketing/No.1 Australian Creative Agency).
Simon O’Connor
Education Expert
Simon O’Connor is the Director of Deira International School and Chief of Education for the Al Futtaim Education Foundation.
Simon has over 25 years of experience in education including being the principal of multiple outstanding schools. He is currently studying for a Doctorate with the University of Buckingham, researching organisational culture in international schools.
Sara Hedger
Child Safeguarding Expert
Sara Hedger is a safeguarding and child protection specialist with 25 years of experience of safeguarding in education. She is the former Global Vice President of Safeguarding for one of the world’s leading and longest established K-12 private school providers, working with 85+ schools and 140,000 students worldwide to develop the highest international standards of safeguarding best practice.
Sara was a Headteacher in the UK and internationally for many years, and holds a Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership.
Noshaba Anbreen
Teacher Training Expert
Noshaba Anbreen is an Assistant Professor in Education and Academic Digital Lead at the University of Birmingham and pursuing a PhD in Teacher Education, with a focus on digital pedagogy.
Noshaba graduated with a BSc in Human Biology at the University of Birmingham before pursuing a career in teaching and completing a Master’s in Education
Ash Roots
Digital and Technology Expert
Ash Roots is a digital adviser specialising in digital marketing, data and technology transformation. He began his career in multimedia production, before becoming Director of Digital at Direct Line Group.
Since then, he has held a portfolio of Chief Digital Officer roles at some of the UK’s leading organisations including Currys plc, BT Group and the University of Exeter. Ash now works as a freelance consultant and sits on the Technology Committee for Citizens Advice.
Richard Human
Online Learning Expert
Richard began his career as a primary school teacher in Kenya and the UK. He has since worked in a range of settings, including as a Senior Leader at The British School in The Netherlands.
An expert in online teaching and learning, he has delivered lessons for students around in the world, including Hungary and Ukraine.
In 2019, Richard gave a TED talk on ‘Small Steps to Change the World’. He was a Founding Fellow of the Chartered College of Teaching and holds an MBA in Education Leadership.
Our Comms Team
We tell and share EqualEd’s story. To stay up to date with what’s happening, read our news and blogs, and follow us on social media. Get in touch for help with spokespeople requests, and communications and media enquiries.
Natasha Dodds
Head of Communications
Natasha, a CIPR member, has delivered successful campaigns and everyday communications that inform, engage, and inspire for 20 years. She’s worked for public, private and not-for-profit employers. In sectors that range from telecoms and newspapers to electrical and gas safety, and outsourcing and property, to homes and education.
An aspiring writer, Natasha hopes to publish a novel one day. For now, she’s enjoying consulting and working with organisations like EqualEd to make a difference to people’s lives.
James Knill-Williamson
Social Media Manager
James has over six years of experience generating results for start-up and multinational corporations. Specialising in developing strategies for social media and marketing campaigns.
During the pandemic, as an independent film critic, James was interviewed by the BBC to discuss the importance of cinema reopening safely to provide children and adolescents with solace and escapism.”
Liam Springate-Jones
Copywriter
Liam has over five years of experience in copywriting and content marketing, delivering engaging and informative content to companies primarily in the B2B sector. He has collaborated with many clients through his agency roles.
He enjoys working with organisations to help promote their brand and services and to deliver the right messages to the target audience.
Our strategic partners
At EqualEd, we recognise that creating a world without learning poverty is a
collective effort and therefore we partner with organisations that share our
values in order to achieve our mission.
whiteGREY
Branding & Strategy
Technology
How to get involved
Become part of the movement to end learning poverty
