About nEdEx | Network for Education Excellence

OUR MISSION

Putting Trust and School Leaders at the Heart of Real Change

"Hi, I'm Jen Elliott, Chair of nEdEx and CEO of EPM. Having spent 30 years in the education sector, I am proud to have established a network that puts trust and school leaders at the heart of real change. This isn't just another group; it's a growing community of people who care deeply about education and want to do things differently. Whether you're here to connect, learn, or lead, we're excited to have you with us."

Become a Member

Through nEdEx - Best practice is shared, Challenges are openly discussed, Success is celebrated.

Through nEdEx - Best practice is shared, Challenges are openly discussed, Success is celebrated.

COMMUNITY & LEADERSHIP

An Independent Space Where Leaders & Organisations Connect

"Hi, I'm Matt McDermott, Head of Community at nEdEx. I've spent years working with trust and school leaders, and I know how powerful it is when great people connect. That's exactly why we built nEdEx: a free, independent space where leaders and organisations can share ideas, spark partnerships, and push education forward together."

From our National Education Leaders Conference and parliamentary roundtables at the House of Commons to the annual School & Trust Leadership Awards and the new 'Education Places to Work' employer certification, nEdEx is grounded in reality, not rhetoric.

Conferences & Roundtables

180+

Trusts

Multi-Academy Trusts represented across the national nEdEx network.

1,700+

Schools

Primary, Secondary and Special schools connected through nEdEx.

100%

Free for Leaders

All membership benefits and national conferences are free for School, Trust and LA leaders.

13

Advisory Board

Steered by serving MAT CEOs, CFOOs, and Executive Headteachers.

WHAT WE DELIVER

Core Pillars of the nEdEx Network

National Conferences

Free-to-attend national conferences for School, Trust and LA leaders featuring MAT CEO keynotes and practical workshops.

House of Commons Roundtables

Executive roundtable lunches and dinners hosted in Westminster and regionally for Trust Leaders.

Leadership Awards

The annual School & Trust Leadership Awards at Stadium MK celebrating excellence across 15 categories.

Education Places to Work

Exclusive-to-education employer certification recognising top Schools and Multi-Academy Trusts.

LEADERSHIP & ADVISORY BOARD

Led by Sector Practitioners

Jen Elliott

Jen Elliott

Chair of Advisory Board, nEdEx & CEO, EPM

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Matt McDermott

Matt McDermott

Head of Community, nEdEx

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Nick Osborne

Nick Osborne

CEO, Maritime Academy Trust

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Carla Whelan

Carla Whelan

CEO, Empower MAT

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THE NEDEX HUB

Advisory Board Insights & Event Recaps

Advisory Board Article: Navigating 2026

Advisory Board Article: Navigating 2026

Navigating Financial Sustainability, Workforce Pressures and Opportunity in 2026

Leading with clarity, collaboration and moral purpose in a year of system pressure. Contributions from Carla Whelan (Empower MAT), Sash Hamidi (Pegasus Partnership Trust), Colette Firth (Spirit Federation), Howard Nelson (Keys Academies Trust), and Nick Osborne (Maritime Academy Trust).

Ofsted Framework & HR Readiness

Ofsted Framework & HR Readiness

nEdEx Advisory Board Response to Ofsted's New Education Inspection Framework

Executive summary and HR & People Readiness Checklist from Jen Elliott (Chair of nEdEx & CEO of EPM) on Ofsted's shift from single-word judgments to a multi-area scorecard elevating staff wellbeing, inclusion, and leadership culture.

The Education Leaders Conference

The Education Leaders Conference

Vision, Culture, Courage & Collaboration Over Competition

More than 100 education leaders came together in Milton Keynes for the debut nEdEx conference chaired by Jen Elliott, featuring keynotes from Sash Hamidi (Pegasus Partnership Trust), Rowena Hackwood (Astrea Academy Trust), and Adrian Rogers.

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JOIN THE NETWORK

Become a Member or Supporting Partner

Membership is completely free for leaders across Trusts, Schools and Local Authorities (180+ Trusts and 1,700+ Schools). Trusted education suppliers can also enquire to join as a Supporting Partner for 2026/27.

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