Associates2

Meet our Team of Associates

There’s a breadth of experience and expertise here at ECM. We have serving inspectors, as well as those with extensive inspection experience, including ex-HMIs, headteachers, and ex-heads, with a range of skills in schools of varied backgrounds, as well as trained coaches and experts in safeguarding, disadvantaged pupils, curriculum, attendance, and assessment. All skilled in listening and supporting.

We can help you find the right person for you and your school. Contact us to discuss our SIPs, read pen portraits, and meet them beforehand to help you choose who to work with.

Our Team

Our team consists of highly qualified and motivated professionals, who are all experts in their field with many years of experience in the industry. You can find out more about our associates in our brochure below.

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School Improvement Partners: Primary Specialists

Paul Ackers

School Improvement Partner 
Primary Specialist

Cassie Blackwood

School Improvement Partner 
Primary Specialist & Early Years Consultant

Julie Cheung

School Improvement Partner 
Primary Specialist

Cath Cooke

School Improvement Partner 
Primary Specialist

Mike Dixon

School Improvement Partner 
Primary Specialist

Lesley Else

School Improvement Partner 
Primary Specialist & Early Years Consultant

John Evans

School Improvement Partner 
Primary Specialist & ECM Director

Abigail Fielden

School Improvement Partner 
Primary Specialist 

Michael Gaskill

School Improvement Partner 
Primary Specialist

Vicki Guest

School Improvement Partner 
Primary Specialist

Katie Hague

School Improvement Partner 
Primary Specialist & Early Years Consultant

Lisa Hesmondhalgh

School Improvement Partner 
Primary Specialist

James Marsh

School Improvement Partner 
Primary Specialist

Collette Mather

School Improvement Partner 
Primary Specialist

Mylene McGuire

School Improvement Partner 
Primary Specialist

Kate Hurley

School Improvement Partner 
Independent Specialist

Karen Morris

School Improvement Partner 
Primary Specialist

Mark Mullin

School Improvement Partner 
Primary Specialist & ECM Director

Kevan Naughton

School Improvement Partner 
Primary Specialist

Tim Nelson

School Improvement Partner 
Primary Specialist

Kathy Nichol

School Improvement Partner 
Primary Specialist.

Dave Paton

School Improvement Partner 
Primary Specialist

Nikki Patel

School Improvement Partner 
Primary Specialist

Ray Rudd

School Improvement Partner 
Primary Specialist
Available from 01/09/2026

Gillian Talbot

School Improvement Partner 
Primary Specialist

Colin Watson

School Improvement Partner 
Primary Specialist

Jeanette Westhead

School Improvement Partner 
Primary Specialist

Wendy Wheldon

School Improvement Partner 
Primary Specialist

School Improvement Partners: Secondary Specialists

Ray Biglin

School Improvement Partner 
Secondary Specialist

Tony Birch

School Improvement Partner 
Secondary Specialist

Paul Buckland

School Improvement Partner 
Secondary Specialist

Alan Taylor-Bennett

School Improvement Partner 
Secondary Specialist

School Improvement Partners: SEND Specialists

Jude Lomas

School Improvement Partner 
SEND Specialist

Steve Lowe

School Improvement Partner 
SEND Specialist

Early Years Consultants

Cassie Blackwood

School Improvement Partner 
Primary Specialist & Early Years Consultant

Lesley Else

School Improvement Partner 
Primary Specialist & Early Years Consultant

Katie Hague

School Improvement Partner 
Primary Specialist & Early Years Consultant

Wendy Wheldon

School Improvement Partner 
Primary Specialist & Early Years Consultant

English & Science Consultants

Emma Caulfield

English Consultant

Donna Harris

Science Consultant

Trainers

Oliver McPhail

Trainer

Julie Hurst

Psychologist, Coach and Trainer

Our Team's Values

Integrity

Our team embodies honesty, ethical practices, and a commitment to delivering on promises, ensuring trust in every partnership.

Collaboration

We believe in the power of teamwork, valuing each other’s strengths and fostering open communication to achieve shared goals.

Innovation

We are always looking for new and creative approaches to challenges, ensuring that our solutions are forward-thinking and impactful.

Excellence

With a relentless focus on quality, we deliver top-tier services and ensure the best outcomes for the schools and organisations we work with.

“I have been the Headteacher of Lostock Primary School for ten years. We have always had a close relationship with ECM and have accessed their training packages throughout this time. ECM training has supported the school in writing succinct, evaluative self-evaluation summaries and in developing the school impact plans. ECM training courses for all staff, both in person and online, have been strategically planned to ensure maximum impact on staff knowledge and expertise, resulting in strong pupil outcomes and success in achieving school priorities and objectives year after year.“

Vicki Guest | Headteacher at Lostock Primary School 

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