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

