The education system is demanding,
ever-changing, and the challenges are real.

Joanna Gledhill
Founder & Director

With 30 years in education, Joanna has spent her entire career working in inner-city schools, supporting communities facing high levels of deprivation and challenge. She served as Headteacher of an inner London primary school for six years, leading rapid and sustained improvement — transforming the school from Requires Improvement to Outstanding within two years, and was quoted by Ofsted as an being an 'exceptional leader'.

Passionate about the power of coaching to unlock potential, she founded Head First in 2018 with a clear mission: to help schools build cultures where staff feel supported, valued and able to thrive. Since then, she has developed a range of coaching programmes designed to support leaders and staff at every level.

She now works with schools and multi-academy trusts across the UK, supporting leaders to strengthen culture, develop people, and embed coaching as a driver for sustainable improvement.

Today, she leads a growing network of Head First Associates, all committed to strengthening leadership, empowering people, and creating schools where both staff and pupils can flourish.

Bob Benson

As Headteacher of an outstanding secondary school in the South East for 8 years, maintaining exceptionally high standards of education year-on-year, Bob often used effective coaching methods to help aspiring leaders in his own school and seeing the tangible impact on their development, wellbeing and career progression. His firm belief is that every leader, both current and aspiring should have a coach.

With almost 20 years’ experience in senior leadership positions in some of the highest performing schools in the South East and abroad, Bob is a certified AACT coach and an Associate with the Association for Coaching. He specialises in supporting and developing educational leaders at all levels, both personally and professionally and fully understands the requirements and pressures of leadership.

Bob currently also works as a School Improvement Partner and an ASCL Local Representative for South East England. Additionally, he chairs an In-Year Fair Access Panel in a disadvantaged coastal area and supports initial teacher trainees with the TES Institute. In his spare time Bob enjoys running, however his Couch to 5k took longer than anyone imagined!

Carole Hornsby

Carole has almost 30 years experience in education and was the former head of an Outstanding primary school, before becoming Education Director for Maritime Multi-Academy Trust, in London, where she supports a diverse range of schools, leading on school improvement.

Carole has a passion for coaching and thrives on supporting others. She is an accredited Olevi and BASICs coach, and also has a vast experience in mentoring and leading professional development.

Carole's other leadership qualifications include the NPQH and she has also led Challenge Partners and has an Ambition fellowship.

As a Head First Associate, she partners with educators and leaders to build leadership capacity, and foster thriving school coaching cultures.

Meic Griffiths

Meic Griffiths is Executive Headteacher of The Imperium Federation, London and led both its primary and secondary schools to Outstanding. He is also Co-Director of LeAFE Training Ltd and has a strong track record of supporting schools, trusts and local authorities to secure rapid and sustained improvement.

Known nationally and internationally for his work in behaviour, mental health and leadership, Meic has contributed to The Department for Education guidance, including the 2026 update on Restrictive Practice, and works with organisations such as TES, The Key and LGFL. He is a sought-after speaker and mentor across the UK and internationally.

An accredited Executive Coach and member of the EMCC, Meic supports leaders to drive meaningful change, strengthen their teams and improve outcomes for their communities.

As a Head First Associate, he works with educators to develop coaching practice and build cultures where people and teams can thrive.

Lisa Lazell

Lisa Lazell is Executive Headteacher of three London primary schools under The Ambition Federation, including leading two to Outstanding. A highly experienced school leader and EMCC Accredited Practitioner in Coaching and Leadership, Lisa has extensive expertise in supporting leaders through 1:1 coaching, group coaching, facilitation and leadership development across both education and other professional sectors, including law.

In 2020, Lisa was awarded The Award for Headteacher of the Year in a Primary School by the Pearson National Teaching Awards in recognition of her exceptional leadership and impact within education.

Alongside her executive leadership role, Lisa has led Action Learning groups, workshops and webinars focused on leadership development and supporting colleagues to navigate the challenges they are facing. She also draws on Transactional Analysis to support leaders with self-awareness, communication and managing difficult conversations.

Known for her reflective and relational approach, Lisa is passionate about helping leaders recognise patterns, strengthen confidence and create meaningful, sustainable growth within themselves and their teams. She is committed to maintaining high professional standards through ongoing supervision and continuous professional development.

Dave Marsh

Dave Marsh is Executive Headteacher across three schools and leads a regional hub of schools. An experienced executive leader, coach and mentor, Dave has extensive experience supporting leaders through coaching, mentoring and professional development across a wide range of educational settings.

He holds a Level 7 CMI Certificate in Executive Coaching and Mentoring and a Level 7 CMI Certificate in Strategic Management and Leadership Practice.

Dave’s coaching approach is grounded in reflective practice, professional challenge and building leadership capacity. He works with leaders at different stages of their careers to strengthen strategic thinking, navigate complexity and lead with clarity, confidence and authenticity.

Passionate about developing cultures where both staff and pupils can thrive, Dave brings a collaborative, values-driven approach focused on innovation, continuous improvement and sustainable professional growth.

Alongside his executive leadership role, he is Co-Chair of Governors at a school and a trustee for a children’s charity, reflecting his strong commitment to educational equity, leadership development and improving outcomes for young people and communities.

As a Head First Associate, he works with educators and leaders to strengthen coaching practice, develop leadership capacity and build thriving school cultures.