Our Team

Our growing team of Associates are a mixed bunch, covering primary, secondary, special and MAT contexts. But they all have two things in common: experience in school leadership and expertise in PURE coaching.

Their personal experience of seeing the impact of coaching within their own roles has fuelled a desire to spread this positive approach to school colleagues far and wide.

Catherine Hulme

(Owner Director)

Catherine joined Leadership Edge as an Associate Coach in 2019 and became Owner/Director in 2022. A former secondary Assistant Headteacher (Teaching & Learning) and award-winning primary Governor, she also brings 10 years’ experience of working in the corporate sector, adding to her perspective on system-level leadership and organisational development. Catherine holds ILM Level 7 qualifications in both Executive Coaching and Coaching Supervision and is passionate about embedding empowering, ethical coaching conversations into the heart of school culture, to develop and sustain colleagues across the sector. After meeting her husband while at Durham University, she moved from Berkshire to Cheshire, where she is now a forever-learning parent in a neurospicy family, enjoying mini-breaks to North Wales and daily walks with her enormous bernedoodle!

Amanda Harrison

With extensive leadership experience, including two successful headships in large secondary schools serving challenging and diverse communities, Amanda’s career has been shaped by a deep commitment to school improvement, inclusive practice, and raising aspirations in complex settings. Drawing on insights gained through HMI and LA Advisor roles, she has specialised in helping colleagues navigate high-stakes, high-pressure environments, particularly where dysfunction or conflict in leadership teams may be impacting performance and culture. Now an ILM7 Executive Coach and Mentor, with an MPhil in Leadership and Management, Amanda is passionate about creating more authentic, courageous, and reflective leadership. Living in North Wales, Amanda loves spending time in the countryside with Mabel, the family dachshund and visiting tearooms along the Welsh coast for afternoon tea.

Amit Singh Kalley

Amit has ten years’ experience working in education as Head of Sixth Form and Assistant HT at one of the top performing non-selective schools in the UK, and Deputy HT at an inner city school in London. An ICF trained coach and with an adult diagnosis of ADHD, Amit loves working with colleagues who are aspirational and driven, especially those that are neurodiverse and/or from ethnic minority groups. He also supports parents to thrive at work and at home.

Carol May

Carol brings a wealth of knowledge, skill and energy to her work. A former Headteacher of a successful primary school, she experienced the power of coaching as she worked across the educational sector, supporting and developing ‘leadership at all levels’. Carol has a B.Phil in Educational Leadership and Consultancy, is a qualified ILM7 Executive Coach and Mentor, a Leadership Edge Lead Coach and is a member of EMCC. She has facilitated and coached on numerous NPQ programmes and led on the SENCO qualification for the University of Cumbria. Carol is committed to supporting leaders as they ‘hone the craft’ of coaching and embedding it across their organisational culture. She is a keen musician with a warm sense of humour and a lively approach to enjoying both the countryside and coastal regions of Cumbria.

Cazzie Jude

As a former Headteacher in both UK and international schools, Cazzie’s leadership experience spans start-up settings to through schools, with a particular passion for early years education. She now supports and inspires others in a wide variety of contexts, notably those navigating culturally diverse environments. She does this as a leadership coach, mentor, consultant, inspector, NPQ facilitator and governor. Cazzie holds an MEd (Leadership & Management) and an ILM7 in Executive Coaching. A values-driven leader, she always seeks to empower others and is especially committed to uplifting women in education leadership, co-hosting the podcast She Leads Because She Can. When she’s not coaching or visiting schools around the world, Cazzie enjoys cooking for family and friends and catching up with friends on her travels.

Chris Randall

Chris is passionate about education, having been a school leader and a Director of ITT. He started his coaching journey whilst a School Improvement Officer in Sandwell within a range of settings including Primary, Secondary and SEND. Recognising the important role coaching plays in CPD, wellbeing and mental health, he went on to gain a PGDip in Coaching and to support a range of teachers and leaders in challenging schools in the Black Country, culminating in the Directorship of a Teaching School Alliance. Now based in South Wales, Chris is an avid yoga practitioner and loves travel, walking, creative arts and cooking. He continues to work in schools to “make a difference”; following his mantra, “Speak to yourself like you would to a loved one”.

Dave Smith

Currently serving as a Headteacher in a secondary school in Walsall, David brings over 20 years of Senior Leader experience within three different schools. He has embedded a coaching culture in his own school using the Leadership Edge 3-Tier programme and remains committed to supporting all members of his school community to proactively engage in coaching conversations. David is a strong advocate for values-based, ethical leadership which has underpinned the growth and development of his own school and formed the basis for his approach when supporting others. David also has wide governance experience, being a member of the Lichfield Diocesan Board of Education and the West Midlands Regional Leader for the Church of England's National Secondary Leaders Network. Based in Wolverhampton, he’s a parent of two children and enjoys sport - particularly cricket and football - and regularly runs to keep fit.

David Perkins

David has been a primary Headteacher since January 2013, having previously worked as a Leading Maths Teacher, AST, Primary National Strategy Consultant, SLE and ELE in both primary and secondary contexts. David is a qualified professional and instructional coach, trained in both solution-focused and dilemma-based coaching techniques and has coached hundreds of leaders in a wide range of education settings across the UK, as well as corporate clients internationally. He is passionate about providing impactful coaching which leads to action, clarity and energy, facilitates professional growth and improves mental health. When time allows, David enjoys writing, walking and learning new languages - a work in progress, as the pupils in his school speak around 30 different languages!

Duncan Partridge

Prior to becoming a coach, Duncan’s career included Headship roles in schools in the UK and internationally, as well as Director of Education positions at two third-sector education organisations, including The English Speaking Union. Duncan applied this experience, along with his MA in International Education and ILM Coaching for Performance accreditation to author the book, Coaching for Educators, published by McGraw Hill in 2022. Duncan is now Co-chair of Governors at his local school in the London Borough of Ealing and maintains a keen interest in school cultures, particularly the ways in which effective leaders shape and nurture healthy and impactful learning environments. When not coaching, Duncan can often be found on a tennis court.

Harroop Sandhu

Harroop has 17 years of experience as a leader in various educational areas. She is an EMCC qualified coach, a DEI consultant and Assistant Principal at Harris Ockendon. Her passion lies in understanding human and organisational behaviour and providing support beyond the professional realm to acknowledge the unique needs of the individual.

James Kerfoot

Having been in senior leadership positions for 20 years, and successfully leading 4 schools across 12 years, James is currently an Executive Principal in Omega Multi Academy Trust. He holds an ILM Level 7 in Executive Coaching and has been a long-term advocate for coaching in both leadership and sport. James is a passionate leader who believes in the power of building strong teams who are relentless about changing lives for children in the most under-served areas of high deprivation. He has developed many leaders and is proud that 8 of his deputies have gone on to become strong Headteachers in the Northwest. He lives in Chester with his wife and two daughters and is passionate about Welsh rugby, travelling the world with his family, and is rarely without a book.

James Woodham

James trained as a coach while leading teams in creating digital educational content at the BBC. He is passionate about accessibility to education and has been a SEND link governor for 8 years and panellist at an NGA SEND conference. With a Masters in Coaching Psychology, he is an EMCC-accredited Senior Practitioner Coach and a Certified Team Coach. He coaches adults, children and young people in schools and a wide variety of other contexts. His experience of supporting leaders and teams within business, alongside his work in educational settings, means he is especially well-placed to work with colleagues in central Trust and other organisational roles, who are facing individual and systemic challenges. James enjoys walking in his local Peak District and exploring new places at home and abroad with his family.

Jan Rudge

As the Founder and former Director of Leadership Edge, Jan continues to be a highly valued member of our coaching team. She has vast experience in education leadership including as a primary headteacher, Educational Action Zone Lead and NCSL representative. A highly experienced leadership coach and co-author of Pure Coaching (2021), Jan holds a PG Diploma in Coaching, alongside certification in Conversational Intelligence. As an NPQ facilitator, Jan is especially passionate about developing aspiring senior leaders, helping them use creative problem-solving to work to their strengths, enhance communication, and lead with strategic clarity. A Black Country girl who escaped to the country, now based in rural Staffordshire, Jan stays grounded in school practice and challenges through, amongst other things, conversations with her daughter – a DHT and SENCO.

Jean Robinson

Jean is Level 7 coach and has coached over 60 Executive and Senior Leaders both individually and in teams. She facilitates and assesses on NPQs and has particular expertise in special schools and SEND. After 20 years in leadership roles, including as a consultant for the Specialist School and Academies Trust, she was recognised by Downing Street for Services to Education.

Justyn Waterman

Justyn joined the Leadership Edge team in the Spring of 2021. Prior to this, he spent 14 years as a primary school senior leader and teacher working in the state and private sectors. Justyn became a certified coach in 2020 through and has continued to build his experience with the ILM 7 Coaching Supervision qualification. His passion for coaching has supported school senior and middle leaders in developing clear thinking processes, as well as developing resilience and confidence in their own decision-making. He also loves to help coachees to build positive and strong mindsets. Music is Justyn’s other passion and he plays trombone regularly in a variety of music settings. He also teaches for Ealing music Service and enjoys conducting Wind and Brass Ensembles.

Katrina Batey

Katrina has almost 20 years of experience as a Primary school teacher and Deputy Headteacher. She is a certified Personal Performance Coach and trauma-informed Wellbeing Coach, with a Masters in Psychology and Neuroscience of Mental Health. Her passion is using coaching as a powerful vehicle for developing self-awareness, self-esteem and wellbeing.

Lorna Moore

Lorna has over 30 years experience working in secondary education including half of this time on Senior Leadership, as a Deputy Headteacher in two secondary schools and also as a primary school governor. Lorna became a Lead Coach with Leadership Edge as she established a coaching culture at one of our founding member schools, overseeing over 40 staff being accredited at Foundation Stage . Having now retired from teaching she is continuing work as a leadership coach at this school and is currently completing her ILM7 in Executive Coaching.

Mike Wilkes

Mike is an accredited Leadership Edge Master Coach and applies his expertise across a number of roles including with a local Teaching School Alliance, Secondary Fair Access Panel and as a school improvement consultant. Mike’s experience as a secondary school Deputy (Pastoral Care) and a Headteacher with 1200 on roll plus a Focus Provision for students with special needs, stimulates his continued interest in inclusion and safeguarding.

Seema Sethi

Seema’s experience as a passionate educator spans over 30 years; as a teacher, middle leader and DHT in inner city UK schools and International Schools. She holds a Level 7 in Executive and Leadership Coaching and is training to be a Time to Think Facilitator. Seema brings a wealth of experience in using coaching and theatre techniques when working within systems, with teams and with individuals. She is deeply committed to walking alongside her clients in their journey to insight and transformation. Having moved from India to London and finally settling back in Birmingham where she now lives with her husband and daughter, she enjoys working in her garden and home, escaping to destinations in Scotland and other exciting places where there is a sense of peace and serenity to reflect on the wonders of this amazing and complicated world we live in.

Sue Webb

As a passionate, lifelong educator and former headteacher, Sue also offers extensive experience in coaching - and has the immense privilege of having worked with many leaders and senior teams in schools over the last decade. Sue holds the esteemed ICF Professional Certified Coach (PCC) accreditation, ILM7 qualifications in both Executive Coaching and Coaching Supervision, and is certified in Systemic Team Coaching. Sue connects empathetically with the complex challenges educational leaders face, and builds coaching relationships based on trust, professionalism and a strong belief that her coachees are ‘creative, resourceful and whole’. Having recently made the move from Berkshire to Yorkshire, she now spends loads of time in t'hills and dales - enjoying the stunning natural environment of ‘God’s own county’.

Suneta Bagri

Suneta is a former Headteacher and School Improvement Advisor, specialising in SEMH and SEND. An award-winning coach, holding both Wellbeing Coaching and NLP Master Coach qualifications, she is also a certified Reflective Supervisor, First Aid for Mental Health Instructor and Accredited Mediator in both workplace conflict and SEND. Passionate about inclusive, reflective, strengths-based leadership, she brings insight and integrity to every relationship with her strategic mind and compassionate presence. Based in the West Midlands, Suneta is a proud mum to 3 children - one of whom lives with a rare genetic syndrome - and enjoys restorative walks with her two much-loved cavapoos. A devoted health enthusiast, she loves creating colourful, nourishing meals that are as fun to make as they are to eat.

Tamara Zaple Rolfs

Tamara has over 20 years of experience in education, with 8 as an Executive Headteacher serving communities facing high levels of deprivation. She is also an EAL specialist, a fellow of the Chartered College of Teaching and a long-standing school governor. Tamara holds an ICF Diploma in Personal Performance Coaching and is a certified Systemic Team Coach through the AoEC. Tamara is particularly passionate about authentic leadership and empowering teams to work well together - in schools and across trusts - to create long-term sustainable change to benefit the whole community. Based in Derby, Tamara loves walking in the countryside with her children and dog and connecting with others through meaningful conversation- this includes co-hosting a leadership podcast called Beyond the Status Quo.

Wendy Garrard

Wendy enjoys life and work, engaging with people from all walks of life. An ILM7 Senior Practitioner Coach, she is passionate about bringing a solution-focussed approach to leaders as they reflect on and tackle their challenges. A highly experienced Headteacher, Academy Principal, LLE and Consultant Leader for the NCSL, Wendy also enjoyed several years as PGCE & Partnership Tutor, Lecturer and Leadership Consultant at the University of Cambridge, and is proud to be a Fellow of Chartered College of Teaching. She has served several Dioceses - including as a Board Member in DEMAT - and provides leadership services for a range of other Diocese. Wendy enjoys travelling and frequently spends time in New Zealand and France. She is also a Trustee for Bright Start, an educational charity in South Africa, and visits whenever she can.

Laura Woodward - Operations & Administration

With over 15 years’ experience in business administration and having successfully run her own enterprise, Laura has a comprehensive understanding of what it takes to keep operations running smoothly behind the scenes. Known for her creativity, adaptability, and keen eye for detail, Laura thrives on ensuring every element is carefully considered and professionally delivered. Based in Lancashire, Laura recharges with a good book, cheering on her children from the sidelines, playing the piano, or capturing everyday magic through her camera lens.

Stephen Joseph - Media & Marketing

Stephen supports the Leadership Edge Associates with video content, website development, and creative design. With over a decade of experience in primary education, he now works across nine schools leading a small media team. A lifelong creative, Stephen has taught music, led musical theatre productions as MD, and continues to explore improvisational piano and expressive photography. His love of travel from a young age has shaped a broad and curious perspective, which he brings to all his creative work.