Thanking Dame Julia

We are excited for our Trustee Meeting this week, but as we prepare we are missing Dame Julia Cleverdon DCVO, CBE who has stepped down as our Trustee to take up her new role as Chair of The National Lottery Community Fund.

 Since the Fair Education Alliance was founded over a decade ago, Dame Julia has been an unwavering source of support, challenge, and inspiration for every aspect of our work. Her passion and dedication to involving young people as co-leaders of our mission have been transformative, creating a lasting legacy that will continue to influence our efforts to put their voices at the heart of everything we do.  

 There is no one more skilled or energetic than Dame Julia for building connections, and she has introduced us to countless people, organisations, and initiatives across the country. True to her belief that “you’re either networking or you’re not working,” her introductions have profoundly impacted both the Fair Education Alliance and the broader community. She went out of her way to build networks, like hosting a wonderful dinner for our team and key stakeholders at home. Over her famous chicken pie and warm hospitality, she brought us together to reflect on our achievements and to look ahead to the future.

 Dame Julia, your remarkable contributions to the education system, from empowering young people to fostering collaboration, created a legacy we’ll continue to honour. We cannot wait to see what you will achieve in your new role, and we know that your leadership will inspire even more impactful change in the years ahead.

 Thank you for everything, Dame Julia. You’re truly one of a kind.