System Leadership for Equity: Trusts, Strategy, and the Future of Education | Leora Cruddas CBE

What does it take to lead a school trust as a civic institution, rooted in place and responsible for the whole community it serves?

In this episode of Voices in Education, Showbie's Vice President of Learning, Abdul Chohan, speaks with Leora Cruddas CBE, Chief Executive of the Confederation of School Trusts, about her journey from teaching in apartheid-era South Africa to shaping trust leadership across England.

They discuss what a school trust actually is and how its role differs from Ofsted's, the case for putting dignity rather than deficit at the heart of SEND reform, and why genuine school improvement depends on strong, evidence-informed professional development for teachers.

The conversation also explores the idea of flourishing, for pupils and for the adults who teach them, the responsibility of trusts to act as civic leaders within their communities, and the principles that should guide trusts as they navigate AI and digital transformation.

Abdul Chohan

Vice President of Education Strategy at Showbie

Abdul Chohan is a recognised leader in educational technology transformation. With 20 years of experience as a teacher, school founder, and Multi Academy Trust CEO, Abdul has helped thousands of educators successfully implement digital strategies that deliver both operational efficiencies and improved outcomes for learners.

Leora Cruddas CBE

Chief Executive of the Confederation of School Trusts

Leora Cruddas CBE is the founding Chief Executive of the Confederation of School Trusts, the national organisation and sector body for school trusts in England. She is an English teacher by background and has a long history of working in local government.