Members

Morag Davis

Morag’s academic background is in film studies, and after studying at the University of Sussex and University of Kent, she completed her PGCE with the University of Huddersfield and has since accrued over twenty years’ experience as an outstanding teacher of A level and vocational education programmes in film, English and media. Having gained experience in a range of leadership positions, Morag is now Assistant Principal for Technical Curriculum at Nelson and Colne College Group, with responsibility for the college’s vocational and technical full-time programmes. Morag has raised the college’s national profile through the development and introduction of the new level 3 T level qualifications and has worked closely with the Department for Education on the development of the new level 2 Transition programme. She chairs the Lancashire Digital Routeway Network, a LEP and Gatsby-supported group aimed at developing sector-leading digital education across the county. Morag leads the pastoral provision across Nelson and Colne College Group and is a member on the local governing committee for a Pendle Education Trust secondary school. Morag is passionate about quality in education regularly presents nationally on technical curriculum development.

Ray Palin

Ray is a Fellow of the Institute of legal Executives having worked as a real estate lawyer in the legal profession for over 40 years.

Ray continues to work with a law firm on matters relating to compliance but has since 2010 worked with an academy conversion specialist based in the North West as a project lead assisting schools to set up or form part of Single or Multi-Academy Trusts. This involves working closely with the schools in understanding the procedures to set up the Trust, including preparing staffing lists and SLAs and contracts to transfer as well as supporting the Trusts Solicitors who they have instructed to deal with the legal work relating to the land.

Ray was until recently a Chair of Trustees with a Single Academy Trust and is on the Board of Members for a number of Multi Academy Trusts acting as an overseer and adviser to the Board of Trustees. Ray was part of school Governance for many years before standing down this year.

When he is not working, Ray is an avid follower of Liverpool FC and spends as much time as he can fishing for carp.

David Sweet

David Sweet, CEO of iQuila is a technology entrepreneur with over 25 years’ experience. David has held several roles across the technology spectrum, including programmer, network architect, design authority and CTO.

Throughout his career, David has designed and built several technology solutions including notable products within back-up (right of sale acquired by Russian firm in 2010) and remote access (right of sale acquired by UK firm Pinnacle PLC 2012.)

One of David’s previous businesses, an IT support company, Principality IT, provides on-site and remote support services to businesses and private and public schools across the UK.

Sara Britcliffe

As the former Member of Parliament for Hyndburn, Sara Britcliffe brings a high-level policy expertise and a lifelong commitment to East Lancashire. In the role, she successfully secured over £55m in local investment, including vital funding for school rebuild programmes and regional infrastructure.

During her tenure in Westminster, Sara served as Parliamentary Private Secretary (PPS) at the Department for Education during the critical pandemic years. In this capacity, she worked at the top level of government to coordinate with Number Ten, medical professionals, and education leaders to navigate an evolving public health environment and ensure policy clarity for schools. Following the pandemic, she lobbied for extensive investment into further and higher education, working closely with local stakeholders and businesses. Beyond the education sector, Sara has held senior roles as Deputy Chairman of the Conservative Party and PPS to the Foreign Secretary, Lord David Cameron, and the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Michael Gove. Her legislative experience spans housing, energy security, and healthcare reform, including successfully advocating for specialist maternal mental health units within the NHS.

Sara studied languages at the University of Manchester and graduated in September 2019.

Jenny Woodward

Jenny has been involved with education for the past 45 years, starting as a PE teacher in Kent. Having progressed through various roles, (Head of Department, Head of Faculty, Senior Teacher), the family moved to Lancashire in 2000 where she started working at Ribblesdale School as Exams Officer. In 2005, she set up a paper cup manufacturing unit in Clitheroe with her husband which ran until sold in July 2025. Her role within the company was HR and Accounts and they jointly ran the production unit.

During this period, she held several roles within primary and secondary schools as Governor and Chair of Governors. In March 2022, she took on the role of the newly formed LET Trust as Chair until July 2025.

Now retired, she is involved in carriage driving, enjoys photography and playing golf.