The Pearson Education Limited board

Valerie Todd CBE FCIPD

Valerie is a non-executive member of the Executive Committee of the Army Board. She has recently stepped down as the Talent & Resources Director at Crossrail Ltd where she was responsible for ensuring the project has the right people, in the right place at the right time. Prior to this Valerie was the managing director of group services at Transport for London.

Valerie chaired Investors in People from 2010 to 2018 and was instrumental in leading the UK’s premier brand for people management through a period of growth change and renewal.

She has also been a governor and board member at the University of West London and a trustee of the London transport Museum.

Between 2007 and 2016 she served as a government advisor on skills and employment as a Commissioner to the UK Commission for Employment and Skills.

Valerie has a BA (Hons) Degree, a MBA and was awarded an honorary Doctorate of the University of Derby.

Valerie was made Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) for services to skills, employment and the development of young people.

Sally Dicketts has held senior posts in both secondary schools and further education. She became Principal at Milton Keynes College in 1996, and in 2003 became the first Principal of Oxford & Cherwell Valley College.

In 2010, Oxford and Cherwell Valley College took over the responsibility for running Reading College and in 2013 set up a UTC in Reading. In 2013 she became the first Chief Executive of Activate Learning, bringing together in one group, three FE Colleges (Banbury & Bicester College, City of Oxford College and Reading College), three UTC’s (UTC Reading, UTC Oxfordshire and UTC Swindon), two 11-18 secondary schools, a studio school, a training provider delivering apprentices, training and consulting in the workplace and a specialist engineering training provider.

Sally is a tireless campaigner and advocate for the learning and skills sector. She is a board member of ETF, was a board member of AoC and AMiE. She chaired the Women’s leadership network and was the chair of the Employment committee of the AoC. Sally has chaired several other National committees which have ranged from Communications to the National Open College Network. She is a member of the Oxfordshire Management Club, All Souls Group and was a leading thinker for the National Education Trust. She sat for many years on the Oxfordshire LEP. Sally was awarded a CBE in the Queen’s Honours list in July 2013.

Her main area of interest is in how people learn, mindfulness and how to develop more entrepreneurial innovative individuals. She enjoys travel, cycling, Zumba and spending time with her partner and daughter.

John Laramy is Principal and Chief Executive of Exeter College, a position he has held since the beginning of April 2016. Prior to this John had been Vice Principal at the College since 2009; his background in quality improvement has supported the College's drive for excellence which was recognised in 2014 by an Outstanding rating in a full Ofsted inspection. John has extensive experience of the full academic and vocational curriculum for 16 to 19-year olds, including A Levels, IB, BTEC qualifications, Apprenticeships and Foundation Learning. Exeter College also offers a wide range of adult and community learning, Higher Education programmes and customised courses for businesses.

John is a former BTEC student, having completed both an Ordinary National Certificate and a Higher National Certificate. He is passionate about the impact of education and feels that, as a country, we need a renewed focus on technical, applied and vocational training.

John started his career in the construction industry and after teaching Karate in his spare time decided on a change. After undertaking a full-time PGCE at the University of Greenwich in 1996, whilst teaching part-time at North West Kent College, he started as a Lecturer at North Devon College in 1997, progressing through various roles to join the Senior Management Team in 2005. John has spoken nationally on Vocational Education and Quality Improvement.

John holds an MSc in Educational Leadership from the University of Leicester and is a full corporate member of the Chartered Institute of Building. He was the founding Chair of the Exeter Specialist Maths School, and is now a corporate member of the school’s Trust. John is also a corporate member of the Ted Wragg Multi-Academy Trust. At present the Trust oversees three secondary schools, a primary school and an all-through school.

Derek Richardson

Vice President and Senior Responsible Officer, Pearson UK

Derek was appointed Vice President and Senior Responsible Officer of Pearson UK in September 2017.

He is accountable for the successful delivery of qualifications both in the UK and internationally. He is Pearson's designated Responsible Officer to Ofqual, CCEA, Qualification Wales and SQA in relation to compliance with our conditions of recognition as an awarding organisation.

Derek has degrees from Teesside and Sussex Universities and his background over the last 18 years has been in educational assessment.

He started work in Edexcel’s A level English team as the curriculum 2000 reforms were being introduced and also holds a post as school governor.

He has held various posts within Pearson, most recently as Director for Qualification Development, Assessment & Awarding across GCSEs, A Levels, BTEC, Apprenticeships and International qualifications.