Naseem Akhtar joined Esland as Education Director in June 2024. She leads the organisation's education provision, working closely with school leaders, staff and external partners to support positive outcomes for children and young people. Passionate about creating opportunities through education, Naseem is committed to ensuring students receive the support they need to engage, achieve and thrive.

My story at Esland

Hi, my name is Naseem Akhtar and I'm the Education Director at Esland. I joined the organisation in June 2024 after being encouraged to apply by people who already worked here and felt the values of Esland would resonate with me.

My journey so far

From the very beginning, what stood out to me was how child-centred Esland is. Everything we do is focused on achieving the best possible outcomes for children and young people, and I could see that our values weren't just words on a page, they were reflected in the decisions people made every day.

When I joined Esland, I had responsibility for three schools. During my time at Esland, I have supported the growth of our education provision, including our school in Shropshire, the development of the Esland Online School and the expansion of education services across the organisation.

What has kept me here is the measurable difference we make in children's lives. Seeing young people engage with education, build confidence and achieve things they may never have thought possible is incredibly rewarding. I have also grown as a leader through the support and trust I have received from colleagues across the business. Being empowered to make decisions and support others to do the same has strengthened my own leadership and confidence.

The art of the possible

No two days are the same in my role. One day I might be supporting school operations, meeting with school leaders, speaking with parents and carers, or working alongside organisations such as the Department for Education and Ofsted. The variety is something I really enjoy.

Although my role has a strategic focus, I still love opportunities to spend time with students and staff. Being involved in those moments and seeing the impact of our work first-hand reminds me why I chose a career in education.

What I enjoy most is the commitment shown by our teams. I am constantly impressed by the dedication, compassion and professionalism of colleagues across Esland. We are a solutions-focused organisation and I love that we embrace the art of the possible. No matter what challenges a young person faces, people work tirelessly to find ways to help them succeed.

For anyone considering an education leadership role, I would say always keep students at the heart of everything you do. If your focus is on helping young people access the support they need to re-engage with education and thrive, you will love the role.

Leading with boldness, kindness and curiosity

Since joining Esland, I have continued to develop both professionally and personally. One achievement I am particularly proud of is completing my Level 7 Leaders in Education qualification with Distinction through the Chartered Management Institute and becoming a Fellow of the CMI. I felt incredibly supported throughout the process and it is something I am very proud to have achieved.

All of the Esland values connect with me and, in truth, they were one of the reasons I joined the organisation. Bold stands out because of the ambition shown across our education services and the willingness to think differently in order to create opportunities for children and young people.

Kindness is also central to how I lead and work with others. It is a value I see demonstrated every day by colleagues across the organisation. Curiosity is fundamental to education, helping us continue to learn, grow and improve, while fun is an important reminder to celebrate success and enjoy the journey along the way.

A little more about me

Something people may be surprised to learn about me is that I am a grandmother to four amazing grandchildren.

Outside of work, I love reading and have done ever since I was a child. My love of books started with a collection of Enid Blyton stories and continues today with my own reading nook at home, where I can always be found with a good book.

I also like to think I'm the best cook in the world, although that might be a slight exaggeration. What I do know for certain is that I'm a better cook than my sister!

One thing that stands out to me at Esland is the way our education and clinical teams work together. Teamwork really does make the dream work. Whether supporting students with complex needs or helping them overcome barriers to learning, colleagues come together in a kind and caring way to make sure young people feel safe, heard and supported. Watching that happen every day is something I am incredibly proud to be part of.