Steve Barker - Meet the team

Steve Barker

Head of Governance Training

Steve brings over three decades of experience in school governance across all phases of education, with a national reputation for leadership, insight, and sector influence.

With more than 30 years’ experience as a governor and trustee, Steve currently serves as Chair of Trustees in an academy trust, Chair of an infant school governing body, and a Member of a ten-school multi-academy trust. He is a former Ofsted Lay Inspector and was appointed as a National Leader of Governance (NLG) and NLG Advocate by the National College for Teaching and Leadership. As part of a small national group, he helped develop and pilot the External Reviews of Governance programme, leading the first-ever External Review in 2013. Between 2010 and 2013, he also served on the Department for Education Advisory Group on Governance.

A prolific writer and facilitator of governance training for over twenty years, Steve has supported boards and leaders nationwide. He is the Founder and lead of National School Governors’ Awareness Day, Vice-Chair of the National Association of Governance Advisory Services (NAGAS), and former Chair of the London Association of Governance Advisory Services (LAGAS), remaining an active member of SEAGAS. He regularly publishes in sector-specific education publications, leads governance “sofa sessions,” and facilitates webinars for Governors for Schools. Alongside his professional roles, Steve also chairs a children’s charity, reflecting his enduring commitment to supporting children and young people through strong and effective governance.