The people behind Kaleidoscope
We bring together expertise in education, research, lived experience, data, technology, organisational development and implementation.
Our different perspectives help us see more of the picture—and build work that is rigorous, useful and human.
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Nic founded Kaleidoscope to change how organisations understand inclusion. As a child who should have been recognised as disadvantaged but was not, she understands personally how easily people’s needs and experiences can remain hidden within the systems around them.
Drawing on 25 years across teaching, leadership, research, policy and technology, Nic now advises on education policy internationally and leads Kaleidoscope’s research, methodology and impact work. An award-winning educator, researcher, author and EdTech founder, she developed Kaleidoscopic Data™ through her doctoral research to reveal what conventional data can miss and turn lived experience into meaningful evidence for change.
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Tom works across Kaleidoscope’s strategy, development and innovation. His experience in education, youth mental health, organisational psychology and research has shaped his belief that understanding a system means understanding how it is experienced by the people within it.
He is particularly interested in turning evidence into practical change and ensuring that the people most easily overlooked are visible in the decisions that affect them. Tom is also a PhD researcher at the University of Galway.
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Gem leads the operational development and long-term sustainability of Kaleidoscope. She connects people, partnerships and processes, creating the structure needed to turn ambitious ideas into purposeful and deliverable work.
Having attended boarding school from a young age, and now raising young children of her own, Gem understands how profoundly our environments and relationships can shape whether we feel safe, supported and connected. These experiences underpin her commitment to building an organisation that is not only effective and sustainable, but caring, human and true to its values.
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Ryan leads Kaleidoscope’s work across data, artificial intelligence and responsible technical innovation. Driven by the core philosophy that we can either lead technology forward in our organisations or be led by it, Ryan helps Kaleidoscope to leverage data structure and AI technology to drive its mission forward and create a more equitable world for all learners.
Ryan Tannenbaum is an educational consultant who specialises in data, data-driven culture, and pedagogically grounded technical implementations for schools.
He began his career teaching in international schools throughout Asia. Over more than a decade working as a teacher, principal, and IT director, he founded For.Education, a company that provides schools with data and AI solutions.
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Omotola Shogunle is a Senior Software Engineer with expertise in frontend development, accessible interfaces and design systems, alongside experience in backend development.
Her work focuses on making complex digital experiences intuitive and easy to use. She brings technical depth and a practical approach to problem-solving, with a particular interest in how technology can help people access information, connect with ideas and turn knowledge into action.
Omotola supports the reliable, accessible use of Kaleidoscope’s technology and the experience of Partners using the Platform.
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Liv works with Kaleidoscope’s partner Local Authorities, Trusts and individual state and independent schools to understand, engage with and support their needs. Her teaching experience spans education across the UK and internationally, working across both state and private sectors and engaging with a wide range of stakeholders. She has led departments within secondary schools, with a particular interest in research, engagement and creating meaningful connections.
Originally from Northern Ireland, Liv understands the importance of integration, connection and respect in creating safe, healthy and inclusive environments where everyone can thrive.
Advisory Board
Independent insight. Constructive challenge. Shared ambition.
The Kaleidoscope Advisory Board brings together experienced leaders, researchers, practitioners and change makers who share our commitment to more inclusive systems.
Members advise Kaleidoscope’s Directors, offer constructive challenge and contribute specialist perspectives as our research, learning, innovation and impact work develops.
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Gerry is Professor of Education and programme leader for the Professional Doctorate in Education (EdD) at University of East London. He is Vice President of the British Educational Research Association (BERA), Lead Editor of the BERA Blog and a former Chair of the British Curriculum Forum.
His current (published) research interests include Teaching and Learning, Student Voice, Doctoral Studies, the identities and professional development of teachers and teacher educators, and prison education.
Gerry holds a National Teaching Fellowship and Principal Fellowship from the Higher Education Academy (now AdvanceHE).
He reviews for a wide range of educational journals (including the European Journal of Teacher Education and the Journal of Education Policy) and for major book publishers including McGraw Hill, SAGE, OUP, Routledge and Emerald.
He regularly examines doctoral theses for universities both within and outside the UK and is an External Examiner for EdDs (Professional Doctorates in Education).
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Margaret Mulholland is an inclusion consultant, policy specialist and regular commentator in the education press. Margaret is an Honorary Norham Fellow at the Department of Education, University of Oxford. She is currently SEND policy lead for the Association of School & College Leaders, sits on the SEND Advisory Board for Challenge Partners and Whole Education and is a regular contributor to TES. Margaret works with schools and trusts across the UK to support inclusive school improvement.
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Al Kingsley MBE is a bestselling author & speaker on all things Education and technology. He is Chair of a Multi-Academy Trust and has previously chaired Alternative provision, Specialist provision, and all-through Academies. In addition to being a 30-year EdTech CEO and sector veteran, Al also chairs his region’s SEND Board, sits on the Regional Schools Directors Advisory Board for the East of England and is Chair of the British Educational Suppliers Association EdTech Group.
He’s a well-known face in EdTech around the world; author of bestselling "My Secret #EdTech Diary", "My School Governance Handbook", “My School & Multi Academy Trust Growth Guide”, plus his most recent book "The Awkward Questions in Education". Al writes and speaks internationally on the education landscape, including as a Forbes Technology Council Member.
Al was awarded the honour of "Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE)" by His Majesty the King in his 2025 New Year's Honours list for services to education. He was also named a 2025 ISC Research "Edruptor" (International Education Influencer), 2025 Education Today "Outstanding Contribution" award and as Edufuturist of the Year for 2023, and most recently the 2026 ISTE "Make IT Happen" award winner.
He continues to support schools, conferences and vendors with consulting and mentoring – as well as writing and speaking for the wider education community and advocating for broader system reform.
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Matt is a former teacher and CEO of Learning Ladders Education, a mission-driven EdTech platform that improves school assessment data management and parental involvement in learning for International Schools.
Learning Ladders works with International and Independent Schools from Early Years to KS3, and has been named ‘The Best System for Whole-School Assessment, Planning and Reporting’ 3 times in the last 5 years at the industry’s BETT (British Education and Teaching Technology) Awards.
Matt is Chair of Trustees at the attendance charity School Home Support, and Chair of Governors at a local school. Until recently for 9 years he served on the British Educational Suppliers Association (BESA) Executive Council, most recently as Chair of the EdTech Special Interest Group and then as Vice Chair.
He has 2 children at Primary School, and lives in the New Forest in the south of England.
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Andy Nuttall is a strategy consultant, entrepreneur and Founder and Chair of Well Windsor, a charity focused on improving children’s mental wellbeing through a combination of education, community action and data-led insight.
He has spent more than 25 years working across technology and telecommunications, helping businesses develop strategy, launch new propositions and scale across the UK, Europe and the US. He has also founded and advised start-ups and now runs his own strategy consultancy.
Through Well Windsor, Andy has increasingly focused on the intersection of education, wellbeing and data. The charity works across schools and the wider community, using national and local datasets alongside frontline insight to understand what shapes children’s wellbeing, identify gaps and target action where it can have the greatest impact.
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Daniel Sobel is the Founder and Chair of the International Forums of Inclusion Practitioners (IFIP) and an internationally recognised authority, author, and keynote speaker in inclusive education and AI in education.
IFIP is a global network spanning 146 countries, advancing inclusive education through professional learning, policy development, and international collaboration. Its flagship
Global Inclusive Teaching Initiative (GITI) is now implemented in more than 70 countries, equipping educators with evidence-based strategies to strengthen inclusive practice and improve outcomes for all learners.
Daniel has advised governments around the world on inclusive education policy and leads international councils supporting the work of UN bodies. Through IFIP, he works with leading international organisations, including UNESCO and the European Union, developing partnerships, supporting policy dialogue, and facilitating the exchange of knowledge and best practice across education systems.
He has delivered keynote presentations, lectures, and professional learning programmes in more than 100 countries. Daniel is the author of three best-selling books, including The Inclusive Classroom, and has published more than 100 articles on education. He also developed the Master’s programme in Inclusive Educational Leadership at the University of Buckingham.
Through his writing, speaking, research, and international leadership, Daniel continues to shape the conversation around inclusive education, influencing policy and practice and supporting educators and education systems to create more equitable, inclusive, and effective learning environments for all.
How the Board works
Advisory Board members meet with Kaleidoscope, through the year, either individually or as a group.
We identify areas where their experience can add particular value while remaining open to shaping each relationship around their expertise, interests and schedule.
The Board is advisory. Strategic and operational responsibility remains with Kaleidoscope’s Directors.