At the end of 2023, I established an Advisory Board to strengthen our organisation’s impact and direction.
- Their role is to support me (because practising what you preach matters!)
- Offer valuable insights from both within and beyond our profession
- Help guide decisions that maximise our positive influence
With their diverse background and wealth of experience, I’m delighted to introduce you to our Advisory Board.
Meet the Advisory Board…
Adam Bates
Adam works as an Empathic Closer, supporting people to transition into new, fulfilling careers.
Previous to this, he worked as Head of Research for a sustainability consultancy, and founded Ambigo – a non-profit company that brought together varying communities with the purpose of strengthening social cohesion.
Before that he was a sports broadcaster, commentating and reporting on some of the world’s biggest events including the Olympic Games, Grand Slam tennis and Champions League football.
He likes vegan cake and bourbon biscuits a bit too much.
He also happens to be my baby brother. On the Advisory Board, he plays a vital role of making sure that the number on resource of my organisation is sustainable – he looks after me.
Chris Towland
I have known Chris since I was 11 years old through various Amateur Dramatic groups in my hometown Burton-on-Trent. Somewhere there are some great photos of a panto in which I played the Wicked Witch and he was my Wolf!
Chris was the first business person that I ever really knew. Back before it was common, in the early 2000s, Chris left his accountancy job and started working from home and running his own online businesses in marketing and supporting local restaurants. He is the founder of Local Marketing Solutions. In the last few years Chris has been on the end of a phone and supported me with business advice and development, so when I formed my Advisory Board, he was one of the top people to ask.
Jyoti Jaspal, Director of Little Folks Day Nursery
Jyoti and I met at a conference weekend with one of our mutual coaches, Suzy Ashworth. After sharing with the room my mission and work, Jyoti enthusiastically grabbed me for a conversation.
With over 18 years of experience in the early years and school-age childcare sector, Jyoti leads several full-day care settings and before- and after-school clubs. A former Ofsted Inspector, she has been honoured with awards such as Business Woman of the Year SME (Forward Ladies, 2015) and the Nursery Business Development Award (NMT, 2020).
She has a strong background in HR – which is a vital support to me at ABE at this time. She has recruited and led more than 150 staff over the years, and is passionate about driving innovation, quality, and positive outcomes for children and families. As an advisory board member, she brings a wealth of practical knowledge, leadership insight, and commitment to best practice in the sector.
Lauren Burrows
Lauren brings ten years of experience in the field of monitoring, learning and evaluation, designing and implementing effective systems to measure impact in international and challenging environments. She also brings a strong commitment to inclusion, equity, and much like our work challenging oppressive systems that keep excluding the most vulnerable. Lauren met my brother Adam on a trip to Ghana back when they were 16 and has since worked around the world (Afghanistan, South Sudan, Syria) for organisations like the HALO Trust, Oxfam and Global Witness.
Lauren has recently got a puppy who is causing carnage in her life, loves to travel and plays netball.
Tara Loder
Originally from Canada, having worked in Germany, the US and the UK, Tara is one of the top Editorial Directors in Publishing across big five publishers such as Little Brown and Headline, as well as the UK’s fastest growing publisher. She’s worked on Sunday Times bestsellers, as well as chart topping digital bestsellers, and is experienced in taking a novel from an idea to a published masterpiece. She loves working with authors, those already published and those just starting out on their publishing journey.
On the Advisory Board Tara brings clarity, direction and care. She has an efficient vision that supports me greatly when I’m faffing.
Engage with challenging behaviour in your school and support staff effectively;
For Teaching Staff
Free Video Series: How to manage challenging behaviour in the classroom.
When you request these videos you’ll also receive emails and offers from Adele.
For Leaders & Policy Makers
Free Video Series: How to support teachers to manage challenging behaviour.
When you request these videos you’ll also receive emails and offers from Adele.
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On 6 March, we’re proud to attend and support our charity partner, Flourish Mentors as they host their first annual fundraiser, A Night to Flourish. Every ticket and donation moves them closer to their £10,000 goal.
Let’s Talk About Mental Health
Did you know that according to NHS 2024 data, more than one in three young women aged 16–24 live with a mental health condition—36.1%—twice the rate of their male peers? Flourish Mentors exists to respond to this urgent and often unmet need.
Our First Charity Partnership
Thank you so much to Adele Bates and your wonderful ABE community and team for welcoming Flourish Mentors as your first Charity Partner!


