Our Staff

Lisa Fathers

Director of Education & Partnerships / Bright Futures Educational Trust Executive Team

Lisa is the Director of Education & Partnerships and part of the Executive Team at Bright Futures Educational Trust, a Multi Academy Trust in the North West. She has had over 20 years’ experience in education, both as a teacher and in a variety of senior leadership positions including Associate Headteacher and Co-Principal.

Lisa is now an executive leader, serving on the Executive Leadership Team for Bright Futures. She also provides strategic leadership for the Bright Futures Professional Development Institute, which includes two large-scale Teaching School Hubs, a Maths Hub, a SCITT (School Centred Initial Teacher Training), SEND Outreach, NW Early Years Hub and the Alliance for Learning which provides school and teacher development across the region. Lisa co-leads school improvement work for the Trust as well as leading Communications and Development.

Her particular areas of expertise and passion are change leadership, coaching theory and practice, wellbeing and partnership working. Lisa has coached and supported leaders at all levels and leads on partnership working for the Trust, working alongside organisations such as Teach First, Ambition Institute, the Youth Sport Trust, the Chartered College, and Mental Health First Aid England. She represents Education on the Greater Manchester Reform Board and the executive level Strategic Health and Wellbeing Board and has many Governance roles such as Co-Chair for Greater Manchester’s Mental Health in Education Board and the Chair for the national Well Schools Board.

Lisa is also part of the national training team for Mental Health First Aid England.  She was instrumental in the highly successful and ground-breaking Greater Manchester Mentally Healthy Schools Programme and is a Fellow at the Chartered College of Teaching. Lisa is a champion of collaboration and whole system working across Greater Manchester, the wider North West region and nationally.

Rachel Redmond

Commercial Manager

Rachel has worked within education for over 15 years, predominately working with groups of schools across the country.  Rachel has recently moved from the children’s Charity, The Youth Sport Trust where she was National Development Manager working with managers across the country to improve educational outcomes for children and young people through PE, School Sport and Physical Activity.

As the Commercial Manager at Bright Futures, Rachel plays a role in identifying, cultivating and securing new business, as well as managing existing work streams. Rachel’s role is to lead the business and commercial services of the Professional Development Institute.

Claire Critchley

Operations & Engagement Manager

Claire is the Operations and Engagement Manager across the Professional Development Institute responsible for brand growth and maximising operational excellence.

As a seasoned professional, Claire has over 20 years diverse experience in marketing & communications, event management and operational logistics within the commercial and education sectors.

Claire has a key role both strategically and operationally developing and maintaining relationships with stakeholders, developing and implementing processes and procedures to improve and execute operational efficiency.

Rachel Potts

CPD Coordinator

Rachel has worked within education for over 10 years in teaching positions and joined Bright Futures in 2021 as our CPD Coordinator. She is responsible for the Alliance for Learning courses and bookings and prior to working with us, Rachel was a primary school teacher in various schools across Greater Manchester.

Rachel’s role is pivotal to the growth and development of Bright Futures Training by providing an excellent customer journey to all stakeholders.