Meet the team

RIAZ SHAH, OBE

CHAIR, ONE DEGREE ACADEMY

Riaz is Professor of Practice for Innovation & Leadership at Hult International Business School. Until recently he was a Partner for 27 years at EY, where he served clients in Assurance and Technology Consulting and led various business units. His last role was Global Learning Leader, preparing EY’s 400,000+ people for the future of work.

With a keen interest in technology, education, and enterprise, Riaz is engaged in a portfolio of projects. These include collaborating with multiple governments on educational and entrepreneurial programs, conducting technology-related programs for senior executives in Silicon Valley, and serving as an advisor to Majoritas, an organization dedicated to the global advancement of democracy.

Riaz was inspired to set up the One Degree Academy by Adnan Jaffery, who set up the One Degree mentoring programme for GCSE students in North London.

Riaz studied at a comprehensive school in Luton’s Marsh Farm estate, Bradford University Management Centre and Harvard University. In the 2023, Riaz was recognised with an OBE for his services to education by HM King Charles.

HASSAN DAMLUJI

AUTHOR, SENIOR ADVISOR TO WHO AND GATES FOUNDATION & VICE-CHAIR OF ONE DEGREE ACADEMY

Hassan is a co-founder of Global Nation, a think/do-tank aimed at improving global cooperation. Global Nation advises the world’s leading development institutions and receives grant funding to pursue thought-leadership and build coalitions for a fairer international system.

He is a senior advisor to WHO, and as such is one of the strategic architects of the Berlin Pandemic Hub. He is also a senior advisor to the Gates Foundation, with afocus on the Middle East region, and global development finance advocacy.

Hassan spent a decade at the Gates Foundation, where he was Deputy Director forGlobal Policy and Advocacy, and served as the foundation’s envoy to the MiddleEast, Pakistan and East Asia.

He has written extensively about global development and politics. His first book, TheResponsible Globalist, was published by Penguin Allen Lane in 2019.

Hassan is currently a Visiting Senior Fellow in International Relations at the London School of Economics (LSE). He holds degrees from Oxford and Harvard.

JACOB KESTNER

EDUCATION ENTREPRENEUR & VICE CHAIR OF ONE DEGREE ACADEMY

Jacob is an education entrepreneur and a qualified teacher. He works on implementing innovation in education and over two decades has pursued a career in schools, universities, and executive education with leadership roles in corporate (Pearson, EF), startup (he launched a university partnerships business & another school, in Ireland, in addition to ODA) and non-profit enterprises around the world.

Jacob started his career as a teacher, joining Teach First’s second cohort in 2004 to teach history and politics in North London. He gets excited by good teaching and how learning works. Rosenshine, Hattie, Willingham - these cognitive scientists and educationalists are his rockstars!

Jacob attended a small state school in Hertfordshire, where fewer than 20% of his year went to University. He is married with two school-age daughters.

RACHAEL CURZONS

Rachael Curzons - Chief Commercial Officer - Foresight Data Machines

Rachael is an expert in social impact, education, and technology. She is also a qualified teacher. She is currently taking a break from a decade-long career in education to support the development and expansion of a climate technology business focused on reducing emissions in the steel industry.

Beginning her career as a secondary English teacher, Rachael then became the Director of Teaching and Learning at education non-profit, The Brilliant Club. During this time, she became interested in the transformative nature of technology for learning, and later worked for five years to build an education technology platform called Aula, which enables significantly better online learning experiences for university students across the UK and beyond.

Rachael is passionate about One Degree Academy’s vision to ensure all young people have access to a high-quality school experience that fully prepares them for university and their future lives.

JOY DONALDSON

SENIOR LECTURER - UNIVERSITY OF EAST LONDON

Joy is a Senior Lecturer at the University of East London on the Primary PGCE Programme. As a head teacher in Brent and as a school leader in different contexts, Joy has led the effective implementation of school centered, local and national initiatives. She has a wealth of experience and expertise in Primary education, and is committed to the values that underpin her professional conduct: the pursuit of excellence, leadership through innovation, the developing of a learning community for all stakeholders, and the fostering of local, national and international links.

Joy’s strategic vision is focused on creating a school culture wherein the spiritual, moral, social and emotional development of all stakeholders is understood and practically fostered while high standards and rigour are maintained. Joy oversees One Degree’s Safeguarding provision and also serves on the Educational Excellence committee.

CLIFFORD SACKS

Non Exec Director & CHAIR OF FINANCE AND AUDIT COMMITTEE

Cliff serves on various private and public boards as a non-executive director. Previously Cliff was a senior Partner with EY, the global professional services firm, where he was responsible for the EY Global Mergers and Acquisitions, Capital Debt Advisory and Infrastructure advisory services.  Cliff has spent his 35 year career in finance with Global Investment banks, advising clients on various aspects of corporate finance. 

Cliff attended a state school in South Africa and has a Bachelor of Commerce and Law degree from the University of the Witwatersrand in South Africa.

Cliff’s interest in Education stems from his wife Beanie’s 10 years in a volunteer teaching post at an inner city school for abandoned minors in Johannesburg. 

AIDAN SADGROVE

CEO, BRIGSHAW LEARNING PARTNERSHIP

Aidan Sadgrove was the Founding Principal of One Degree Academy.  He came into teaching in 2006 as a Teach First participant, teaching English at a large academy in North West London. Having relocated, he is currently the CEO of Brigshaw Learning Partnership, a multi academy trust in East Leeds.

Aidan is proud to have been the founding Principal of One Degree Academy. He has worked with various experts in education and is part of a national and international network of school leaders. Aidan regularly supports other schools nationally working alongside aligned partner schools like Reach Academy Feltham, and with organisations like The Coaching Collective.  

A firm believer in the transformative power of education, Aidan is thrilled to be supporting One Degree Academy and is excited about raising standards in North London and beyond.

ADEOLA SHYLLON

PARENT GOVERNOR 

Adeola Shyllon is a singer and songwriter, with a background in marketing. She has lived in the borough of Enfield since the age of 7 and is always interested in local community matters.

Adeola is a mother to three young boys, one of whom is currently in Reception at One Degree. She has previously volunteered with Enfield’s Youth Offending Unit as a community panel member, and she is passionate about music, sports and young people.

Adeola is fully supportive of the ethos of One Degree, and its overall objectives in raising the aspirations of children from a range of backgrounds and experiences

EMMA WILLIS

PARENT GOVERNOR 

Emma is an experienced senior leader, with a twenty-year career in healthcare regulation, where she has led large operational teams and been responsible for the setup of new services. She has a strong commitment to continuous improvement, particularly with a focus on improving peoples’ experience.

 Emma’s son started his reception year in One Degree Academy and he has been at ODA for several years.

 Emma is fully aligned to and supportive of ODA’s values and purpose.  She is passionate about reading and understanding its importance for our children, has volunteered weekly over the last couple of years in ODA, spending dedicated time with a number of children across ODA. In this small way, she hopes to be able to support our children to fulfil their potential.