Spring Member Welcome Day

Sam Butter, Membership Manager, BESA

Sam is dedicated to driving growth and engagement across BESA’s diverse membership community. With 10 years of experience in membership services, Sam specialises in developing strategies to enhance member services, attract new members, and deliver value using data and feedback. As the primary contact for BESA’s close to 400 membership base, Sam and the team can be reached at members@besa.org.uk for assistance with membership benefits or joining the association.

Caroline Wright, Director General, BESA

Caroline had a distinguished career in the UK Civil Service prior to joining BESA in 2012, leading communications teams at the Department for Education, Ofsted, Partnerships for Schools, Cabinet Office, and the Department of Trade and Industry. Caroline is actively involved in various government and sector advisory boards and has received numerous accolades, including Education Investor’s ‘Outstanding Contribution to Education’ award. Caroline is a frequent contributor to charitable educational activities, reflecting her commitment to the education sector.

Samantha Marsh, Events Manager, BESA

Samantha manages and delivers impactful events that support the education sector and BESA’s almost 400 members. With a background in community engagement and museum curation, Samantha is passionate about listening and adapting programming to the needs of members.

Richard Grazier, Global Director, Oxford University Press

Richard is Global Director, Sales, English Language Teaching, Oxford University Press. He has over 30 years’ experience in education software, publishing, and technology and multiple BESA and BETT awards. He envisions a world where barriers such as language are removed so that all young people can access the curriculum, and have opportunities at college, work and in life.

He believes the BESA community plays a critical role in developing strong partnerships between schools and suppliers. BESA members can create space and time for brilliant educators to focus on what they do best and meet each leaner at their point of need. As an elected BESA Executive Board member, he commits to ethical leadership, continuous learning, and driving measurable social impact. His leadership philosophy is rooted in innovation and a dedication to positive change in the education sector.

Ysanne Heald, Director, TEEM Education

Ysanne Heald is an education specialist whose career spans classroom practice, educational publishing, software development, research, and consultancy. She founded TEEM Education Ltd in 1994 and has since led major projects for education suppliers, government departments, local authorities, schools and nurseries. Her work supports all phases of education—from early years to further education—with a particular focus on the impact of digital resources on learning and the conditions required for their effective use in education. In recent years, TEEM has concentrated on strengthening the early years sector, developing resources and approaches that support children to experience the best possible start in life. 

Dedicated to bridging the gap between education and industry, Ysanne champions collaboration to address sector challenges and build sustainable, innovative solutions. She has been an active contributor to the British Educational Suppliers Association, serving two terms on the BESA Council and chairing the Early Years Special Interest Group. 

Becky Unitt, Head of Product Strategy and Marketing, National Foundation for Educational Research

Becky Unitt is Head of Product Strategy & Marketing at the National Foundation for Educational Research (NFER). NFER’s mission for 75 years has been to improve outcomes for future generations everywhere and to support positive change across education systems. 

With over 15 years of experience in the education sector at both UK and global levels, Becky is a strategic marketing leader dedicated to expanding educational opportunities for all. She has deep expertise in developing go-to-market strategies and driving cross-functional collaboration, leads product development and has spearheaded major online product launches for NFER and Coursera. This expertise is combined with an understanding of the realities of school life gained through her role as a primary school governor. 

Passionate about UK education and EdTech, Becky is aligned with BESA’s mission to drive innovation and growth within the sector, and advocates for research, policy, and practice to positively impact education organisations nationwide.