BESA x Hachette Learning: Women’s Leadership Reception

Kat Cauchi, Community Engagement Manager, NetSupport

Kat is the community engagement manager at NetSupport, the editor of R.I.S.E. Magazine and the host of the Her Tech Life podcast. Kat is a 2023 We Are Tech Women #TechWomen100 award winner and a Nexus Education 2022 Classroom and Curriculum Improvement award winner. She is a member of the Global Equality Collective, an Innovate Her ambassador and a Technocamps Girls in STEM role model.

Kat is passionate about closing gaps and creating inclusive communities where everyone can thrive, which is why she is a proud to be the Chair of the WESN. As a woman working in a tech company, she is particularly passionate about closing the gender gap in STEM.

Seshni Jacobs, CEO, Hachette Learning

Seshni Jacobs, the visionary and dedicated CEO of Hachette Learning (formerly Hodder Education), is a transformative leader making a powerful impact on education. Driven by her belief that every learner should be empowered to embrace their uniqueness, Seshni is spearheading meaningful change within her company and throughout the industry. Seshni’s passion for education is at the heart of her leadership. With deep roots in a family of teachers, she has always been herself an educator first, and her leadership is fuelled by an unwavering commitment to unlocking every learner’s unique potential. With a clear vision for the future of education, she inspires her team to innovate, embrace change and push boundaries. Under her direction, Hachette Learning is transforming from a traditional print publisher to a global digital solutions provider, creating products that support diverse learning journeys and enhance outcomes. A mentor, thought leader, and advocate for change, Seshni is committed to nurturing the next generation of leaders, and fostering inclusivity. As Sponsor of Hachette UK’s Gender Balance Network, she advocates for balanced recruitment and career progression. Beyond this, she mentors colleagues across Hachette UK, offering thoughtful guidance, helping them grow into the leaders of tomorrow.

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.

Nicola Allen, Managing Director, Educake

Nicola, Managing Director of Educake, is committed to directly supporting teachers and improving student outcomes. As a parent of three teenagers, she has experienced firsthand the challenges schools face, particularly during the disruptions of lockdown. This experience deepened her commitment to creating solutions that truly support both teachers and students. Nicola is passionate about the power of technology to transform the classroom experience and is dedicated to ensuring that Educake continues to meet the evolving needs of teachers, students, and parents alike. She’s always keenly listening to teachers to gain insights and perspective to stay aware of the evolving challenges and needs within education, ensuring that her work continues to be relevant and impactful.

Rebecca Harrington, Global Sales Director, RM

Rebecca Harrington is the Global Sales Director at TTS, a division of RM Plc, where she leads the strategic direction of a global education business supplying over 30,000 resources to more than 115 countries. With over a decade of experience in the education sector, she brings a strong commercial background across sales, marketing, logistics, compliance, and operations. Having successfully led several businesses to rapid international growth, Rebecca has a deep understanding of the practical challenges and opportunities UK education companies face when entering and operating in overseas markets. Her work is rooted in helping organisations scale sustainably and build strong, purpose-led global partnerships.