Karl Lawton
Regional Governance Development Lead (West Midlands and the South West)
Karl supports regional and local organisations to strengthen school governance and provides consultancy and training services. Prior to taking up his Regional Lead role, Karl rejoined the consultancy team in February 2025, after previously holding the role of DfE/NGA National Leader of Governance (NLG) from October 2021 to October 2023.
He supports governing boards and governance professionals through governance reviews, training, and strategic development, drawing on his experience as a NLG. He has also been a governor in schools and academies for more than 25 years in a variety of settings. Karl is currently a director of a multi academy trust board.
He has chaired and supported trusts and governing boards across the maintained and academy sectors, in primary, secondary, faith and special schools. Karl has also served as a Governor Support Manager for a local authority and a Governance and Compliance Officer for a multi academy trust.