Louise Soden

Louise started her career teaching and managing English in a variety of secondary schools, including those in inner cities. She became an advisory teacher and subsequently a lecturer at Sussex University, contributing to initial teacher education and research on teachers’ professional development. Louise was a deputy headteacher for six years, before becoming a member of a small team establishing the advisory service of a new unitary authority, moving to become an assistant director in another newly established authority.

Louise joined Her Majesty’s Inspectorate (HMI) in 2002. Following this, she joined the Department for Education (DfE) with responsibility for implementing a key government policy to establish school improvement partners (SIPs) in all schools.

In 2007, Louise joined the London Borough of Richmond upon Thames as an Assistant Director. She rejoined the DfE as an Academy Adviser, establishing new academies as well as leading research for the Academies Group and working intensively with the most fragile academies. In 2012, Louise was invited to rejoin Ofsted as a director. During this time she was the Regional Director for the East Midlands and the National Director for local authorities.

Louise was introduced to Gabrieli through their education work and is a passionate advocate of Gabrieli Roar. She joined the board in 2014.