Emma Knights OBE was chief executive of the National Governance Association from 2010 to 2024, growing its services and the understanding of school and trust governance. She had the privilege of representing the voices of school governors and academy trustees across England. Before NGA, Emma worked in third sector organisations, always aiming to support people from disadvantaged backgrounds with advocacy, access to civil rights and entitlements, and by tackling child poverty or encouraging early education. She continues to govern and now chairs a local environmental charity, Action21.

