Alan Leaman joined nurtureuk in 2016 and became our chair in 2022. He has worked for many decades in public affairs and communications, and was the CEO of the industry association for management consultancies, the MCA, from 2008 until 2019. Previously, he led the communications department at the Association of British Insurers and worked as chief speech writer, political adviser and media spokesperson for Paddy Ashdown when he was leader of the Liberal Democrats. He was the party’s Director of Strategy in the run-up to the 1997 general election and was awarded the OBE for political and public service.

Prior to his involvement in national politics, Alan worked for a number of charities and voluntary organisations. He was a Trustee of the Lloyds Bank Foundation for England and Wales until 2014.

Alan is currently chair of governors of a primary school in Kent and his two children attend local secondary schools. He is also a member of the Advisory Board at Echo Research, a firm which specialises in reputation research and consultancy.