LLA Leaders’ breakfast
Join us for the next Leeds Learning Alliance Leaders’ Breakfast at CATCH on Friday 19th June, 8.30 – 10.00am.
Sponsored By
Guest Speakers
Tracy Brabin
Mayor of West Yorkshire
Tracy Brabin is a Labour politician and former actress who has served as Mayor of West Yorkshire since 2021, becoming the first woman to hold a UK metro mayor role. Born in Batley, she grew up locally and attended Heckmondwike Grammar School, later beginning her career as a hairdresser before moving into the entertainment industry. She gained national recognition for her role in Coronation Street and appeared in a range of television dramas, alongside work as a writer.
Brabin entered politics as the MP for Batley and Spen in 2016, later serving as Shadow Culture Minister. As Mayor, she has focused on job creation, green transport, safer communities and social housing, shaped by her own upbringing. Her leadership reflects a commitment to opportunity, regional development and public service.
Steph Taylor
CEO, Leeds Community Foundation
Steph is the Chief Executive at Leeds Community Foundation, the region’s largest independent grant maker. She has held leadership roles in a wide range of charities and funders, sits on the grants and evaluation Committee of Youth Futures Foundation and in 2019 became a Windsor Leadership Fellow, recognising her as one of “society’s most promising strategic leaders”.
Steph started her career as a youth worker and careers adviser and has worked in alternative education provision for a Local Authority as well as at Catch22, where she established their education and employability department and led the first randomised control trial into the impact of youth work practice in schools. Steph has been a school governor at primary and secondary level and is a passionate advocate for inclusive child-led practice.
Niall Bourke
Associate Director, Arup
Niall Bourke is an Associate Director and Leeds Office Leader at Arup, where he has led significant civil infrastructure projects since 2012. Previously, Niall served in various capacities including Design Manager for the York Central development and played a key role in the Leeds Flood Alleviation Scheme. He holds a BEng in Civil Engineering from University College Cork, an MSc in Sustainable Waste Management from the University of Leeds, and an MSt in Interdisciplinary Design for the Built Environment from the University of Cambridge.
