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Rachel Younger
Rachel Younger

NAHT president: Rachel Younger

Rachel Younger has worked in schools for more than 20 years and is currently the business manager at St Nicholas C of E Primary School in Blackpool. She is a fellow of the Institute of School Business Leadership and a governor at a local all-through special school for pupils with autism.

Rachel has been an active member of NAHT since 2012, becoming branch secretary for Blackpool in 2015. She was NAHT regional president for the North West in 2018, the first school business leader to be elected to that office in any region. Rachel has been a member of NAHT’s national executive committee since 2017. She is the first school business leader to be elected to the role of president in the union’s 125-year history.


Angi Gibson
Angi Gibson

NAHT vice-president: Angi Gibson

Angi Gibson is the head teacher of Hadrian Park Primary School in North Tyneside and vice-president of NAHT (she will be president of NAHT in September 2025).  Throughout her career, Angi has been driven by a simple, powerful belief: every child matters, every day. Inclusion is the foundation of her work – in her school, in the wider community, and now on the national stage.

Originally from a working-class background, Angi’s values of hard work, honesty and determination were shaped by her family and community. After beginning her career in engineering, she moved into teaching out of a desire to make a difference where it matters most. She believes passionately that education must help children see beyond their circumstances – and that opportunity must never depend on a postcode.

Under Angi’s leadership, Hadrian Park has become known for its commitment to equity, kindness and inclusion. She has championed bicycles as a symbol of equality – helping children connect with their community, stay active and experience freedom regardless of their background.

As NAHT president, Angi will lead with heart and fire, focused on meaningful action rather than titles or photo opportunities. Her priorities are clear: to reform inspection and accountability, improve pay and funding, address recruitment and retention challenges, secure investment in safe school buildings, strengthen SEND support and tackle workload so that staff and children can thrive. She says: “These aren’t wish lists – these are non-negotiables.”

Angi’s presidency will be a call to action — to fight for the best for every child and to ensure that no child is left behind.


Simon Kidwell
Simon Kidwell

NAHT immediate past president: Simon Kidwell

Until taking over as NAHT president from September 2023 to August 2024, Simon was head teacher at Hartford Manor Primary School and Nursery in Cheshire and branch secretary of NAHT's Cheshire branch. Simon joined NAHT in 1999 and has been a member of our national executive since 2017.


Judith Stott
Judith Stott

NAHT national treasurer: Judith Stott

Judith Stott is head teacher at Old Trafford Primary School, Manchester and has been a member of NAHT since 1995. She became NAHT national treasurer in 2016.


Paul Whiteman
Paul Whiteman

NAHT general secretary: Paul Whiteman

Paul Whiteman took up the role of general secretary of NAHT in September 2017, bringing with him a wealth of trade union knowledge, as well as hands-on experience of the vast range of challenges faced by school leaders. Paul joined NAHT in 2012 as director of representation and advice, with overall responsibility for the directorate that provides advice to members on management, legal and employment issues.

Having started out in retail banking, Paul soon got involved in the Banking, Insurance and Finance Union. His enthusiasm for trade unionism grew, and between 2002 and 2012, he held the position of national officer for the FDA civil service trade union.  

Born in Croydon, Paul was educated at John Ruskin High School in Croydon. He completed an MA in industrial relations and employment law at Keele University in 2000.