At Gail Khan Associates, our strength lies in the expertise and dedication of our team. As part of our Meet the Team series, we’re delighted to introduce Lesley Conway, one of GKA’s highly experienced HR Consultants and Executive Coach.
Lesley is an accomplished strategic HR and People leader with a proven track record in building high‑impact teams, driving culture transformation and supporting sustainable organisational growth. Previously, she has led a Multi Academy Trust’s HR and People function, creating a values‑driven, fully integrated service that supports staff, leaders and organisational development across multiple sites.
Her expertise spans workforce planning, leadership development, employee engagement, TUPE processes, employment law and performance management. With a legal background and deep understanding of the complexities of multi‑site, cross‑local‑authority operations, Lesley brings clarity and confidence to senior leaders navigating challenging people‑related issues. She regularly advises Boards and Executive Teams and has also served as Chair of Governors at a local primary school.
Lesley has completed her ILM Level 7 Certificate in Executive and Senior Level Coaching and Mentoring, further strengthening her commitment to leadership development. Her coaching practice is grounded in her extensive operational leadership experience and a strong belief in human potential.
She partners with clients to create the space for clarity, resilience and insight, offering reflective challenge that empowers professionals to act with confidence in evolving, often high‑pressure environments. Whether supporting senior leaders navigating organisational change, newly appointed headteachers establishing credibility, or Trusts embedding coaching cultures, Lesley brings presence, empathy and practical rigour to every session.
Lesley’s coaching style is informed by years of hands‑on leadership within the education sector. She understands the pressures, pace and complexity of school and Trust environments, enabling her to connect quickly with clients and tailor her approach to their context.
Her work helps leaders strengthen self‑awareness, build resilience, enhance communication and lead with authenticity, all essential qualities in today’s rapidly changing educational landscape.
Lesley loves to travel with her family in her time off, her teenage children have already been lucky enough to travel to 20 countries. When she is not travelling, Lesley loves walking with her family and young puppy, Lenny, in the countryside. She is also an avid Cross-Fitter and has been for 8 years, though never seems to get any faster!
Why do I like working at GKA:
“I love working at GKA because I am part of a truly exceptional team, where we combine expertise, shared values and a genuine passion for developing people and organisations to achieve their full potential. Working with GKA has given me the opportunity to work with a wide range of clients and experience diverse areas of HR, continually learning and growing in the process.”
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