Welcome To

Fig Tree International

Ann Palmer

CEO & Founder - Fig Tree International Ltd

Fig Tree International Ltd provides advice, challenge and support to schools both in the UK and internationally. This school improvement service has been established to give schools the opportunity to secure additional support and to provide high-quality training and help in the areas of school improvement, leadership development, executive coaching and Equity, Diversity and Inclusion. The team consists of experienced advisers/consultants with a strong track record of improvement and a thorough understanding of educational contexts.

We also work with corporations and other organisations in a leadership, coaching and team-training capacity.

Freeman of the City of London

Member of The Guild of Freemen of the City of London

Book 30mins Consultation with Fig Tree Intl

'Education is the most powerful weapon which can change the world.'

Nelson Mandela

Fig Tree International Ltd

'I highly recommend Ann Palmer, one of the top CEOs in England and the world if you want to complete leadership CPD or professional development. She is a visionary leader who has coached CEOs, Executive Heads, Senior and Middle Leaders and entry level candidates.

I have witnessed her inspirational workshops and coaching. I recommend her and her team. Do not hesitate to book her as a keynote speaker. The audience will be enthralled. She is a leadership guru, a national treasure and includes training for global leaders overseas.' Javay

The Platinum Jubilee Pageant and Fig Tree International

Fig Tree International was shortlisted as one of seventy organisations in the Commonwealth and is featured in the official commemorative album which charts Her Late Majesty The Queen’s 70-year reign and Platinum Jubilee.

Who is it for?

This summit is for aspiring, emerging and newly appointed executive leaders from Black, Asian, and global majority backgrounds, including:

Senior leaders preparing for roles such as Executive Head, CEO, or Director
Middle leaders with executive ambitions
MAT or Trust leaders committed to equity-centred change
Those navigating the emotional, political and professional realities of racialised leadership

If you’re ready to lead beyond the school gates – with strategy, presence and power – this summit is for you.

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Conference Price
£240.00, per person, includes the full programme, excellent speakers & workshops, lunch and refreshments etc.

In the words of Ann Palmer

Rise Leaders Rise Summit

Executive Leadership for Global Majority Educators

The Rise Leaders Rise Summit is a bold, affirming and future-focused one-day leadership conference created to support and accelerate the journey of global majority educators into executive leadership.

This summit has been designed in response to a persistent and deeply felt need: the underrepresentation of global majority leaders at the highest levels of educational leadership in Multi Academy Trusts, Local Authorities, diocesan structures, and national policy spaces. While schools across the UK serve richly diverse communities, the executive leadership of the sector does not yet reflect that diversity.

We believe that must change and this summit is part of that change.

Purpose of the Summit

The Rise Leaders Rise Summit is more than an event – it’s a movement.

It exists to:

Inspire global majority education leaders to see themselves in senior executive roles
Equip them with the tools, knowledge, and confidence to step forward boldly
Connect them with others on the journey – building networks of support and sponsorship
Challenge the systems that have historically excluded and undervalued diverse leadership voices
Affirm that our communities, our schools, and our children need leadership that is reflective, representative, and rooted in justice

What You Will Gain

Attendees will experience:

Keynotes from powerful global majority executive leaders
Workshops focused on practical tools for strategic influence, public leadership, confidence and inner belief
Courageous conversations about race, power, authenticity and vision
Guidance on sponsorship, personal branding and visibility
A vibrant, affirming community that recognises your leadership potential

Why Now?

Now is the time for education to reflect the brilliance, resilience and excellence of the communities it serves. Now is the time to challenge the myth that executive leadership must look, sound, or behave a certain way. Now is the time to rise , unapologetically, collaboratively, and strategically.

“Representation is not enough. We need leadership transformation. This summit exists to affirm that you don’t need to wait to be chosen. Your time is now.”

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PROVISIONAL AGENDA

Venue

Homerton College, The University of Cambridge

Caribbean Global Awards 2026

This distinguished recognition reflects the significance of your work, achievements, and contributions to excellence within your field, community, and the wider global Caribbean diaspora. I am delighted to have been nominated in 5 different categories.

FOR MORE INFORMATION

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And then there were TWO…! I was already looking forward to attending the Caribbean Global Awards 2026 this September, having been named a finalist for the AI Visionary Award and then another notification arrived… The Finalists List has now officially concluded and been reviewed, and I am incredibly honoured to have been selected as a finalist for a second award:
🏆 Caribbean Historical and Cultural Preservation Award

This one feels particularly special. Innovation may be about where we are going, but culture and heritage remind us of where we have come from and where I have recently returned to. To be recognised in the same year for work connected to both AI and the future, and history, culture and legacy, feels like two very different worlds coming together, yet, for me, they are deeply connected. We cannot build the future without understanding the shoulders we stand upon.

The standard of nominations this year was exceptionally high, which makes being selected as a finalist even more meaningful. I am grateful to those who nominated me, to those who continue to support my work, and to everyone who believes that impact can cross industries, generations and borders.

Finalist - The National Diversity Awards 2026
Lifetime Achiever Awards

This prestigious award honours an individual who has made significant, innovative and cumulatively outstanding contributions to enhancing the practice of equality and diversity, devoting a major portion of their life to their cause.

ATTEND EVENT - 18/09/26

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Awards Announcement

We are delighted to share that Fig Tree International has been honoured with two prestigious awards in the Corporate Coaching & Recruitment Awards 2025:

Best Global Leadership & Education Consultancy 2025
Client Service Excellence Award 2025

These awards recognise our commitment to delivering world-class leadership development, exceptional client care, and a values-driven approach that places integrity, service and impact at the centre of everything we do.

Thank you to all our clients, partners and collaborators around the world. Your trust and belief in our mission make achievements like this possible.
We look forward to continuing to lead, innovate and serve with excellence.

Ann Palmer: The Journey of a Global Thought-Leader

Delighted to be featured in Business Magazine UAE! With an audience of over 74000 visitors each week, I’m honoured to be spotlighted in such a dynamic publication that champions leadership, innovation and entrepreneurial excellence.
In the feature, I share insights on leadership, global impact and the mindset that drives transformational change and I hope it inspires you as much as it inspires me.

Diamond Distinction Awards

Fig Tree International Ltd Recognised as a Leading Strategic Educational
Partner in London
Driving Excellence in Education
Fig Tree International Ltd has been recognised as a leading force in educational
consultancy, earning acclaim for its strategic approach to improving outcomes for
schools, organisations, and leadership teams across London and beyond.

A Vision for Transformational Change
Founded with a clear mission to elevate educational standards, Fig Tree
International specialises in delivering tailored consultancy, leadership development,
and school improvement strategies. The organisation works closely with educational
institutions to identify challenges, implement effective solutions, and achieve
sustainable, long-term success.

Expertise That Delivers Impact
At the core of Fig Tree International’s success is a wealth of experience in
educational leadership and system-wide improvement. The organisation supports
schools and organisations at every stage of their development, providing practical
guidance that translates directly into measurable progress. From enhancing
leadership capability to strengthening teaching practices, their work consistently
drives meaningful results.

A Collaborative Approach to Success
What sets Fig Tree International apart is its commitment to collaboration. By working
in partnership with leaders, educators, and stakeholders, the organisation ensures
that every strategy is aligned with the unique needs and goals of each client. This
personalised approach fosters confidence, builds capability, and empowers teams to
take ownership of their progress.

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Supporting Leaders and Institutions Worldwide
While firmly rooted in London, Fig Tree International’s reach extends internationally,
supporting a diverse range of educational environments. Its ability to adapt to
different contexts while maintaining consistently high standards has positioned the
organisation as a trusted partner in the global education sector.

Setting a Benchmark for Educational Consultancy
Through a combination of strategic insight, practical implementation, and unwavering dedication to excellence, Fig Tree International continues to set a benchmark for educational consultancy. Its work not only strengthens individual
institutions but also contributes to the wider advancement of education systems.

With a clear focus on impact, innovation, and collaboration, Fig Tree International Ltd remains at the forefront of educational transformation, helping institutions unlock their full potential and achieve lasting success.

🗓️ Three dates available across February, March and April.
This session is designed for:
➡️ COOs and CFOs
➡️ HR Strategic Leads and School Business Managers
➡️ Data Protection Officers (DPOs)
➡️ Board members serving on finance, audit, risk or resources committees

What leaders will gain;
✔️ Clarity on how AI can reduce operational burden and cost
✔️ Confidence to lead AI ethically, compliantly and strategically
✔️ A clear understanding of COO, HR and DPO responsibilities
✔️ Practical frameworks to take straight back to your organisation
✔️ Stronger governance and assurance conversations at board level

Every participant will take away;
🔹 An Organisation-Wide Operational AI Maturity Matrix
🔹 The same matrix ready for RAG-rating
🔹 Role-specific AI handouts for COO, HR and DPO roles
🔹 Role-specific RAG-rating versions for COO, HR and DPO use

This is more than training, it’s an immersive leadership experience designed to help schools and MATs move from curiosity to confident, well-governed AI adoption.

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Future-proof careers education: guide students confidently in an AI-driven world of work.

Guiding Futures: Careers Education for an AI World

Artificial Intelligence is reshaping the world of work at pace. Roles are evolving, new industries are emerging, and traditional pathways are shifting. For schools, this raises an urgent question: how do we guide young people towards adaptable, resilient futures?

This practical and thought-provoking session is designed for secondary school careers leaders, pastoral leaders, Heads of Sixth Form and senior staff responsible for personal development and pastoral delivery.

You will explore: