Our people

NAHT president: Rachel Younger

Rachel joined the union in 2010, becoming Blackpool branch secretary in 2015, and the school business leader representative on our national executive in 2017. Rachel has previously served as the chair of the membership services committee and the vice chair of the diversity and inclusion group, and will continue to serve as chair of the school business leader sector council. 

NAHT vice-president: Angi Gibson

Angi is the head teacher of Hadrian Park Primary School and became a member of NAHT in 2009, becoming a deputy head sector representative on NAHT's national executive in 2011 and moving into the north east regional representative seat on national executive in 2014, a role which she has continued to hold for the past 10 years. Over her time in NAHT, Angi has served on the primary sector council, finance and people committee and international committee, as well as chairing both the practice committee and the legal representation committee. 

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.

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.

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.