We announce a significant leadership transition as Eva Lloyd OBE steps down as Acorn’s Chair of Trustees after three years of dedicated service as Chair and five years as a trustee. Eva has been a driving force in advancing the strategic direction of the board of trustees, bringing extensive expertise from the early years sector and a strong commitment to social equity. Eva is an Emeritus Professor of Early Childhood at the University of East London and a visiting Professor at University College, London and her national and

international research into the marketisation of childcare has helped shape Acorn’s approach to inclusive and high-quality early years education.  We are delighted to share that Eva will continue her association with Acorn as our first-ever Patron, allowing us to benefit from her wisdom and advocacy in a new capacity. 

Taking over as Chair of Trustees is Dr Narendra Laljani, who brings over 30 years of experience in leadership development, organisational strategy, and executive coaching. As an Executive Fellow and Director at Henley Business School, Narendra supports leaders and teams in becoming more effective and purpose-driven. His understanding of organisational dynamics and commitment to Acorn’s mission make him an ideal successor to Eva. We look forward to working with Narendra as our new Chair and continuing to build on the strong foundation laid by Eva.