5.00pm-6.00pm followed by drinks  •  Dan Sandhu in conversation with John Forsyth

‘Where to invest in education – traditional schools or edtech?’

Dan Sandhu, CEO, Sparx Learning

CEO of Sparx Learning, Dan has an extensive career in the education and technology sectors, both in the UK and internationally. Leading and guiding education teams around the world, Dan has previously been voted as one of Education Technology’s top 100 most influential leaders globally. 

As a member of BESA’s Executive Council (UK Education Industry Body) and having joined the Brooking Institution’s Center for Universal Education’s Leadership Council in the US, Dan is influencing the education and EdTech landscapes beyond his role at Sparx Learning. He is a regular speaker at education and technology forums and has authored numerous articles.

Dan has led Sparx Learning’s growth into a market-leading, award-winning global business. Sparx Learning (comprising SparxMaths, HegartyMaths and Numerise) is improving the maths of 1.8 million learners in 2,000 schools across 23 countries. Sparx Learning has raised £50m from an impact-focused family office, one of largest by a UK investor, into UK EdTech. 

Dan is focused on ensuring that Sparx Learning will achieve sustainable impact in the delivery of maths education in the UK and internationally via the use of education technology. Sparx Learning aims to improve numeracy and therefore life opportunities for millions of learners around the world.

John Forsyth, Founder and CEO, Forfar Education – an education investment and management company, specialising in private schools across the World.

Post a career in the British Army as Captain, John worked for Mars Ltd making Maltesers and Minstrels in the UK. In 2010 John was headhunted to join the Chandler Corporation (now Clermont Corporation) in Singapore, initially building greenfield education and healthcare businesses across Asia and Africa and then going on to be promoted to global CEO. In mid 2013 John Co-Founded Rising Tide Asia -a direct and fund investment platform in education and healthcare.

In 2016, John then founded Forfar Education with a view to capitalising on the growing global K12 sector. John has been the Chairman, Founder or CEO of over 25 schools across the World.