Ian Fordham

This article is part of the Spinwatch privatisation of Schools Portal project.

Ian Fordham is a leading edtech lobbyist in the UK.

In December 2016, Fordham became director of education for Microsoft.

He is also a 'Tech Ambassador' for the Mayor of London.

Edtech UK

Prior to the Microsoft role, Fordham was CEO of Edtech UK, a lobby group for the UK's education technology sector. He retains a postion on the group's advisory board.

The Education Foundation

Fordham was also the co-founder with Ty Goddard of the Education Foundation, another edtech lobby group.

As director of the Education Foundation's incubator programme for edtech startups, Fordham:

• advised and led collaborations with global companies including Facebook, Samsung, IBM, Skype & Sony Playstation
• advised government departments: the Department for Education, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills, Cabinet Office & Number 10.
• led edtech trade missions to the USA & Israel.
• planned and delivered Britain's first Education Reform Summits in 2014-2016 and Education Summit North.

Fordham has also written a number of reports on reform & the future of technology. He also speaks at conferences including Goldman Sachs Disruptive Technology Summit & the ASU GSV Summit, run by GSV Capital.

Government advisor

Fordham was a member of the UK government's expert group on Education Technology (ETAG).

Contact

• Website: www.ednfoundation.org | www.edtechuk.com
• Twitter: @ianfordham