Jon Neale
Strategic Growth & Partnerships Leader
Bridging education and technology to drive measurable impact, with proven expertise scaling adoption across K-12, Further Education, and Higher Education globally
About
With over 20 years of experience spanning education and technology, I specialize in scaling edtech adoption across K-12, Further Education, and Higher Education.
As a former educator turned commercial growth leader, I bring a unique perspective that bridges institutional needs with innovative solutions across education sectors. My approach combines strategic vision with empathetic leadership, building trusted partnerships that deliver measurable results in diverse educational contexts, from K-12 through to Higher Education.
I excel at developing go-to-market strategies that drive rapid adoption, creating vibrant educator communities, and establishing strategic partnerships that generate sustainable growth.
Impact
From Stagnation to 7x Growth
Quizizz UK & Ireland Expansion
Problem: Growth was stagnant for 6+ months before my arrival, with the team struggling to move the needle despite focused efforts.
Approach: Implemented a strategic GTM strategy, developed targeted FE/HE partnerships, and built community engagement through a combination of:
- Offline and online community events
- Conferences and social media campaigns
- School visits and targeted outreach
- Strategic leadership engagement
- Cross-functional leadership aligning regional and global objectives
Results: 7x usage growth, 14,000+ institutions reached, and £200k pipeline generated in the first month.
Early-Stage to 2M+ Global Users
Mote Global Growth
Problem: Early-stage product with minimal awareness and limited market penetration.
Approach: Built a comprehensive growth strategy centered around community and education:
- Created 4,000+ educator certification program
- Established ambassador network across 6 continents
- Developed strategic content and engagement campaigns
- Implemented targeted social media marketing
- Community advocacy driving measurable business results
Results: 2M+ users in 18 months, with over 60% of ARR generated from community programs.
Leadership Approach
Empathetic Leadership
Understanding the needs and challenges of education stakeholders is at the core of my approach. By listening first and acting with empathy, I build solutions that resonate with diverse communities across K-12, Higher Education, and corporate learning environments.
Strategic Vision
I combine market insights with deep sector knowledge to develop clear, actionable strategies that drive sustainable growth and meaningful impact. My approach balances innovation with practical implementation, ensuring ideas translate into measurable results.
Community-Driven Growth
Building vibrant, engaged communities is central to my growth philosophy. I create ambassador programs and advocacy networks that turn users into champions, driving organic adoption and creating powerful feedback loops between product and market.
Adaptive Collaboration
I excel at bringing together diverse teams across organizational boundaries, creating alignment around shared goals while respecting contextual differences. This collaborative approach enables effective solutions tailored to specific institutional needs across sectors and regions.
"Education before technology. Always."
Testimonials
I had the privilege of working with Jon as he led Quizizz's expansion in the UK and Ireland. When Jon got started, our growth in the region had been stagnant, and our team had struggled to move the needle despite over 6 months of focused efforts. But in a few months on the job, Jon delivered meaningful and measurable results, and reignited the team's enthusiasm!
Career Timeline
Country Manager, UK & Ireland
Quizizz
- Led strategic expansion across UK & Ireland markets
- Achieved 7x growth in regional usage
- Developed £200k+ sales pipeline within first month
- Built strategic partnerships with key educational institutions
VP Education
Mote
- Drove growth from early-stage to 2M+ global users
- Built 4,000+ educator certification program
- Created ambassador network across 6 continents
- Generated 60%+ of ARR through community programs
Tech Director
Halcyon London International School
- Led digital transformation initiatives
- Implemented innovative educational technology solutions
- Developed strategic technology roadmap
- Trained and supported faculty in technology integration
Strategic Advisor - Digital Learning
Independent Consultant
- Advised educational institutions on technology strategy
- Consulted with EdTech companies on product development
- Delivered keynote presentations at major education conferences
- Provided strategic guidance on AI implementation in education
Recognition
UK's EdTech 50
2019, 2020, 2022
ISTE International Board Member
Contributing to global education technology standards
BETT Award Winner
FE & HE Category
Google Innovator & Trainer
Certified education technology expert
Apple Distinguished Educator
Recognized for innovation in teaching and learning
Global Summit Keynote Speaker
Featured at major education technology conferences
Speaking
Scaling EdTech
From Product to Institution-Wide Adoption
Building Trusted AI Solutions
Responsible AI Implementation in Education
Strategic Partnerships
Creating Cross-Sector Impact in Education
Digital Transformation
Driving Change in UK Education
Educator-First Growth
Building Products Teachers Trust
Cross-Sector Innovation
Bridging K-12, Higher Education, and Corporate Learning for Integrated Growth
Past Speaking Engagements
BETT Show
London, UK
ISTE Conference
New Orleans, USA
TES SEND Show
Birmingham, UK
Premier League Education Annual Conference
Manchester, UK
Strategic Vision
The education technology landscape is at a critical inflection point. As AI transforms how we teach and learn, there's an unprecedented opportunity to create tools that genuinely enhance educational outcomes while respecting the essential human elements of learning. My vision is to help shape this future by building bridges between innovative technology and educational best practices across diverse contexts and sectors.
Human-Centered Design
Successful EdTech must start with deep understanding of educator and learner needs, not technology capabilities.
Ethical AI Implementation
AI in education must be transparent, equitable, and designed to augment rather than replace human teaching.
Community-Driven Growth
Building authentic communities that co-create value and drive organic expansion across diverse educational settings.
Cross-Sector Collaboration
Breaking down silos between educators, technologists, and policymakers is essential for meaningful innovation.
Global Accessibility
Educational technology must be designed for universal access, bridging rather than widening digital divides.
Adaptable Solutions
Designing tools flexible enough to meet specific institutional needs while maintaining core functionality across contexts.
"The future of education technology lies not in replacing human connection, but in enhancing it through thoughtful, accessible, and purpose-driven innovation that transcends traditional boundaries."
Contact
Need to Accelerate Adoption and Impact?
Combining deep education expertise with commercial strategy, I've helped organizations break through growth plateaus and establish market leadership across educational sectors. Let's explore how we can create similar success for your initiatives.
Discuss Possibilities