About Claudia
Claims to fame: I used to do the stand up comedy circuit: I’ve been mentioned in a BAFTA acceptance speech: I’ve swum around Necker Island: I’ve hugged Hugh Jackman and I’ve had Julia Gillard round for dinner.
Claudia Barwell started working in education 25 years ago as an area coordinator for Volunteer Reading Help. Since then, she has worked on a broad range of projects with schools, charities, theatres, government, and NGO’s both in the UK and abroad.
Her most fulfilling work has been working directly with young people for Creative Partnerships, The National Theatre (involving young people from Barnardos, Fairbridge and The Princes Trust), The International Baccalaureate and NESTA. Claudia managed the Young Poet Laureate for London programme on behalf of Spread the Word for three years and had the privilege of working with some of the most talented poets of our generation.
Since 2015, Claudia has focused on creating meaningful learning experiences for adults working in education. Initially organising events and conferences, she now focuses on how to build community, by using an event as a springboard to build enduring collaborations between people working in education.
(And in her spare time, she harbours an ambition to write a smash hit musical, which has nothing to do with any of this)
About Jim
Claims to fame: I understudied the Artful Dodger in the West End production of Oliver: We were at Strictly the night Ed Balls and Katya Jones danced Gangnam Style; and I’m the only person ever to have won a seat for Labour in Dorset in a general election.
The Rt Hon Lord Jim Knight of Weymouth works in education, digital technology and as a legislator.
Jim regularly speaks and facilitates events for a range of clients, adding to Suklaa’s expertise in increasing the engagement created by education events.
As a UK government minister and MP, Jim’s portfolios included rural affairs, schools, digital and employment. He was a member of Gordon Brown’s Cabinet 2009-2010, before joining the Lords after the 2010 General Election. Previous to working at Suklaa, Jim worked for many years at Tes Global Ltd.
He is currently chair of the board for E-ACT, is on the Nord Anglia Education Advisory Board and on the Global Advisory Council for BETT. He was appointed Chair of the Board at COBIS in November 2022.
Jim is currently working on the online safety bill in parliament, and chairing a select committee on the future of Ofsted. When he’s not at work, you’ll find him at the Emirates stadium.
About Suklaa
Claims to fame: Suklaa founders Kristian and Darina went on to invent Ooni, one of the fastest growing businesses in the UK, and a multi award winning genius idea. Darina has been close enough to Dolly Parton to touch her, for which, Claudia is unlikely to forgive her.
Suklaa is run by Claudia and Jim, as a husband and wife team. It was founded in 2007 by Kristian Tapaninaho and Darina Garland. Claudia joined the team soon after. Passionate about creativity in education and education reform, Suklaa has worked with schools, universities, policy makers and change makers from all over the world. Darina and Kristian left Suklaa in 2018 to run their multi award winning pizza oven business Ooni.
Now run from their home office in South East London, Claudia and Jim continue to build their global community and believe that they’re only as good as the last time they were on a dance floor.