Annamarie Hassall named as Nasen’s new chief
Fiona Simpson
Wednesday, August 11, 2021
Nasen has named the strategic director of the National Children’s Bureau (NCB) as its new chief executive.
Annamarie Hassall will replace outgoing chief executive Adam Boddison at Nasen (the National Association for Special Educational Needs) next month.
With a career in children’s services spanning four decades, Hassall started out in residential and social care before taking on a role as an early years specialist in local government.
She later moved to an advisory role for the Department for Education, followed by the private sector, where she delivered national programmes on behalf of the government.
In her current role at NCB, Hassall works closely with ministers, DfE, the Department for Work and Pensions and Public Health England as well as the charity’s wider stakeholders.
In 2011, she received an MBE for her dedication to working with children and families, including her work with children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).
Hassall said she was “delighted and honoured” to have been given the new role.
“I am deeply passionate about tackling the barriers in accessing high-quality education, and committed to ensuring that teachers, educators and practitioners have the skills and resources they require to enable inclusion, providing specialist support where needed.
“We are at a pivotal moment in education and SEND. The sector is acutely aware of the disproportionate impact of pandemic-related disruptions to education, and the resulting impact on our ability to intervene early, meeting the needs of children and young people.
“Joining Nasen to lead on the development of the next long-term strategy, especially as the organisation begins marking its 30th anniversary, presents a well-timed opportunity to engage staff, trustees, members and partners, along with system leaders across education, health and social care,” she added.
