History | DLB Leadership Associates

“If we did all the things we are capable of doing we would literally astound ourselves”
Thomas Alva Edison

DLB Leadership Associates was founded in 2012 by Deborah Leek-Bailey, then headteacher of Babington House School and an Associate of the National College of Teaching and Leadership. After extensive research Deborah identified areas of expertise that she considered would benefit most organisations, including schools. Over a period of time Deborah approached a small group of respected professionals whom she believed possessed these attributes and invited them to join her, on the assumption that in some instances working collectively the group’s expertise would have a more significant impact. Find out more about each associate .

Deborah was a headteacher for 15 years and took her school from satisfactory to excellent in all areas of school life. Alongside her work as a head Deborah also forged strong links with Government and was identified as the person best suited to represent the Independent sector with the National College/DFE. This relationship lasted over a decade and Deborah was instrumental in unifying responses to the college and government from an eclectic group of professional Associations. Deborah was engaged in the redesign of two versions of the National Professional Qualification for headship, and more recently the National Professional qualification for Senior Leadership, wrote numerous articles, was a key note speaker at conferences and carried out research on the means of identifying outstanding leadership in complex organisational structures.

Deborah was also elected by her peers to become the National Chairman for the Independent schools Association, Chair of The Cross Association Leadership Group, Chair of ISA Professional Development and currently she chairs the Independent state school Partnership Forum, appointed by Lord Nash.

Every day, in a variety of ways, Deborah and her team of Associates challenge acquiescence and promote the desire for excellence.

Working alongside ISC, Deborah was instrumental in ensuring that all Independent schools acquired free access to online safer recruitment. She is a Trustee of Child Bereavement UK (CBUK), author of several adoption articles, Educational Advisor to the Independent Schools Magazine, an Inspector, an adjudicator of the FIS Independent Teaching School Awards and Vice President of the ISA. In 2003 she received a Millennium Award for her work in South Africa, on HIV and AIDS and in 2013 she was awarded an OBE for her services to the British Empire.

It is a culmination of these experiences and networks that Deborah brings to the work that she now carries out as a consultant. It is her belief that investment in others develops oneself and that transformational leadership is a thing of the past, whereas collaborative outward facing leadership will nourish and enrich any organisation and community. DLB are committed to social justice, equity and excellence.

DLB Experience