Sonal Desai is a senior SEND and inclusion system leader with extensive experience spanning education, local government, governance and national reform programmes. Having begun her career as a teacher and progressed through school leadership, local authority leadership, consultancy and national advisory roles, she brings a unique perspective on inclusion that bridges classroom practice, organisational leadership and whole-system transformation.

Sonal currently serves as Chief Customer Officer at SENshine, where she leads customer strategy, partnerships and system adoption across SEND reform, inclusion, education technology and AI-enabled practice.

As Director of Insight Innovate, Sonal works with local authorities, schools and trusts to strengthen inclusion, improve outcomes and translate national policy into practical delivery. Through this work, she serves as an appointed SEND Adviser on the Department for Education’s Educational and Children’s Social Care Framework, providing strategic support and challenge to local authorities undertaking SEND reform and system improvement. Her expertise includes SEND strategy, governance, workforce development, early intervention, system redesign and the use of technology to support inclusive practice.

Sonal is also Trustee Inclusion Champion for Anthem Schools Trust and a recognised voice in the national conversation on SEND reform. She is passionate about creating education systems that are both ambitious and inclusive, ensuring that children and young people with SEND receive the right support, at the right time, in the right place.