Our Executive
Since 1989, Cognition Learning Group has been focused on giving educators from all walks of life new ways to inspire their students. Our team are highly skilled professionals who use their knowledge and expertise to co-discover, co-design, co-deliver and evaluate education solutions, who are led by our Executive Team.
Tina Lucas, Chief Executive Officer
Tina joined Cognition Learning Group in 2016 having previously completed successful tenures as CEO of Aspire-Education, Managing Director at Nord Anglia Education PLC and the founder of STEMtech Education. Tina has an extensive track record spanning 30 years growing award-winning education, professional services, EdTech and digital learning organisations across Europe, the Middle East, Australasia and Asia. Under her stewardship, the company has seen rapid expansion into Australia, the UK and the Pacific Island’s.
Sean Ryan, Chief Financial Officer
Sean Ryan joined as the Cognition Learning Group CFO following his role as Country & Finance Director of Australia. Previously, he had positions within the Group including Financial Controller and Commercial Manager. Sean’s experience in the international and national education sector, as well as auditing, analysis, management accounting and acquisitions, brings a diverse range of expertise to his role with Cognition Learning Group.
Rachel Morriss-Jarvis, Managing Director Australia and New Zealand
Rachel joined Cognition Learning Group in 2016 and leads Cognition Education in Australia and New Zealand. Rachel has held senior roles within both corporate and charitable sectors, providing marketing, sponsorship, communications and public relations expertise. Formerly a Marketing and Development Director for Auckland’s largest multi-arts event, she also spent several years in a number of marketing roles within New Zealand Post Group and the technology and retail industries.
Dr. Arran Hamilton, Group Director, Education
Arran joined Cognition Learning Group in 2017 to lead the development and transition of our Visible Learning Plus business before taking up a position as Group Director, Strategy and more recently as Group Director, Education. He is an accomplished education-sector senior leader and researcher with more than 15 years’ experience working in some of the top educational consultancies in the world. He previously held senior positions at Cambridge Assessment, Nord Anglia Education, Education Development Trust (formerly CfBT) and the British Council. Arran is now based out of Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Ian Ormiston, Managing Director, International Development
Ian joined Cognition Learning Group in 2017 having gained extensive commercial management experience from roles across New Zealand, Australia, Asia, the UK and the United States, having previously worked for NZ Dairy Group, Carter Holt Harvey, Les Mills International and Magic Memories. Based out of our Head Office in Auckland, Ian leads International Development. Ian has had considerable success creating new business and improving revenue and profitability in existing ones with extensive experience in sales, marketing, business development, supply chain management and successfully leading small and large cross-functional teams.
James Hodgson, Managing Director, Wavelength
James joined Cognition Learning Group in 2013 as a senior manager in our publishing division, taking over Wavelength in 2015 following the acquisition of the company by the Group. He has an extensive background in digital learning and publishing and has led Wavelength’s transition into the Group and subsequent growth internationally over the last few years. Based out of our Sydney offices, James is driving the expansion of the business across Australia and New Zealand whilst developing expansion plans more widely.
Alison Wheatly, Managing Director, Aspire Development
Alison Wheatly joined Cognition Learning Group in 2022 as part of the acquisition of Aspire Development by the Group.
Alison has extensive experience of developing leaders in both private and public sectors, having established high-quality commercial and government-funded training programmes and qualifications for Aspire and previously in the financial sector.
Based in our UK offices, she is focused on growing Aspire to equip leaders present and future to achieve their ambitions.
Tracey Newman, Managing Director, United Kingdom
Tracey joined Cognition Learning Group in 2023 and leads Cognition Education in the UK. Tracey is an experienced executive director and has worked across the private, public and charity sectors, prior to joining Cognition Learning group.
Tracey held director roles at AQA (an assessment organisation), The Charity Commission and an ombudsman scheme. She also spent several years in senior leadership positions at O2 (a UK mobile telecom provider.)
Tracey’s roles have spanned across functional areas that have covered: customer delivery/experience; sales; business development; operations; marketing and regulation.