Speakers

Hugh Viney, 37, is the visionary founder and CEO of Minerva Virtual Academy (MVA), a multi-award-winning online school for students aged 11-18 and Minerva Tutors, a premium 121 tutoring service. Over the past decade, Hugh has championed a simple yet profound question: How can we make school fit the child instead of forcing the child to fit the school?

Founded in 2021, Minerva Virtual Academy is the UK’s fastest-growing school, having grown to more than 1200 full-time students (and counting) across 60 countries in just over 4 years. It is also the largest online school of its kind to be accredited by the Department for Education. Today, he leads MVA’s mission to provide a flexible and supportive alternative to traditional school, giving more young people access to the British Curriculum in a way that works for them. MVA is designed as an affordable alternative to traditional education, offering thousands of students the chance to thrive outside conventional systems.

Hugh’s educational philosophy prioritises student wellbeing, confidence and interdisciplinary learning, ensuring that when students are happy, success follows. His dedication to this mission has led his organisation to multiple prestigious awards, including the Grand Prix prize at the Education Investor Awards in 2021, Best Technology-Led Teaching at the Muddy Stilettos Best School Awards, and Best Company in the UK with under 50 employees at the National Business Awards. In 2024, Minerva won three awards, including Tutoring Business of the Year and Online School of the Year at the National Tutoring Awards. Minerva again won the same two awards in 2025, completing a historic “double-double” at the NTAs. In 2025, MVA has been nominated for the World’s Best School Prize in the Innovation category, and Hugh has been nominated for Global Entrepreneur of the Year at the Great British Entrepreneur Awards. The winner of both awards is due to be announced in late 2025.