Senior Management Team
The leadership team responsible for the day-to-day running and strategic direction of Paces Sheffield.
Our Leadership Team
Click on any team member’s photo to read their full biography.
Ruth Liu
Chief Executive Officer
I graduated from Keele University with a degree in Conductive Education and Psychology with Qualified Teacher Status in 2002. I began my career working in a Conductive Education school in Staffordshire before relocating to Huddersfield in 2010. In February 2017, I joined Paces, leading the sessional programme and contributing to the adult services provision.
I moved into Paces School in September 2018 and was appointed Headteacher in October 2019. In July 2023, I became Head of Conductive Education, renewing my involvement with adult services alongside my leadership of the school. Most recently, I have taken on the role of Director of Services, with strategic responsibility for the whole charity.
I am deeply passionate about Conductive Education and am committed to providing a nurturing, aspirational environment where individuals of all ages are empowered to develop independence, confidence, and a lifelong love of learning. Over the past 10 years Paces has become such an important part of my life, and I am extremely proud of everything that we have achieved. It is an absolute privilege to support such a special group of children, young people and adults. I am excited to continue to help shape the future of Paces and drive forward its vision and impact.
Outside of work, I enjoy spending time with my three children and supporting their hobbies — from cheering on the football sidelines to watching dance rehearsals and performances.
Tom Lane
Operations Director
I work on the practical side of big ideas here at Paces supporting the school and adult services, helping our organisation grow in ways that are financially sound, thoughtful, and sustainable. My work often focuses on long-term planning, complex strategic decisions, and supporting our school and adult services as they expand and evolve.
My background includes leading large operational teams across a number of sectors, giving me a strong understanding of what it takes to manage complexity, support people well, and deliver consistently at scale. I lean heavily on this experience in my work with Paces, ensuring that strategy and financial planning are grounded in operational reality and focused on what genuinely works for staff, pupils, and families.
My commitment to Paces is also deeply personal. My wife, Becky, has worked at Paces for over 17 years, and through her I’ve seen first-hand the impact the organisation has on pupils and their families. We’ve also provided respite care at home for pupils of Paces, past and present, which has only strengthened my belief in the importance of compassionate, high-quality support and long-term thinking. This closeness gives me a strong sense of responsibility to do things properly and to help Paces succeed, now and into the future.
I’m people-focused, accountable, and guided by compassion in how I work, while holding myself and others to high standards. I believe excellence and success come from careful planning, honesty, and a genuine commitment to the people behind every decision.
Outside of work, I’m obsessed with golf, for my sins I’m a Liverpool FC Season Ticket holder, and spending time travelling abroad is usually how I recharge my batteries and gain perspective.
Lizzie Bell
Headteacher
Hello! I am Lizzie, the Headteacher at Paces School. I trained at Keele university, graduating as a Conductor-Teacher in 2002, and then began my career at Ingfield Manor School in West Sussex. During my 17 years at Ingfield I worked as a teacher-conductor across the primary and secondary age groups, as well as being an Assistant Head. From Ingfield, I moved to Sheffield in 2019 to take on the Deputy Head role and to teach in the Early Years department at Paces. I am passionate about making sure our pupils receive the high quality, holistic education they deserve, with Conductive Education at the heart of everything.
For the last 9 years, I have delivered the Conductor Assistant training to staff at Ingfield and Paces, as well as supporting many trainee conductors over the years as a practice tutor. In October 2021 I completed a MA in Conductive Education, researching the CE parent and child group for my dissertation and I am a visiting lecturer for the Conductive College in Birmingham.
Taking on the Headship at Paces is a dream role and one which I feel enormously grateful to have. There is something wonderfully unique about Paces as an organisation and the dedication it has to the development of the children and young people it serves.
When not at school, I love to travel and spend time outdoors. I like to run, and Sheffield has some beautiful countryside to run through- although I would never call myself a runner! My favourite thing however, is being an auntie to my amazing nephews and nieces.