Ali is Head of Policy and Innovation (Education) at the Social Mobility Commission. The Social Mobility Commission has a remit to promote and monitor social mobility and to provide advice to ministers on request on matters pertaining to social mobility. Ali’s role is to lead on policy and research as it relates to education – particularly early years, schools and higher education. Prior to working at the Commission Ali taught modern languages at various schools in Yorkshire and led the establishment of a new sixth form academy in Sheffield which opened in 2014, where he was Deputy Head Teacher. Ali has a particular interest in geographical disparities in equality and social mobility.