Congratulations! Dr Jeffery Quaye is one of 10 experts chosen by DfE to form advisory group on MAT leader development

DfE names 10 members of new advisory group launched to improve multi-academy trust leadership.

The Department for Education has named the multi-academy trust leaders set to advise officials on the creation of a “world-class” leadership scheme.

According to a release from the DfE today, the expert advisory group will support the department in delivering its White Paper commitments and “create a world-class professional development offer” for MAT chief executive officers.

The targets set out in March’s Schools White Paper include having all schools converted to MATs by 2030.

The advisory group on multi-academy trust leadership development

The group’s members are:

• Sir Nick Weller, CEO, Dixons Academies Trust (chair)
• Rebecca Boomer-Clark, CEO, Academies Enterprise Trust
• Leora Cruddas, CEO, Confederation of School Trusts
• Nikki Edwards, CEO, Bath and Wells Multi Academy Trust
• Stuart Lock, CEO, Advantage Schools
• Thomas Meakin, a partner at McKinsey and Company management consultants
• Jeffery Quaye, National Director of Education and Standards, Aspirations Academies Trust
• Dame Maura Regan, CEO, Bishop Hogarth Catholic Education Trust
• Paul Tarn, CEO, Delta Academies Trust
• David Tibble, chair of trustees, Inspiration Trust

Sir Nick Weller is set to vacate his current position as chair of Dixons Academies Trust to head up Academy Transformation Trust from 1 November.

Dr Quaye said he was delighted to be part of the advisory group. He said: “The aim of this group is to develop a framework that would offer a world-class leadership development package for multi-academy CEOs.

“Working with members of the expert group, we would ensure that the framework identifies the strong pillars needed to run a multi-academy trust and the knowledge, skills, and behaviours a CEO needs. Strong leadership is crucial to delivering high quality education to children.”

The DfE said that the advisory group will look at the following:

• The knowledge, skills and behaviours that individuals need to perform the role of CEO for large MATs.
• The scheme’s target audience, length and design.
• The delivery model required to meet the wider needs of the education sector.

The group is set to report its findings to ministers by the end of the year.

Rob Robson, trust leadership consultant for the Association of School and College Leaders (ASCL), welcomed the group’s formation, given the complex range of requirements for heading up MATs with differing size and geographical attributes.

He told TES & Schools Week: “The government wants to standardise the skills and knowledge needed to lead a trust as part of its plans to have every school in a MAT; this is not simple,” he said.

“There are many trusts of different shapes and sizes with a wide range of leaders, and this group has therefore been put together to offer ministers expert advice.

“We look forward to working with this group and offering our perspectives learnt from our own CEO programme designed by members for members.”