Academies are changing education by giving schools

greater autonomy. That change needs leadership and

academy trust boards across the country want senior

business people and professionals to join them as

pro bono non-executive directors or trustees.

Academy Ambassadors is a not-for-profit enterprise

set up to recruit high-calibre business people into

academy trust board roles.

Business leaders shaping the future for the next generation.

HISTORY OF ACADEMIESAcademies have seen enormous growth over the previous 4 years:

“From working with Nikki I firmly believe that there is a lot that the business world can bring to education. Through Nikki’s involvement we have successfully built the central services that will allow our trust to grow.”

Andrew Reese, CEO, Greenacre Academy Trust

“I’m very lucky in that my CEO is one of the best educationalists I’ve ever met and the education side of the academy trust is absolutely down to him. Where I can help is structuring the business side of things and

making sure the trust runs well financially.”

Nikki King OBE, former Managing Director of Isuzu Trucks and Chair of

Greenacre Academy Trust

An academy is a state funded school that is run by an independent charitable trust. Academies are directly

funded by the Department for Education and have control over their own finances. Academies have more

freedom over the curriculum, length of school day and pay and conditions for staff than local authority

maintained schools. Many of these schools are grouped together within multi-academy trusts (MATs).

WHAT IS AN ACADEMY?

200 Academies

5,000 + Academies

of children in England

are now educated in

academies.

2016

Trust boards across England are looking for high-calibre people ready to shape the future of their schools who can:

WHAT IS THE ROLE OF A NON-EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR AT AN ACADEMY TRUST?

“There are two big benefits to bringing business-people into academy trusts: performance and value for money. At the Educational Fellowship there is a clear mind-set of quick turnaround, particularly in terms of turning around failing schools.”

Robert Robertson, ex CEO of Tarmac Plc, & Trustee at The Education Fellowship Academy Trust.

Many outstanding business leaders and professionals are choosing to become trust board non-executives. They

gain huge satisfaction from building thriving new trusts; turning round failing schools and unleashing innovation in

free schools.

A role with an academy trust can offer a new challenge

whether you have retired from full time work or are looking

for continuing professional development opportunities. It

provides valuable experience and a different challenge

for those developing their board career.

As academies are covered by both company and charity law the role offers a unique opportunity to develop

leadership skills relevant to both private and third sector. You will therefore be gaining experience both as a

‘Non-Executive Director’ and a ‘Trustee.’

WHAT ARE THE REWARDS?

LEADERSHIP SKILLS CAN BE USED TO DIRECTLY IMPROVE THE

EDUCATION OF YOUNG PEOPLE.

lProvide strategic advice, including strategies

for business growth or consolidation. lGive robust independent challenge to school

leaders.lDedicate around four to eight hours per month

(four to twelve Board/Committee meetings per

year).

lChallenge the Chief Executive, Financial Director

and others to ensure that education and pastoral

standards in schools rise quickly and that

academy groups deliver value for money. lImprove financial stewardship of large multi-

academy trusts with budgets in excess of £10m to

£150m+/year.

“Corporate Britain has a huge role to play in education and particularly in bringing leadership skills and experience to academy trusts. At Ark we believe in giving every child an outstanding education and our school leaders are backed by an exceptional board in delivering that vision. I encourage academy trusts and business leaders to come together through Academy Ambassadors.”

Paul Marshall, Academy Ambassador and Chairman of Ark Schools

AT THE HEART OF THE WORK IS ALWAYS A DRIVE TO IMPROVE THE EDUCATION AND LIFE CHANCES OF YOUNG PEOPLE.

EMAIL: academyambassadors@newschoolsnetwork.org

PHONE : 020 7952 8476

ONLINE: www.academyambassadors.org/business-leaders

@academyamb www.linkedin.com/groups/8276471

HOW DO I GET INVOLVED?

Express your interest to Academy Ambassadors – send your CV including contact details

and your preferred location to academyambassadors@newschoolsnetwork.org or call

020 7952 8476.

Brief Academy Ambassadors about the type of trust that would fit your skills, location and interest.

You can view our available opportunities online and join the conversation on our Linkedin group.

Review potential trust matches. Since we only make introductions when location, skillset, ethos

and objectives are compatible, the matching process can take a matter of weeks or it could take a

number of months.

Meet the team at the trust and decide if the match could work in principle.

Go forward for interview

Connect: As a Non-Executive Director you join the Academy Ambassadors alumni; a network of

senior business leaders, including CEOs and professional partners who share their experiences

through events, mentoring and online.

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THE SMALL PRINTlThe time commitment is usually from about four

hours per month, comprising one meeting per

term plus preparation.

lSome non-executive directors choose to get

more involved by chairing a committee or local

governing body at an individual school.

lThe length of commitment varies and should

be agreed on appointment, however most trustees

choose to serve for about four years.

lAll positions recruited through Academy

Ambassadors are unremunerated although travel

expenses will be paid in some cases.

MANY LEADING EMPLOYERS ARE ALREADY INVOLVED, INCLUDING BT, HSBC, PWC, DAIRY CREST, SLAUGHTER AND MAY, MCKINSEY & COMPANY AND CMS CAMERON MCKENNA.

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