Chair

Lift Schools is a network of 57 primary, secondary, and special schools dedicated to ensuring every child receives the best state education possible, regardless of background, geography or ability. We want to see every child fulfil their potential - at school and beyond.

As one of the largest multi-academy trusts in England, we educate over 34,000 pupils and employ 4,000 staff across the country. From Middlesbrough in the North to Devon in the West, Essex in the East, and the Isle of Wight in the South, our schools are united by a shared commitment: that every child is entitled to an excellent education, in every classroom, every day.

Our schools are distinguished by their unwavering ambition for students, exceptional leadership, and the six Lift maxims, which ensure a well-rounded educational experience for our children. With a strong leadership team, led by chief executive Rebecca Boomer-Clark, we are excited for the next phase of our journey and the ambitious goals ahead.

Lift Schools is seeking a new chair of trustees to help drive our mission of an excellent education to every child, in every classroom, every day. Candidates should have a proven track record in senior leadership as a chair or a senior trustee/director, with the ability to develop strategy, lead a team of directors, and build a strong relationship with the chief executive. Our next chair will understand how best to support the chief executive in their high-profile, visible role and will be committed to the promotion of Lift's mission and values.

The chair will play a key role in overseeing the board's strategic direction, governance, and compliance. They will also collaborate closely with the chief executive and the wider leadership team to strengthen the relationship between the board and Lift staff.

The incoming chair will bring expertise in governance and the interpersonal skills required to foster effective, trusting relationships with both the leadership team and wider board. Proven leadership in a non-executive capacity, with the ability to communicate complex issues with clarity, is essential. While prior leadership experience in education is not required, a strong passion for the advancement of state education and the promotion of inclusive practices, such as social mobility, is critical.

Ideally the chair will have significant experience within sectors that hold values that are strongly aligned with education - specifically the school trusts and broader state sector. The chair must also bring a strong understanding of the importance of safeguarding.

For further details, including the job description, person specification, and information on how to apply, please visit quoting reference number 7685.

Candidates wishing to apply should submit a CV (including comprehensive details of key achievements and responsibilities) along with a covering letter which fully addresses the competencies outlined in the role description and person specification.

The closing date for applications is 9:00am (GMT) on Monday 3rd February 2025.

Lift Schools will be supported in this appointment by executive search firm Perrett Laver. Any initial enquiries should be directed to please contact Edoardo Vachez at .

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Inclusion

Perrett Laver believes that excellence will be achieved through recognising the value of every individual. A broad range of perspectives, backgrounds and opinions amongst our global community of colleagues is crucial in maintaining our culture of openness, intellectual curiosity, and creativity. We take an active role in supporting under-represented communities and groups in becoming better and more fairly represented in the leadership of all organisations. We also know that diverse and inclusive teams have a positive impact on our ability to identify, engage and secure candidates from these groups.

Our commitment to inclusion across race, gender, age, religion, sexual orientation, identity, and experience drives us every day - for clients, for candidate identification and in the recruitment, development and retention of colleagues.

To ensure inclusion on the basis of age, disability, ethnic or national origin, family circumstance, gender, gender identity, marital status, nationality, political or religious beliefs, race, socioeconomic background, sexual orientation, we would like to specifically invite applications from under-represented groups.

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