News feedNew board and management arrangements at EACT
Edutrust Academies Charitable Trust (EACT) has established a new board and revised its management arrangements following recommendations included in the DCSF review of the organisation’s governance and procedures, which was conducted between November 2008 and February 2009.
Sir Bruce Liddington, the former Schools Commissioner who joined EACT on February 1, 2009, has implemented the changes and will lead EACT’s academy programme as Director General, supported by Dr Krishna Sarda, EACT’s Chief Executive.
Lord Bhatia has stepped down as Chairman, director and as a member of EACT. The outgoing Board thanked Lord Bhatia for his leadership and commitment. He said: “I am confident that the new board and management team will take the planned academies forward and I wish them well.”
Responding to the DCSF review, Sir Bruce said the new board and management team have already implemented the key recommendations, including new governance arrangements and strengthening financial procedures and policies.
He said: “Our priority is to continue to lead and manage EACT academies as educational centres of excellence for all pupils where we focus on improving standards.
“Following the review, we have made necessary adjustments which have given us a clear way forward and we can concentrate on the task in hand. I am leading a new management team, which includes experienced educationalists who will support and deliver our academy programme. With the opening of our new academies this year we will create a step-change to help schools transform and improve.”
The new management arrangements at EACT include:
- A new board under existing vice chairman Noorzaman Rashid. Mr Rashid leads the government, public services, leadership and board practices at Harvey Nash Group plc
- Sir Bruce Liddington, as Director General of EACT, will join the board following amendments to the constitution. Other board members will be appointed in the next few weeks reflecting a wide range of expertise and relevant experience
- Revised governance arrangements, including a new audit committee
The Schools Secretary, Ed Balls, is expected to exercise his right to appoint a member of EACT to act as DCSF’s representative. EACT has formally disengaged from the founding organisation, British Edutrust Foundation.
Sir Bruce said: “I have used this opportunity to reassure the DCSF that EACT will comply with the very highest levels of corporate governance.”
The eight EACT academies scheduled to open in September will progress as planned. Funding agreements for two of EACT’s proposed academies in Birmingham - Heartlands and Shenley - are expected to be finalised in the next few days. EACT is scheduled to open new academies in September in London, Birmingham, Sheffield and Leeds.
Sir Bruce said: “We are now in a good position to move forward and I am encouraged by the strong support for our new structures and procedures that we have received from the DCSF. Our overriding priority is the development of the next set of academies and that’s what we’re concentrating on.”
Ends
Note to editors:
1: The eight EACT academies scheduled to open in September 2009:
London:
John Kelly Boys’, Brent
John Kelly Girls’, Brent
Birmingham:
College High
Heartlands
Shenley Court
Sheffield:
Parkwood
Leeds:
Intake
2: EACT’s first academy, Trent Valley in Gainsborough, Lincolnshire, opened in September 2008. It moves to a new £33 million academy building in September this year. In 2010 EACT plans to open a new academy in Oldham. Discussions are currently taking place regarding other potential academies in 2010.
3: Sir Bruce Liddington joined EACT on February 1, 2009. The former Schools Commissioner was a key adviser on the Government’s academy programme as a senior civil servant between 1999 and 2008. As a headteacher, he transformed the failing Northampton school for Boys into one of the country’s most successful state schools. He qualified as a teacher after graduating from Queen Mary College, University of London.
4: For media inquiries contact:
EACT media office: 0207 426 8976/ 0207 426 8950