Richard Backhouse
Head Designate – UK Appointments
Richard brings extensive experience of senior school leadership and sector influence to his role at RSAcademics.
Across his leadership career, Richard has developed a strong reputation for recruiting, developing and supporting high-performing staff and leadership teams. Known for his strategic clarity and calm, thoughtful approach, he brings deep understanding of the opportunities and complexities facing schools and governing bodies today.
He most recently served as Principal of the Berkhamsted Schools Group, having previously been Principal of Monkton Combe School. Earlier in his career, he held significant pastoral and co-curricular leadership roles at Bradfield College and started his career at Oundle School after reading Economics at Cambridge.
He served as Chair of HMC in 2021–22, is currently a trustee and director of the Wren Multi-Academy Trust, and has experience as a governor of independent schools, trustee of non-educational charities, and is a Non-Executive Director at Elevate Education (UK).