Strong governance plays a critical role in setting strategic direction, holding senior leaders to account and safeguarding your school’s long-term success. Whether you’re appointing a new Chair or broadening the skills and perspectives on your board, we help you find non-executive leaders who bring clarity, challenge and a deep commitment to your school’s future. 

Trusted to appoint non-executive leaders who make a difference

Chairs, Governors and Trustees set the tone for effective leadership, yet the right individuals can be difficult to find – especially when you’re looking for a mix of skills, perspectives and alignment with your school’s values. We support you in building a board that’s thoughtful, well-balanced and equipped to make a real difference.  

We help you:

  • Identify candidates with the right blend of experience and values.
  • Ensure a good fit with your school’s culture and strategic direction – while still providing challenge that helps you grow in the right direction.
  • Support the development of effective governance practices.

Whether you’re seeking fresh expertise, greater diversity or a stronger partnership between board and leadership, we will help you find the right people to shape your school’s future. 

Support, every step of the way

We take the time to understand your school and your board, so the process is thoughtful, supportive and genuinely collaborative – from first conversation to final appointment. 

Here’s what we typically provide: 

Consultation

Consultation

In-depth consultation with key stakeholders to define the role and objectives.

 

Role brief

Candidate Brief

Creation of a compelling candidate brief and targeted outreach strategy.

Global search

Search

Comprehensive, persuasive and imaginative search across sectors appropriate to the requirements of the role.

Preliminary Interviews

Preliminary Interviews

Preliminary interviews to assess candidates’ experience and alignment with your needs and ethos.

References

Candidate Profiles

Detailed candidate profiles and recommendations for your consideration.

Assessment

Interview Design

Support with interview design, including tasks and questions tailored to your context.

 

Assessment

Personality Assessments

Optional personality assessments to gain deeper insights into leadership styles.

Testing

Ongoing Support

Ongoing support throughout the final interviews, negotiations and onboarding process.

We’re here to guide you – thoughtfully, professionally and with your school’s best interests at heart, so you can appoint with confidence and clarity. 

Who we help

We’ve helped with leadership appointments spanning every type of school, in the UK and across the world, each with its own governance model and strategic priorities. We’re your experienced partners for appointing roles, including: 

  • Chairs
  • Governors
  • Trustees

Testimonial

FAQs

What is the process for trustee recruitment? 
Recruiting a trustee involves identifying the specific skills and experiences needed on your board, crafting a compelling role description and reaching out to potential candidates through targeted networks. It is essential to ensure alignment with your school’s values and to provide a clear understanding of the trustee’s responsibilities and expectations. 

How does diversity impact the effectiveness of educational boards? 
Diverse boards bring a range of perspectives, experiences and skills, leading to more robust decision-making and better representation of the communities they serve. In the context of education, diversity can enhance cultural understanding, promote inclusivity and improve outcomes for all stakeholders. 

Can you help us find a non-executive director with experience outside the education sector? 
Absolutely. We always look beyond the education sector, providing boards with a strong range of candidates that have commercial, legal, creative, charity or financial backgrounds, among others. Through our tailored search process, we identify individuals who not only broaden your board’s perspective but also understand and value the unique context of schools. 

 

Build the board your school deserves

We’re here to help you appoint non-executive leaders who bring the right mix of challenge, care and experience. 

Meet our non-executive appointments experts

Team

Explore our specialist appointment services

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UK Non-executive leadership appointments

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