Heather Styche-Patel

Heather has extensive knowledge of the company, our services and our people and has worked at RSAcademics since 2014 after researching and writing our first Ten Trends report as a freelancer.  She joined as Head of Strategic Marketing and Research and more recently has led our Consultancy Services practice and our Commercial Appointments team.  Heather assumed the role of CEO in September 2023.

Alongside this, Heather has extensive consultancy experience and is highly regarded by the senior leaders and Governors with whom she has worked. Her consultancy work has involved leading projects for both independent schools and state schools and she has a thorough understanding of the ways in which schools and their boards operate. Heather has orchestrated numerous large-scale projects, including strategic reviews; qualitative and quantitative research studies, rebranding programmes; development and fundraising reviews and change management initiatives.

Prior to joining RSAcademics, Heather spent 15 years working in Higher Education and was a Faculty Manager and then Director of Marketing and Market Development at the University of Surrey.  She has held the position of Bursar in an independent school and was also a Business Manager at an Academy.  Heather studied Law & German at university and holds an MBA from Henley Management College.

Heather is also Vice-Chair of Governors at Royal Grammar School Guildford and is a Trustee of the not-for-profit Whole Education.