This week’s movers and shakers include an animal lover, a kinship carer, a musician, a former lawyer and an ice hockey fan. This column is our fortnightly guide to who is moving where in the schools community. We are keen to hear about appointments at a senior level. Please send submissions for this section to news@schoolsweek.co.uk with ‘Movers and shakers’ in the subject line. Zoe Levitt Executive director of education, Consilium Academies Start date: April Current job: Director of education secondary, Lift Schools Interesting fact: Zoe has a soft spot for animals, owning two cats and two dogs, and is the proud owner of 286 cookbooks (yes, really!). She is currently walking to complete Yorkshire’s Wolds Way. Clive Lawrence Member of the education honours committee Start date: February Concurrent job: Chief education officer, Esteem Multi-Academy Trust Interesting fact: Clive is a kinship carer for his niece, further strengthening his commitment to championing inclusion and equity for all children. Having grown up in social housing and experienced disadvantage firsthand, he understands the transformative power of education. Susie Babar Chief people officer, E-ACT Start date: February Current job: Head of HR (UK) at international law firm Simmons & Simmons Interesting fact: From the courtroom to the classroom – Susie, a former lawyer turned HR leader, brings 20 years of expertise to education, finally joining her teacher siblings (to the delight of her mum). Matthew Evans Chief executive, The Athelstan Trust Start date: September Current job: Headteacher, Farmor’s School, Swindon Interesting fact: Matthew was once the vocalist in a band called The Brainwashed Caterpillar. However, a socialist working men’s club once accidentally billed them as ‘The Brainwashed Capitalists’. It didn’t go down well. Also, the exit music at his wedding was the theme song of Darth Maul from Star Wars. Dave Ellison-Lee Chief executive, Rise multi-academy trust Start date: February Former job: Interim CEO, Rise Interesting fact: Dave is a big ice hockey fan and a season ticket holder for Nottingham Panthers. He’s also travelled to the US to watch National Hockey League games.
Ben Dover 21 February 2025 When employees of International Law Firms are moving into education you know that salary structures are all wrong in education