Movers and Shakers

Movers and shakers: Claire Heald, Derek Hills, Catherine Charnock, Rory Gribbell, Charles Byrne

Lord of the Rings superfan and former MasterChef contestant are among those starting new jobs

Lord of the Rings superfan and former MasterChef contestant are among those starting new jobs

This week’s movers and shakers include a Lord of the Rings superfan, a former MasterChef contestant and a national cricketer.

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.

Claire Heald

CEO at the Cam Academy Trust

Start date: June

Current/previous job: Director of Education at Academies Enterprise Trust

Interesting fact: Claire is a real sci-fi and fantasy nerd.

If you look really carefully, you will see in teeny-tiny print that she is credited for her geekery at the end of The Fellowship of the Ring film as a recognised Lord of the Rings superfan (along with several hundred others)!

Derek Hills

COO at Anthem Schools Trust

Start date: March 11

Current/previous job: Director of IT, systems and data at Ark Schools

Interesting fact: Derek was once a contestant on the MasterChef. After spending the night sleeping on the floor of a hospital in Tooting (as a visitor not a patient!), the filming took place early the next day. He got knocked out in the first round.

Catherine Charnock

Chief operating officer at Altus Education Partnership

Start date: April

Current/previous job: Business director at Manchester Hospital School

Interesting fact: Catherine loves to swim – anywhere she can. On an extended stay in Mexico, she swam for the Oaxacan swimming team, coming third (she thinks)!

Rory Gribbell

Rory Gribbell

Director of strategy and engagement, Ofsted

Start date: February

Current/previous job: Policy adviser at the Department for Education/seconded to Ofsted

Interesting fact: Rory used to play cricket for France, having grown up near Paris. He opened the bowling against cricketing powerhouses including Denmark, Germany, Belgium and Jersey.

Charles Byrne

CEO of the English-Speaking Union

Start date: March

Current/previous job: Director general of the Royal British Legion

Interesting fact: Charles’ ideal weekend is spent with his brothers, camping in their classic VW vans.

His love for the van life started at the age of six with a family adventure travelling from London to Athens to hear Easter mass in the cathedral, passing through the snow-covered Alps along the way.

Latest education roles from

Head of Safeguarding & Wellbeing

Head of Safeguarding & Wellbeing

Capital City College Group

Head of Welfare and Student Finance

Head of Welfare and Student Finance

Capital City College Group

Teaching and Learning Lead

Teaching and Learning Lead

London Borough of Lambeth

Headteacher

Headteacher

Northlands Primary School

Sponsored posts

Sponsored post

CPD Accreditation Among New Developments For The Inspiring Leadership Conference

As this year’s Inspiring Leadership Conference approaches, we highlight fives new initiatives and the core activities that make this...

SWAdvertorial
Sponsored post

Equity and agency for a changing world – how six core skills are transforming inclusive education

There is a familiar thread running through current government policy, curriculum reviews and public debate about education. We are...

SWAdvertorial
Sponsored post

Equitas: ASDAN’s new digital platform putting skills at the heart of learning

As schools and colleges continue to navigate increasingly complex learning needs, the demand for flexible, skills-focused provision has never...

SWAdvertorial
Sponsored post

Bett UK 2026: Learning without limits

Education is humanity’s greatest promise and our most urgent mission.

SWAdvertorial

More from this theme

Movers and Shakers

GLF names new CEO after Drinkall departure

The 43-school MAT is set to be run by former principal private secretary to three education secretaries

Jack Dyson
Movers and Shakers

Movers and shakers: PTI, Lift, Camden Learning, Windsor

This week's movers and shakers include a keen horse rider, a board game enthusiast, a hiker and a football...

Schools Week Reporter
Movers and Shakers

David Ross academy trust names new CEO

Interim boss Simon Rose takes over the reins after the trust was forced into CEO rethink

Jack Dyson
Movers and Shakers

Movers and shakers: E-ACT, Astrea, Broad Horizons, EMET

This week’s movers and shakers include a football expert, keen roller skater, board game designer and flag blogger

Schools Week Reporter

Your thoughts

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *