This week’s movers and shakers include a keen surfer, DJ manager, two runners and a leader who marks wedding anniversaries with his wife by getting remarried.
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.
Stephen Morales, chair at East Midlands Academy Trust
Start date: October
Concurrent role: chief executive, Institute of School Business Leadership
Interesting fact: Stephen is a keen surfer but missed the best surf conditions in a decade to attend his interview as bursar at Watford Grammar School for Girls nearly 20 years ago.
Sophie Kayani, director of external relations at E-ACT
Start date: September
Previous role: Head of strategic partnerships, E-ACT
Interesting fact: Sophie used to manage DJs in the 90s, worked in Athens for a Greek shipping magnet family as an au pair and had to organise a piano to be shipped into the basement of a restaurant in Chelsea for Li Ka-shing, the Asian billionaire, to play.
Phil Humphreys, chief education officer at GLF Schools
Start date: January, 2026
Previous role: Director of education, Lift Schools
Interesting fact: Each year on their wedding anniversary, Phil and his wife get remarried. A full ceremony with a wedding dress, the works.
They’ve been remarried on a gondola in Venice, a Transylvanian castle with Vlad the Impaler overseeing proceedings and, during Covid, in a capsule on the London Eye with the vicar on Teams.
Patrick Alexander, chief executive officer at Schools Alliance for Excellence
Start date: November
Previous role: Interim assistant director, Hackney Education
Interesting fact: Patrick had a tough day at the London marathon this year, after failing to spot a very low kerb just before the Cutty Sark.
Alas, he did not get the time he wanted, but would like to make clear that he still finished ahead of John Terry.
Nick Stevens, chief operating officer at AQA exam board
Start date: November
Previous role: Chief finance and corporate services officer, AQA
Interesting fact: Nick’s main running partner is a Jack Russell called Cookie
Liz Murray, SEND director Supporting Education Group
Start date: September
Previous role: Director of SEND, Star Academies
Interesting fact: Liz’s learning career began in Japan, where she taught English as a foreign language at a Tokyo conversation school after graduation. She then worked for a couple of years in the learning and development department of an investment bank in the city before returning to the UK with a teaching career firmly in her sights.
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