Andy Barnett has been appointed chief executive officer of Delta Academies Trust, one of the country’s biggest multi-academy trusts.
Mr Barnett, previously Delta’s associate chief executive, succeeds Sir Paul Tarn, who earlier this year announced he would be stepping down at the end of the 2024-25 academic year.
Delta is now a 63-school trust after the six schools formerly part of Coast and Vale Learning Trust transferred to the larger MAT.
Mr Barnett was previously a principal at one of the trust’s secondaries before moving up to become director of education and deputy CEO. He called his appointment a “privilege”.
New CEO identified as an ‘outstanding candidate’
“Over the last 10 years, under Sir Paul’s leadership and thanks to a remarkable team effort across our whole organisation, Delta has established itself as a trust that is academically strong and financially secure,” he said.
“I am looking forward to building on what has been achieved to date and continuing to give children and young people the education they deserve to lead successful lives.”
Sir Paul, who was knighted this year in the King’s Birthday Honours, had led the trust since 2016.
Steve Hodsman, chair of trustees at Delta, said: “Andy was identified during the appointment process as the outstanding candidate to lead our trust.
“He has done a superb job at Delta for many years and is the perfect person to build on what has been achieved since 2016. We wish him every success and know he will do a great job.”
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