Education Recruitment

Education Recruitment

We support education organisations and charities across the UK with executive search, leadership and governance recruitment for permanent and interim roles.

Leadership in education

Education changes lives and creates opportunities for people at every stage of life. Schools, colleges, universities and wider education and skills organisations play an important role in supporting learners and the communities they serve.

Across the sector, financial pressures and ongoing policy reform are creating difficult decisions for leaders, who must respond to immediate demands while planning for the future.

Strong leadership and governance help organisations make those decisions while staying focused on their purpose and the people they serve. Whether supporting young people in schools, students in higher education or adults developing new skills, education leaders have a responsibility to maintain quality and ensure their organisations remain sustainable.

We work with education organisations and charities across the UK to recruit executive and interim leaders, board members and senior specialists who understand the challenges facing the sector and can lead their organisations forward.

Trusted by organisations across the sector

Our work in education

We support schools, multi-academy trusts, colleges, universities, awarding organisations, training providers, education and youth charities and students’ unions across the UK.

We've built relationships with leaders working across education, from academic and curriculum leadership through to executive teams, governing boards and specialist professional services functions. That helps us reach people who may not be actively looking for a new role but have the experience and understanding organisations need.

Every search begins with understanding your organisation, the people you serve and what you need from your next leader. We use that insight to guide our research and challenge assumptions that could unnecessarily limit the search.

Throughout the process, we work closely with you and the candidates we engage, providing honest advice and keeping everyone informed as the search progresses.

Specialist areas we support

Higher Education Recruitment

We recruit leaders and governors for universities and higher education institutions who can support academic excellence, strengthen organisational performance and respond to a changing higher education landscape.

Learn more about Higher Education Recruitment

Apprenticeship & Training Recruitment

We support awarding organisations, assessment organisations, examination and skills bodies to recruit leaders and board members who can strengthen quality, governance and organisational effectiveness.

How we support education organisations

Executive Recruitment

We recruit chief executives, principals, vice chancellors, directors and senior leaders who can respond to change, support their communities and create the conditions for learners and institutions to succeed.

We regularly recruit
  • • Chief Executives
  • • Principals, Deputy Principals, Vice Principals & Assistant Principals
  • • Vice Chancellors, Deputy Vice-Chancellors, Pro Vice-Chancellors, and Executive Deans
  • • Executive Directors
  • • Deputy Chief Executives
  • • Chief Operating Officers
  • • Chief Financial Officers
  • • Directors and Heads of Departments
Learn more about Executive Recruitment

Education Governance Recruitment

We support schools, colleges, universities, awarding bodies, students’ unions and charities with an education focused mission to appoint governors, trustees, chairs and governance professionals who strengthen oversight and support effective decision-making.

We regularly recruit
  • • Chairs
  • • Governors
  • • Trustees
  • • Committee Chairs
  • • Governance Professionals
Learn more about Governance Recruitment

Interim Leadership

We recruit experienced interim leaders who can provide stability during periods of change, support major projects and help education organisations maintain momentum while planning for the future.

We regularly recruit
  • • Finance
  • • People & Culture
  • • Marketing & Communications
  • • Student Services & SEND
  • • Curriculum & Quality
  • • Partnerships & Advancement
  • • Registry & Student Administration
  • • Governance, Legal & Compliance
  • • Estates & Facilities Management
  • • Apprenticeships & Industry Engagement
Learn more about Interim Leadership

Leadership and specialist roles we've supported

The appointments we support vary across the education sector, from executive leadership and governance roles through to specialist operational and academic positions. We help education organisations recruit people who can strengthen institutions, support learners and improve outcomes.

Roles we recruit

Functional leadership

  • Finance
  • People & Culture
  • Marketing & Communications
  • Student Services & SEND
  • Curriculum & Quality
  • Partnerships & Advancement
  • Registry & Student Administration
  • Governance, Legal & Compliance
  • Estates & Facilities Management
  • Apprenticeships & Industry Engagement

Governance leadership

  • Chairs
  • Governors
  • Trustees
  • Committee Chairs
  • Governance Professionals

Explore Education Recruitment

Education Charity Recruitment

We recruit chief executives, senior leaders and trustees for charities working across education, learning, skills and access to opportunity.

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Independent & International Schools Recruitment

We recruit heads, governors and senior professional services leaders for independent and international schools, including boarding, specialist and faith-based schools.

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Apprenticeship and Training Recruitment

Apprenticeship and Training Recruitment

Specialised apprenticeship and training recruitment services, connecting education organisations with exceptional leaders.

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Awarding & Assessment Organisation Recruitment

Awarding & Assessment Organisation Recruitment

Specialist recruitment for awarding and assessment organisations, professional bodies and organisations responsible for qualifications and standards.

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Colleges & Further Education Recruitment

Colleges & Further Education Recruitment

We recruit executive leaders and managers, board members and interim professionals for FE colleges, sixth form colleges, specialist providers and further education organisations across the UK.

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Governors for Colleges

Governors for Colleges

Find skilled, diverse governors for colleges and sixth forms with expert board recruitment tailored to further education.

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Higher Education Recruitment

Higher Education Recruitment

We recruit executive leaders, governors and senior specialists for universities and higher education providers across the UK, from Russell Group and post-92 universities to specialist institutions.

Learn more
Schools & Academy Trusts Recruitment

Schools & Academy Trusts Recruitment

We recruit executive and interim leaders, trustees and senior specialists for academy trusts, schools, faith-based trusts and specialist education providers across the UK.

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Advancement Recruitment

Advancement Recruitment

Our tailored approach to advancement recruitment enables your team to deliver philanthropic growth and societal change.

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Students' Union Recruitment

Students' Union Recruitment

We recruit Chief Executives, senior leaders, trustees and interim leaders for students' unions across the UK, combining extensive recruitment experience with first-hand understanding of the sector.

Learn more

Selected track record

Leadership appointments

Coventry College Principal & Chief Executive Officer
Education Partnership North East Group Chief Executive
Gateway Qualifications Chief Executive Officer
Inspire Education Group Group Principal & Chief Executive Officer
Innovate Awarding Managing Director
Institute of Law Jersey Dean & Chief Executive Officer (Interim & Permanent)
Lincoln Bishop University Vice Chancellor & Chief Executive Officer; Deputy Vice Chancellor (Operations)
National Institute of Teaching Chief Executive Officer; Chief Operating Officer
Nottingham College Chief Executive & Principal
Skills and Education Group Chief Executive Officer; Senior Leadership Appointments

Board appointments

Alpha Academies Trust Chair; Trustees
Arts University Plymouth Chair of the Board
Brunel University Council Members
Coventry College Chair; Governors
Education Partnership North East Chair; Governors
Gateway Qualifications Trustees
Lantra Trustees
MidKent College Chair; Governors
NCFE Trustees
New City College Chair; Governors

Specialist appointments

Birmingham City University Assistant Director, Apprenticeship Development & Employer Engagement
Chartered Institute of Building Chief Operating Officer; Senior Leadership Appointments
Energy & Utility Skills / Energy & Environment Awards Senior Management Appointments
Kaplan Assessment Director of Product
Leeds Trinity University Executive Dean (Academic)
Robinson College, University of Cambridge Domestic Bursar; Development Director
University of Derby Associate Provost & Head of Industry Engagement; Director of Student & Academic Services; Head of the School of Arts, Humanities & Journalism; Head of Postgraduate Recruitment
WJEC Director of Product

Meet the team

Case studies

View all
Case study: Chief Executive Officer recruitment | Central England Academy Trust

Case study: Chief Executive Officer recruitment | Central England Academy Trust

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Case study: Chief Executive Officer recruitment | St Cuthbert’s Roman Catholic Multi-Academy Trust

Case study: Chief Executive Officer recruitment | St Cuthbert’s Roman Catholic Multi-Academy Trust

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Case study: Chief Operating Officer recruitment | Confederation of School Trusts

Case study: Chief Operating Officer recruitment | Confederation of School Trusts

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Case study: Council Member recruitment | Newcastle University

Case study: Council Member recruitment | Newcastle University

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Let's work together

Whether you're recruiting a principal, chief executive, governor or interim leader, we'd be happy to talk through what your organisation needs.