Sarah Atkins-Boal

With over 25 years of experience in both the corporate and education sectors, including roles in training, HR, student services, and work-based learning, Sarah Atkins-Boal brings a wealth of expertise to her position as Head of Further Education Appointments at Peridot Partners.

Sarah has over two decades of experience in further education, most recently as Student Experience Manager at a college in the East Midlands, where she oversaw careers, admissions, work experience, student welfare, and safeguarding. Her experience also includes managing ESF projects and delivering workplace skills and qualifications.

She joined Peridot in 2018, finding great satisfaction in her move from the education sector to recruiting leaders within it. She particularly enjoys partnering with colleges to improve their quality, delivery, and finances through strategic and transformative appointments.

At Peridot, Sarah quickly established herself as the go-to consultant for board and leadership appointments in the FE sector, forging strong relationships with leadership teams and governance professionals nationwide. She has successfully led executive search campaigns for high-profile positions at numerous colleges, including City of Bristol College, West Nottinghamshire College, and Halesowen College, among others. She has also appointed over 250 non-executive board members, chairs, trustees, and governors, seeking talented and motivated people from within the education sector and from wider commercial sectors.

Sarah's commitment to education extends beyond her professional role; she served as Chair of Toot Hill School & Sixth Form, her former secondary school and an Ofsted Good provider in Nottinghamshire. Outside of work, she enjoys family walks on the beach and relaxing with a glass of wine. Sarah is trained in safer recruitment and advises on best practices in line with KCSIE.