By Jayne Foster - CEO, Ethos Academy Trust 

 

Ethos Academy Trust is entering a period of change as it prepares for a new CEO for the first time since its formation in 2018. As the founding CEO of the trust, and having spent almost 20 years in leadership roles within the academies that are members of the trust, the decision to retire was always going to be a difficult one. Along with my personal challenge of finding the right point to leave my career, and such a monumental part of my life, I have always felt an enormous sense of responsibility to my colleagues and obviously to our children and the families we serve. I was hoping there would be a natural and obvious point at which I would feel it was the right time but, on reflection, I am not convinced there is ever a perfect time. However, after weathering the storms post-COVID that hit our school communities hard, and having risen to the challenges presented due to significant funding cuts over the past 24 months, last December I felt we were in a good place to manage a change in leadership. Furthermore, our recent success in acquiring two brand new special free schools (due to open in September 2027) is not only a testament to our reputation as a safe and credible specialist trust, and a boost for us all, I saw it as an added attraction for my successor.

Part of our initial five-year strategy was to think about our communications and find ways to challenge and change the negative narrative and perceptions that often thwart our sector. Through shining spotlights on our daily triumphs, no matter how big or small, and through regular communication with all of our stakeholders across many different platforms, we have all seen the positive power of effective and consistent communication. We have also come to understand that this doesn’t just happen by accident – it takes a considerable amount of time and planning.

Therefore, my immediate action was to share my thinking with my trusted chair of trustees and enlist the support of our external comms advisor at Papillon Communications, Katie Whirledge, to help develop an all-encompassing communications plan. Having the faith and trust in these two people to support such a huge decision was invaluable to me.

We created a matrix including all stakeholders, key messages, methods of communication, and essential timings to ensure my retirement announcement landed well. It was really important that this message coincided with, and supported, the recruitment of our new CEO and would provide reassurance to all.  

No one is irreplaceable, and I was under no illusion that I was indispensable, but as a specialist Trust of AP and special schools, there was uncertainty about how easy it would be  – or, how long it would take - to appoint a new CEO. I therefore gave a full year’s notice, in the hope that this would be more than enough time to find and appoint the right person to take the trust forward and allow for a thorough handover. As the year unfolded, the long notice period became critical. After an extensive search, the first round of interviews conducted in the spring proved unsuccessful. For all stakeholders at that point, the vital role of clear communication was reinforced. This was no time for making knee-jerk decisions that wouldn’t be right for the trust long-term. Therefore, our messaging focused once again on reassurance: ie the commitment of the Board to make the right appointment and the comfort of a significant amount of time within which to achieve the desired outcome.

Thankfully, the second attempt at recruitment resulted in the appointment of a strong and vibrant candidate, who not only has the skills and experience required, but whose vision and values also align with the values and culture of Ethos Academy Trust. Again, following the appointment, clear and regular communications with internal and external stakeholders have played a key role. The implementation of plans for our new CEO, Chris Davis, has begun. He has already met with the Trust team and has a steady timetable of academy visits and introductory meetings scheduled ahead of his official start date in January 2025. For all parties, this period of transition is proving successful. There is ample time and plenty of opportunities for everyone to establish an effective way forward and to start to build the strong, effective, and transparent relationships that are so vital to our Ethos community.

For me, it is with mixed feelings that I leave my role and watch the team I have been part of for so long begin a new chapter. But what I am extremely proud of, and reassured by, is that I am leaving Ethos Academy Trust in a good place, and in very capable hands, at a wonderfully exciting time for all.