Chief Executive Officer – King Edward VI Foundation and Academy Trust in Birmingham

This is a unique opportunity for a highly talented leader to join this influential educational charity, which educates over 13,000 students across Birmingham. For January 2027, King Edward VI Foundation, Birmingham is a prestigious and progressive educational charity that has supported excellence in education across the city since 1552. The Foundation is rich with stories of lives transformed through educational experience and opportunity, and it is tremendously proud of its outstanding outcomes for young people.

United by a shared mission of ‘making Birmingham the best place to be educated in the UK’, the Foundation and Academy Trust combine historic strength with modern ambition and today comprise two independent schools, six grammar schools and six comprehensive schools. It is recognised as one of the highest-achieving groups of schools in the UK.

The Foundation is seeking to appoint a truly exceptional CEO to take over from Jodh Dhesi at the end of his distinguished tenure. This is a rare opportunity for a skilled and experienced individual with a strong track record in strategic delivery and organisational leadership.

The next CEO will lead the Foundation through an exciting period of strategic change and development. The successful candidate will be a strategic and visionary leader, aligned with the values and ethos of the Foundation, able to add real value to the Foundation and its future, and with the skills to motivate and inspire both within and beyond the organisation.

For a confidential initial conversation, please contact:

The deadline for receipt of applications is Monday 27th April UK time. Applications should be made electronically to RSAcademics. To submit your application, please click on “Apply Now” and upload your documents according to the instructions provided.

You should submit the following (both in PDF format):

• a completed application form
• a covering letter addressed to Erica Conway, incoming Chair of the Foundation. The letter should explain your reasons for applying.

If you have any questions about uploading your application documents, please contact Jonathan Barnes, Head of Operations (Leadership Appointments). Jonathan can also be reached by calling our Head Office on +44 (0) 204 6269 791.

We understand the need for confidentiality and all discussions and interviews will be handled with very careful regard to this. King Edward VI Foundation and Academy Trust is an equal opportunities employer and is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. Applicants must be willing to undergo child protection screening appropriate to the post, including checks with past employers and the Disclosure and Barring Service.

This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and the amendments to the Exceptions Order 1975, 2013 and 2020. The safeguarding responsibilities of the role are indicated in the candidate information. RSAcademics is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and to promoting diversity and inclusion in schools.

The closing date for applications is Monday 27th April UK time. Preliminary interviews will take place with RSAcademics via MS Teams during the week commencing Monday 4th May 2026. Long List interviews will take place online via MS Teams on Tuesday 19th May 2026. Selected candidates will be invited to visit the Foundation on Tuesday 2nd June 2026. Final interviews will take place in person on Monday 8th June 2026 (location to be confirmed).