James Roberts

Overall strategic leadership of one of the largest educational services companies in the UK with an annual turnover of ~ £25m. Successfully launching the company moving c400 staff from their previous roles in local government to a new commercial entity - driving the strategic direction and culture. Delivering education services for and on behalf of the Local Authority, with an annual cost saving of over £2m and enhanced standards across all service areas. Exceeding net profit targets annually through securing new business and driving efficiency savings - over £1m ahead of challenging business case projections. Overcame substantial income loss during the Covid pandemic (c£3m) to secure company sustainability with minimal impact on bottom line targets, retaining the agility to rapidly recover service activity on removal of restrictions. Ensuring the company has an energetic marketing strategy to drive market growth and new product development, as evidenced by the levels of new income achieved. Expanded and penetrated new markets outside the local authority, securing new contracts in neighbouring areas, leading to business stability and sustainability. Achieved new income of over £7m in the first four accounting periods.

Working with the CEO to successfully drive transformational change across the Innoventures Education group of all-through schools and nurseries; eradicating silos while standardising procedures and practices across the group through setting up the School Development Unit. Supporting school Principals at all phases of education to develop, realise and maintain the very highest standards of classroom practice, student attainment & progress, and leadership & management systems. Leading internal quality assurance systems to meticulously review school effectiveness: preparing schools for the annual DSIB inspection cycle and curricular authorisation/accreditation visits; and providing support to school leaders during each process. Devising a robust Performance Management policy and procedures across the group, providing guidance and challenge to Principals on the development of self-evaluation practices, contributing to accurate identification of school improvement priorities and intervention programmes. Providing support and challenge to School Principals on the development of robust self-evaluation practices, contributing directly to the accurate identification of school improvement priorities and intervention programmes. Securing improvements to the quality of leadership and management in all schools through the development and delivery of bespoke professional development programmes at all levels of leadership. Leading Dubai International Academy to Outstanding status within 18 months, a framework aligned tightly to OfSTED standards.

Strategic leadership and organisational development of this large vocational boarding school for over 1500 students and over 300 staff. Highly proficient budget management (~£30m) to ensure effective deployment of services and resources. Managing school expansion and site development to meet the future capacity of 2000 students. Leading staff and curriculum development through robust quality assurance processes and school improvement planning.Enhancing the quality of teaching & learning through the implementation of robust QA procedures, and development of the culture and processes conducive for effective performance management. Utilising refined skills in negotiation with business leaders: creating secure partnerships with local, national and multinational companies (doubling the number of active MOUs) to increase sponsorship and employment opportunities for students, ensuring a 100% graduate employment rate. Embracing additional responsibilities as Project Manager / Principal Designate for a flagship, new-build school, leading staff and student recruitment, developing a one-device-per-child e-learning scheme, and subsequent transformation of classrooms and site infrastructure.