Ark announces new CEOs to replace Lucy Heller

Ark, one of the biggest multi-academy trusts, has announced that two new CEOs will replace Lucy Heller, who will step down after 22 years with the organisation.

Patrick Wall, co-founder of the Centre for Education Systems (CES), will be the chief executive of Ark Schools from September.

And Katie Oliver, currently the trust’s director of ventures and managing director of its nurseries, will lead Ark’s charitable arm.

Ms Heller (pictured below) will leave at the end of the academic year. She joined in 2004 as the founding director of Ark Schools, becoming CEO of both the charitable foundation and multi-academy trust in 2012.

In a wide-ranging interview with Tes last week, Ms Heller gave her views on the education system, politics and the post-Covid period in schools.

Ark operates 16 primaries, 16 secondaries and seven all-through schools, educating around 30,000 pupils across England.

Leadership responsibilities split at Ark

Mr Wall is currently a director of CES, an organisation supporting education policymaking. This includes working with the Department for Education on its special educational needs and disabilities reforms.

He was the chair of governors for Ark Academy Wembley for 14 years, from 2009 to 2023.

Mr Wall is a former fellow of social mobility charity The Sutton Trust, and also founded Target Schools, the University of Oxford’s first access programme, in 1982.

Before entering the education sector, he founded Metapack, a shipping and delivery software company.

Tina Alexandrou, chair of the board for Ark Schools, said: “Patrick Wall is a longstanding champion of Ark Schools, and we are delighted that he will now take up the reins at the trust.

“Patrick has a deep understanding and knowledge of education, a passion for the mission and a track record for leading organisations through growth, innovation and operational transformation - all of which will be invaluable as Ark Schools seeks to increase its impact over the coming years.”

Ms Oliver will continue to oversee the trust’s nursery network, Ark Start, as well as Ark’s national curriculum and teacher training partnerships.

She has been at Ark for 20 years in various roles.

Ian Wace, chair of the board at Ark’s charitable arm, said: “Katie Oliver is an established leader with deep organisational knowledge, a passion for equitable education and a relentless drive for meaningful system change.

“We are confident that, working together, Katie and Patrick will build on Lucy’s incredible legacy.”