Teach First has appointed James Toop, one of its original teaching cohort in 2003, as its new chief executive.
Mr Toop is a former CEO of the Ambition Institute and is currently the CEO of Bite Back, a youth activist movement focussing on the food system.
He is also the chair of the multi-academy trust, Orion Education.
He will replace Russell Hobby CBE, who has led the organisation since 2017 and is to step down in the summer of 2025.
Teach First, which was launched in 2003, was set up to place high-performing graduates into challenging schools.
Mr Hobby and Mr Toop will work together during the transition period until the incoming CEO officially takes over later this year.
Teach First said that Mr Toop will bring “exceptional leadership experience” to the role, as well as a “deep personal connection to the charity’s mission”.
Mr Toop said he was thrilled to be joining Teach First as its new CEO and that he is looking forward to working with his Mr Hobby through the transition.
“My experience as a teacher in the inaugural 2003 cohort deeply shaped my values, leadership and commitment to tackling educational inequality.”
Incoming CEO is an ‘outstanding choice’
Mr Hobby called Mr Toop an “outstanding choice” and commended his commitment to tackling education disadvantage as ”rock solid”.
Dame Vivian Hunt, chair of Teach First, echoed Mr Hobby’s comments.
“His career has been committed to building leaders and organisations to close the gap in educational disadvantage and other forms of inequality.”
“His journey is a powerful testament to the exceptional leaders that Teach First has nurtured over the past two decades and we’re excited to work with him in furthering our impact.”
She extended her thanks to Mr Hobby on behalf of Teach First “for his tireless service”.
The charity launched its new strategy to take it to 2030 last year, unveiling plans to recruit and train 10,000 new teachers, launching and scaling school-centred initial teacher training “to create a further 4,000 teachers”, and aiming to develop almost 25,000 early career teachers.
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