The chief executive of a multi-academy trust that was officially reprimanded for its financial management and governance has quit.

Ian Cleland has resigned from the helm of the Academy Transformation Trust (ATT), which operates 21 schools in Norfolk, Suffolk, Essex and the Midlands.

A report from the Education Funding Agency, published in March, highlighted a series of concerns about finances and governance at the trust, including Mr Cleland’s decision to remove the chair of the trust, Stephen Tilsley, in November, after Mr Tilsley had put Mr Cleland on temporary leave.

The EFA report called for ATT to “urgently address” the “significant breaches” in governance frameworks it identified, “to ensure internal control arrangements within the trust are operating effectively and assure proper stewardship over public funds”.

In a statement, ATT said: “The board of directors has received a letter from Ian confirming that he is resigning from his post of CEO.  The board has accepted this.

“A transition strategy is being finalised and Ian is not carrying out any duties during this time. This decision was not influenced by any external parties. 

“Interim arrangements are in place with the trustees and executive team working closely together to ensure the smooth and effective leadership and management of the trust.”

It added that Mr Cleland had resigned as founder member of Academy Transformation Trust on 1 March 2017.

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