Education secretary Michael Gove has appointed Frank Green, chief executive of the Leigh Academies Trust, as the new schools commissioner. 

In his new role, Mr Green (pictured) will be charged with selling the benefits of the academy and free school programmes to schools up and down the country. 

Mr Gove and his ministers have been very pleased with the take up of academy status among secondary schools, but the movement has faltered somewhat among the primary sector. 

The Department for Education is increasingly keen for primary schools to become academies to bolster the proportion of schools that operate as state independents.

Mr Green, a former science teacher and head with more than 40 years experience, will also be expected recruit academy sponsors to help run struggling schools, while also encouraging more school-to-school collaboration.

He said he was looking forward to his new role and working to “drive improvement across the system”.

“I have direct experience of transforming schools that are under-performing and also maintaining that improvement once achieved, so I understand the challenges many schools face in order to perform at the highest level for their pupils,” he added.

Schools minister Lord Nash said the academy boss had an “enviable record” when it came to improving schools. 

“His experience and skill mean he will be an excellent and highly credible schools commissioner, challenging schools and local authorities to raise standards for all children,” Lord Nash.

Mr Green will stay in the post over a two year term. He took over from Liz Sidwell, the former chief executive of the Haberdashers’ Aske’s Federation academy chain, who left the role in April.