Neil Matthews has become head of Heathlands Primary in West Bergholt, near Colchester. He qualified as a teacher in 1994, first teaching at Friars Grove Junior School in Colchester. In 1998, he became head of PE at All Saints Middle School in Sudbury before taking his first headship at Montgomery Junior in Sudbury.

Guy Perricone has been appointed chief executive of the Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music. He succeeds Richard Morris, who will be retiring after 17 years’ service. Mr Perricone has been the managing director of the Institute of Contemporary Arts in London since 2005. He was educated at Westminster School in London and at Trinity College Cambridge, where he graduated with a masters in law and modern languages. He entered his current role in 2005 and will join the ABRSM in January 2010.

Cheryl Heron is principal designate of St Aldhelm’s Academy in Poole, Dorset. Sponsored by the diocese of Salisbury and Bournemouth University, the academy will replace Rossmore Community College. She will take up her new post in January next year and will be based at Bournemouth University. She will move to St Adhelm’s the following September.

The Emmanuel Schools Foundation has appointed David Wootton as chief executive. He will join in January from Grace Foundation, where he is executive principal of its three academies in the West Midlands. Mr Wootton started his career teaching music in Salford and directed groups at the Royal Festival Hall and school proms at the Royal Albert Hall. His first headship was at Stockport School. He led the development and launch of Grace Academy, Solihull, as principal. In 2007, he became executive principal, opening the second academy in Coventry, and the third in Walsall.

Phil Revell will leave the National Governors’ Association at the end of this year. Mr Revell taught for 20 years in secondary schools and served a four-year term as a staff governor before pursuing a career in education journalism. He joined the association as chief executive in July 2007.

Colin Peak is to be the new director of children and young people for the Isle of Wight. He is currently assistant director for targeted and locality services in the London borough of Hounslow. He was the London Borough of Merton’s head of early years, childcare and extended schools and held a similar position in Richmond upon Thames.

James Westhead is the new director of external relations at Teach First. He was the BBC’s education and social affairs correspondent and has worked in broadcasting for 18 years. After the launch of BBC News 24, he worked as the health correspondent and covered education. He has won a number of awards including Programme of the Year and was nominated for News Report of the Year.

Tracey Healy

The head of Links Education Support Centre in St Albans has been shortlisted for Britain’s Best Boss 2009. Ms Healy started work in a school in New South Wales, Australia, before settling in the UK in 1997. She joined Edmonton County School, Enfield, later becoming assistant head at Stoke Newington School, then Highfield School, Letchworth. In 2003 she took a career break but joined Links ESC and became head in 2006. The winner will be announced at a ceremony at the BT Tower in London on November 26.