Governors for Schools is delighted to announce we’ve expanded our offering to include a bespoke Trustee Recruitment Service. Led by newly appointed Head of Trustee Recruitment, David Ardill, this service will help fill academy trust board vacancies with diverse and talented volunteers from across the country.

We launched the Trustee Recruitment Service in response to the government encouraging schools to move into academy trusts. As more schools make the move to trusts, the need for skilled and committed trustees is growing.

Demand for trustee recruitment experts has never been greater. Following the decision by New Schools Network to turn down the Department for Education’s (DfE) award of the contract to run the Academy Ambassadors Programme, the sector is now in need of a dedicated trustee recruitment resource.

We’re pleased to have the opportunity to address recruitment gaps and help improve educational standards across academy trusts. As part of this, we look forward to harnessing the extensive knowledge and experience of several key members of the Academy Ambassadors team, ensuring the sector continues to receive high-quality service.

Hannah Stolton, CEO of Governors for Schools, explains: “The launch of our Trustee Recruitment Service represents an exciting milestone in the development of Governors for Schools. We’re committed to adapting to the shifting needs of the education sector and believe the service will play an important role in our growth.

We’re also thrilled to have David heading up our trustee recruitment operations. Having gained significant knowledge and experience with the sector-leading Academy Ambassadors Programme, David is perfectly positioned to carry on his fantastic work with Governors for Schools. I encourage everyone to discover more about David’s story and introduction to the charity on our website.

What will the Trustee Recruitment Service include?

The Trustee Recruitment Service helps academy trust boards find high-calibre volunteers through tailored matching efforts. We use a suite of recruitment tools to find and place volunteers from the corporate, third, and education sectors, ensuring that every match is targeted and fulfils trusts’ current and future needs. We consider several factors when matching volunteers and schools, including skills, experience level, and values. We also work closely with trusts looking to diversify their boards, helping them recruit people from a wide range of backgrounds.

Before we go about finding suitable candidates, we arrange one-to-one conversations with the relevant Chair and senior leadership members to ensure we’re on the same page regarding recruitment needs. Beyond the matching service, we also facilitate introductions between boards and volunteers to maximise the chances of making successful appointments.

How can you find out more about the Trustee Recruitment Service?

You can find comprehensive information about the Trustee Recruitment Service on our website. If you have any queries about the service, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with Head of Trustee Recruitment David Ardill at [email protected].

Editors’ Notes

About Governors for Schools

Governors for Schools is a national education charity that finds, places, and supports governors on school and academy boards. With over 20 years’ worth of experience matching volunteers with schools, we’re committed to ensuring every board has diverse and effective governance. Find out more on our website.

Interested in volunteering in governance? We currently have hundreds of registered vacancies to fill with committed volunteers. You don’t need to be a parent or have special qualifications to apply. We’re searching for people aged 18+ with a variety of skills. Find out more on our website.