Academy sponsor adviser appointed
19 September 2008
Partnerships for Schools has appointed Charles Parker, until recently, Clerk to the Mercers’ Company, to advise on Academy sponsor relations.
The role will include providing strategic advice on a number of issues relating to delivery of the Academies building programme, with particular emphasis on working with existing and prospective Academy sponsors within a National Framework or Local Education Partnership environment.
Tim Byles said: ‘Charles Parker has been at the forefront of Academy delivery for some time through his work for the Mercers’ Company and will work closely with Colin Howell, our Academies Director, and the other members of the Academies teams in both PfS and the Department for Children Schools and Families. As well as bringing extensive knowledge of all aspects of the Academy process – from consultation to operation – he is a well-known and respected member of the Academies community. We look forward to working with him as the Academies programme within BSF gathers pace.’
Mr Parker will commence working with Partnerships for Schools from early October, initially for a period of 12 months.
Notes to Editors:
1. Charles Parker was Clerk to the Mercers’ Company for 10 years until earlier this year. During that time the company took a leading position in the Academies programme and was a sponsor of Walsall and Sandwell Academies with a third, in Hammersmith, currently in the planning stage. Before that, for 21 years, he worked in the mining and engineering sectors, latterly as a main board director of Charter plc. He is now establishing a consultancy business focussing on educational innovation and development.
2. PfS, the agency responsible for delivering the national BSF programme, also assumed responsibility for delivery of the Academies programme in 2006. PfS will deliver 134 Academies through the BSF Local Education Partnership (LEP) procurement process, with 131 delivered through the National Framework.
3. Building Schools for the Future (BSF) is the largest single schools capital investment programme for over 50 years. BSF and academies will provide world-class teaching and learning environments for all pupils, teachers and communities in England. More information about the BSF programme is available at: www.partnershipsforschools.org.uk
4. Partnerships for Schools (PfS) is the delivery agency for Building Schools for the Future. PfS was established in April 2004 as a Non-Departmental Public Body (NDPB), and is operated and funded under a joint venture between DCSF (formerly DfES) and Partnerships UK.
