New CEO of Excalibur Academies Trust in Wiltshire announced

Excalibur Academies Trust announced in January that the current CEO, Nicky Edmondson, would step down after six years at the post.

The decision was made so that Nicky could spend more time with her family, and a recruitment process for a new CEO was launched.

Now two months on, Excalibur Academies Trust has announced that Nick Lewis, current director of secondary improvement for the trust, will take on the role of CEO in September.

“I am incredibly happy and proud that I will be leading such a wonderful organisation, working with and for so many incredible young people, and with an exceptional team of professionals who are focussed on providing the best opportunities possible for our students,” said Nick.

“As a family of 20 academies in total, we are already achieving so much and we now have even more opportunity to provide an inspiring and life-changing education for our students, and professional growth for our staff team”. 

Incoming CEO Nick Lewis has previous experience with senior leadership. (Image: Excalibur Academies Trust)

The large academy trust, which was set up in 2012, currently oversees 20 schools in Wiltshire, Bristol and Berkshire.

Wiltshire schools which will be impacted by the change include Burbage Primary School, Great Bedwyn CofE School, John O'Gaunt School, Ogbourne CofE Primary School, Oare CofE Primary School, Lambourn CofE Primary School, Liden Academy, Easton Royal Academy and St John's Marlborough, among others.

Senior leadership at the highest level isn’t new to Nick, as last year he took the role of Interim CEO of Gatehouse Green Learning Trust, which has now merged with Excalibur Trust.

“I have personal experience of the transformational power of education, especially for those from marginalised or disadvantaged backgrounds, and I will carry this passion for equity and fairness with me as I lead the trust into the future,” he said.

The Chair of Trustees, Toby Watson added: “Nick has been an inspirational leader within our trust for many years.

"His passionate belief in the value of high-quality education for all, with an acute focus on inclusivity, equity, and the pursuit of excellence, means he is perfectly aligned with the values of our trust.

"We are confident he will continue to progress the great achievements of the trust in improving the lives of the young people and communities that we serve”.