Sir Peter Birkett (Chair)
Among his many achievements in the world of education, Sir Peter has pioneered the UK’s first FE College led Multi Academy Trust, has been a government advisor and held three Principal and CEO positions in both the independent and state sectors. A natural leader, he has been Chair and Director on several Boards and is currently a member of the Worshipful Company of Educators. In 2012, he was knighted as part of the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Birthday Honours celebrations for services to Education and continues to present at conferences around the world. In 2016, he founded his first independent Special Education Needs school in Devon which is now at pupil capacity. Over a short period the school has been a finalist for three national awards, achieved Investors in People (IIP) status, secured a good Ofsted inspection and more recently attained an excellent Independent Schools inspection (ISI) – In June 2020, Highgate Hill House school was named in the top 20 best employers in the country. His passion and drive for finding solutions to seemingly insurmountable problems within any organisation is renowned. He is delighted to be appointed Chair of EWF and very much looks forward to steering the ship to meet the ambitious EWF vision.