Northern Education Trust appoints new Chief Executive Officer designate

Jane Wilson has been successfully appointed as the new chief executive officer, to succeed Rob Tarn CBE who leaves on 31 March 2025

Following a robust interview process, we are delighted to announce that Jane Wilson has been appointed as the chief executive officer designate.  She will become the permanent chief executive officer with effect from 1 April 2025.

Jane started work with the trust in 2018 as deputy chief executive officer.  Previously she has worked as deputy director for the regional school’s commissioner, where she took an active role nationally.  Jane has extensive experience as a senior leader, headteacher, executive headteacher, chief executive of a MAT, National Leader of Education (NLE) and more recently, experience as a lead inspector for Ofsted.

Since 2018, Jane has worked tirelessly to support Rob in the transformation of the trust.  She has led on many aspects of the trust’s work, not least her exceptional leadership of the primary phase where she has had a significant impact in improving outcomes. 

Mark Sanders OBE, Chair of the Board of Trustees, said: “I am extremely pleased that Jane has accepted the position.  Her promotion is testament to her hard work and commitment and is thoroughly deserved.  I am certain that she will move the trust forward with the same enthusiasm that Rob has been able to, and the Board is confident that the trust will continue to go from strength to strength under Jane’s leadership”.

Jane said: “I feel tremendously honoured to be given the opportunity to lead the trust on the next stage of our journey.  There are so many talented individuals who work for us, and I know that together we can continue to achieve the very best for our students.  We have accomplished so much, but we will not become complacent and must maintain and build on our success by ensuring every decision we make is in the best interest of the children and young people we serve”.