Simon Connell appointed Chief Executive Officer of Baker Dearing Education Trust

The Trustees of the Baker Dearing Educational Trust (“Baker Dearing”), the charity that supports and promotes University Technical Colleges (“UTCs”), announce that Simon Connell will assume the role of Chief Executive Officer from August 2019.

Simon succeeds Charles Parker, who has served as Chief Executive since 2012.

Simon has been Development Director of Baker Dearing since 2016. 

Prior to joining Baker Dearing, Simon was Chief Operating Officer of Educate, a school support services company, which he co-founded following a successful career in the financial services industry.

Simon holds a mathematics degree from the University of Cambridge.

Commenting on his new role, Simon Connell said: 

“Baker Dearing has developed a unique and relevant approach to education which addresses the changing needs of students and employers in the 21^st Century.  UTCs are already having a meaningful impact on many students and their life chances. My own education experience, as the first in my family to attend university, has demonstrated to me the power that education can have in facilitating social mobility.  I’m extremely pleased to be leading the UTC programme at this exciting stage of its development.”

Simon’s ambitions are clear: 

1. UTC student numbers must continue to increase. Experience to date has shown us what is required to drive students to UTCs; these requirements now must be implemented uniformly across the programme. 
2. UTCs must build on the improving education performance seen last year: 60% of schools in the programme have now been judged by Ofsted to be ‘Good’ or better. 
3. Baker Dearing must be at the forefront of advocacy, policy development and communication for career-focussed education of school-aged students.

Lord Baker, Chairman of Baker Dearing, said:

“I am delighted that Simon Connell has become Baker Dearing’s Chief Executive Officer. This provides the charity with continuity, strong leadership, and a clear focus, as the UTC programme is further embedded in the English school system.”