Chief Executive Appointment

Simon Rose takes up appointment with immediate effect

The David Ross Education Trust has announced the appointment of Simon Rose as its new Chief Executive today (Tuesday 16 December 2025).

Simon has been serving as interim Chief Executive since September and brings extensive leadership experience across the trust and the wider education sector. During his time in the interim role, he has overseen a period of stability and renewed strategic focus, strengthening the trust’s approach to curriculum, school improvement and pupil enrichment.

Before stepping into the interim position, Simon held senior roles across DRET, with a particular focus on primary improvement. He has played a central part in shaping the trust’s approach to teaching, learning and leadership development, contributing to rising outcomes and stronger consistency across schools. Earlier in his career, Simon worked in a range of schools as headteacher and deputy in Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire as well as being a local authority director of education.

 David Ross, Chair of the David Ross Education Trust, said:

“Simon has provided exceptional leadership over the past few months and has demonstrated a deep commitment to the trust’s values and our ambition for every pupil. The board was impressed by the clarity of his vision and the strong relationships he has built across our schools.

“DRET is in a strong position, with improving outcomes across phases and a clear focus on providing pupils with a rich and ambitious education, particularly across our secondary academies. Simon is extremely well placed to lead the trust into its next phase of development, and I am confident that under his leadership we will continue to strengthen our work and broaden the opportunities available to our young people through our excellent teaching and learning and pioneering enrichment programmes.”

Simon Rose, Chief Executive, said:

“It has been a privilege to lead the trust on an interim basis, and I am delighted to have been appointed as Chief Executive. I joined DRET in 2016 because I believe in our sponsor’s vision and mission, and ten years on, I am in the privileged position of being able to lead us on the next, exciting stage of the Trust’s journey.

“We have an excellent platform from which to grow, and I am excited about what we can achieve together for the children and young people we serve.”