Academy Transformation Trust, one of the country’s leading education providers, and Debbie Clinton, its Chief Executive Officer, have announced that she is to step down.

Ms Clinton took up the role in 2018 and immediately implemented an improvement programme at Academy Transformation Trust (ATT), covering finances, structures and processes. Ms Clinton also oversaw the establishment of the ATT Institute, which provides sector-leading professional development to almost 2,000 members of staff across the Trust.

ATT is a cross phase trust of 21 academies in the West Midlands, East Midlands and East of England.

Patricia Beanland OBE, the Chair of ATT’s Board, said:

“Debbie joined the Trust in 2018 and her energy, skill and hard work were essential in placing the Trust on a sound and stable footing for the future. Her work in forming the ATT Institute has also been hugely significant, not just in our Trust and academies but nationally. There is no question that Debbie leaves with the Trust in a far stronger position than when she started.

We know that Debbie has in recent months been thinking of what she will do in the next phase of her career. We wish her the very best for the future and would like to thank her for all she has done to provide the children and young people in our academies with a better education. We now have in place firm foundations, an excellent leadership team and outstanding teachers and we are excited about the next chapter in the story of our Trust and academies.”

A national recruitment process will shortly begin to secure Ms Clinton’s replacement.

Debbie Clinton said:

“It has been an absolute privilege to serve as Chief Executive Officer at ATT over the last three years. I leave the academy trust in a much stronger place than when I joined, and I would like to thank the Trustees, all staff at central office and in the academies, and of course our students and their families for all their support as we have enacted the changes to improve the education of young people.

“For some time now I have been considering my next career move and, while I am very sad to be leaving, I also know that now is the right time. ATT’s future is an exciting one and I wish my successor and the ATT family the very best.”