Schools and Educational Organisations

Perrett Laver is a market-leading executive search firm serving the schools and education sector globally. We believe in the power of education to transform lives and opportunities, and our work across this sector is driven by deep commitment to connecting our clients with truly exceptional leaders.

 

Our Schools and Education Organisations Practice is intentionally broad and we seek to serve the sector as a whole, utilising our knowledge, expertise and networks to add considerable value in a variety of contexts.

Our clients range from leading independent schools to high performing and aspirational academies, new and growing multi-academy trusts to international schools, global schools groups to national and international educational bodies of all types.

We established our Practice to respond to some of the challenges in the way the sector has traditionally appointed its leaders. We are intentionally different and we strive to add value in a number of different ways. A commitment to creative, rigorous research, compelling, nuanced advocacy, exceptional process and first-class candidate care are all hallmarks of Perrett Laver's approach.

 

Where We Can Help

Independent School Head Appointments

Perrett Laver has deep experience of the UK independent education and have established a strong reputation as a leading firms serving the sector. We have successfully advised a wide-range of boarding, day, co-educational, single sex, urban and rural independent schools on Head and Principal appointments.

Perrett Laver's success rate in advising on such appointments is 100%. This distinguishes our firm in the market and we are proud of the positive impact the individuals we help to appoint are able to make in post. We track this through a systematic programme of client and candidate relationship management and are frequently asked by previous clients and placed candidates to advise on other posts. Every year, over 50% of our work is repeat business with longstanding partner clients.

Preparatory and Pre-Preparatory Head Appointments

Perrett Laver work extensively across the preparatory and pre-preparatory sectors and have advised many of the country's leading schools on Head appointments.

We have also developed a particular expertise in advising 'tied' prep schools on Head appointments. The context for such appointments and the skills and experiences required in these posts are often very different.

Academy and Maintained Sector Head Appointments

Over the last three years, we have become a leading firm serving the academy and state sectors. We have advised a large number of standalone academies and maintained schools on Head appointments,  as well as academies that are part of Multi-Academy Trusts. We are committed to working with organisations where exceptional leadership can have a truly transformative impact and we have advised academies and maintained schools on all stages of their school improvement journeys.

Multi-Academy Trust Central Team and Board Appointments

We are a leading firm serving Multi-Academy Trusts on CEO, central team and board appointments. We have advised a number of the UK’s largest MATs on CEOs, Trustees and Education Directors, as well as a number of smaller, regional MATs on CEOs and other central team appointments. Our expertise includes Finance Director and HR Director appointments for small, medium and large school Trusts.

 

International Schools Head Appointments

Perrett Laver's work with both international schools and leading schools across the world is a significant part of our Practice. As a global firm, our clients are based all over the world and we are accustomed to attracting and managing diverse, international candidate fields.

As the international schools sector has expanded, we have developed particular expertise in advising UK independent schools on the appointments of Heads and other senior leaders for international franchises. Outside of the British curriculum sector, we partner with leading schools around the world on Head appointments.

Other Senior Leadership Roles

In addition to our significant work advising on Head appointments, we also have a strong track record of supporting client schools with appointments to a wide range of other senior leadership posts.

We have particular expertise in handling Deputy Head searches and in many cases have supported our clients through significant senior leadership restructures. Alongside our Deputy Head work, we also have a strong track record in advising on the appointment of Bursars and Chief Operating Officers. Our other area of specialism lies in the appointment of Directors of Development for numerous schools.

Who To Talk To

Lucy Hayes
Lucy Hayes
Partner & Global Practice Head, Schools and Educational Organisations
EMEA
Dr Richard Weir
Dr Richard Weir
Partner
Asia Pacific
Katharine Poundstone
Katharine Poundstone
Managing Partner, Hong Kong
Asia Pacific
Dr Gordon Lobay
Dr Gordon Lobay
Regional Managing Partner, Americas
Americas
Janelle Entwistle
Janelle Entwistle
Managing Partner, Australia
Asia Pacific

Recent Schools and Education Organisations Clients

Recent Schools and Education Organisations Appointments