Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether she has issued guidance to multi-academy trusts on the necessary characteristics, qualities and attributes of chairs.

The department’s ’Academy trust governance guide’ and ‘Academy trust handbook’ set out the role and responsibilities of the chair of trustees. The guidance also outlines the skills, expertise, and behaviours that any trustee needs for the board to carry out its functions effectively.

The board, led by the chair, holds the senior executive leader to account for the day to day running of the trust. The chair also ensures the board operates effectively and plays a central role in establishing the highest expectations for professional standards, governance, and accountability.

The department’s model articles specify that any trustee employed by the academy trust is not eligible to serve as chair or vice-chair.

To support transparency, the chair’s details must be recorded on Get Information About Schools. Their details, along with any relevant business interests, must also be published on the trust’s website.