Heather is Chief Executive Officer at RSAcademics and leads our work to help schools build strong leadership, effective governance and thriving communities. Since joining us in 2014, she has brought strategic insight and deep sector understanding to her work with schools. Before becoming CEO, Heather led both our Consultancy Services practice and the Professional Services Appointments team, supporting schools across the independent and state sectors to strengthen their leadership and plan for the future. Her consultancy projects have ranged from strategic reviews and research studies to brand development, fundraising and change management. Whatever the brief, Heather focuses on helping school leaders and governors make confident, evidence-based decisions that have a lasting impact. Earlier in her career, Heather held senior roles in higher education, including Faculty Manager of the Business School and Director of Marketing and Market Development at the University of Surrey. She later served as Director of Finance & Operations of an independent school and Business Manager at an academy. She studied Law and German and holds an MBA from Henley Management College. Heather is Chair of the Board of Whole Education and previously served as a governor of a large UK independent school for over a decade. She is motivated by a belief that strong, values-led leadership in schools can change lives and communities for the better.