GLF Schools has appointed Simon Cox as director of secondary education and Louise Burridge as regional education director West (primary).
Cox has experience of large multi-academy trusts. Joining GLF in September, he is currently director of school improvement at Lift Schools, where he oversees trust-wide standards, leadership development, and areas such as safeguarding and behaviour. His career also includes roles as a regional education director at E-ACT and various headship positions.
In his new role, Cox will lead the secondary phase across the trust, shaping its strategy. He will be responsible for the management and professional growth of secondary headteachers, ensuring academic outcomes and inclusion remain aligned with trust-wide priorities.
Joining GLF at the start of the autumn term, Burridge is currently principal of Battle Primary Academy in Reading and interim executive headteacher at Ashford Hill Primary School.
In her new role, Burridge will oversee 10 primary schools across the West region, including clusters in Banbury, Didcot, and Wokingham. She will be accountable for performance and standards while fostering a culture of collaboration and evidence-informed practice.
GLF Schools’ chief executive Warwick Sharp said: “These appointments are central to GLF Schools' ambition to deliver an outstanding education for all our students. Both Simon and Louise bring a very strong track record of school improvement, lots of experience working in partnership with school leaders, and an unwavering commitment to delivering brilliant outcomes. They will help provide the very best leadership for our schools. We look forward to working closely with Simon and Louise as we develop our collective strength and drive forward collaboration across GLF Schools.”
Phil Humphreys, chief education officer at GLF Schools, commented: “Simon brings a strong track record of developing leaders and strengthening school culture. Similarly, Louise’s deep understanding of primary stage education and her evidence-based approach will be invaluable as we continue to build leadership capacity and talent at all levels.”
GLF Schools is a multi-academy trust comprising 43 schools catering to 19,000 children and young people. The trust comprises eight secondary schools and 35 primary settings across Oxfordshire, Berkshire, Hampshire, Surrey, West Sussex and the London Boroughs of Wandsworth and Croydon.