Ark academy trust chief Lucy Heller to step down after 22 years

Lucy Heller has announced she will step down as chief executive of Ark, one of England's largest multi-academy trusts, after 22 years in the role. The organisation has confirmed that two new chief executives will be appointed to replace her, marking a significant transition in the trust's leadership structure and governance approach. The departure brings to a close more than two decades at the helm of an influential academy trust that has been central to the development of England's academies programme. For local authority cabinet members with education responsibilities, the change highlights ongoing questions about governance in large MATs and the importance of maintaining constructive relationships between academy trusts and their local partners as new leadership settles into post.