At their Annual General Meeting on Tuesday 12th December 2023, Members of Leigh Academies Trust confirmed the appointment of Lord Leigh of Hurley as “Founding Sponsor”, replacing Sir Geoffrey Leigh who has held the position since Leigh Academies Trust was created in 2008. In turn, Sir Geoffrey was appointed to the new position of “Honorary President”. These new appointments will take immediate effect.
Sir Geoffrey became the first Chairman of The Leigh City Technology College (CTC) in 1990 when it opened as one of the original fifteen city technology colleges. At the time he was Chairman and Managing Director of Allied London Properties PLC, a company quoted on the Stock Exchange, engaged in the development of office and house building. Through his generous sponsorship The Leigh CTC became highly successful, replacing the failed predecessor school in Dartford. In 2008, it converted to become an academy and formed Leigh Academies Trust by sponsoring nearby Longfield Academy. Shortly afterwards, it was judged “outstanding” in all areas by Ofsted. Sir Geoffrey has served as Founding Sponsor and Member ever since.
For the past thirty-three years, Sir Geoffrey has worked tirelessly and has taken a strong personal interest in the growth and success of The Leigh CTC and Leigh Academies Trust. The organisation is now responsible for thirty-one schools in the South East, educating 22,000 children and employing 3,500 staff. There are many thousands of young people across the region whose life chances have been immeasurably improved by Sir Geoffrey’s remarkable and longstanding contribution to education.
Replacing Sir Geoffrey as Founding Sponsor is his nephew, Lord Leigh of Hurley, who became a life peer in 2013. His successful business background and experience as a trustee for a school group in London will be an enormous asset to Leigh Academies Trust. Maintaining the strong Leigh family connection, which has been so vital to the Trust’s success, is also tremendously welcome.
Commenting on his appointment, Lord Leigh said,
“Having served for a number of years as a trustee of the AIM Academy Trust I am delighted and honoured to be asked to take on this important role. Sir Geoffrey was a prime instigator of The Leigh CTC and has made an enormous contribution for many decades. I am grateful for the opportunity to be asked to contribute to the continued success of Leigh Academies Trust.”
Referring to both Sir Geoffrey’s and Lord Leigh’s appointments, Frank Green, CBE, Chairman of Leigh Academies Trust wrote,
“I am delighted that the Leigh family connection is being maintained for the Trust and I am delighted to welcome Lord Leigh. Sir Geoffrey has been a tower of strength behind us over the past thirty-three years and it is most encouraging to see the commitment to education in the Leigh family to the Trust being strengthened. The work their support has enabled us to achieve will continue unabated.”
Sir Geoffrey and Lady Sylvia Leigh
