John is a Chartered Banker with extensive experience in banking, accounting and governance in both commercial and educational environments. For 16 years he was Chair of a Sixth Form College which achieved Ofsted ‘Outstanding’ status and he was the founding Chair of the college’s sponsored MAT of 10 academies. He has been a special adviser to the Secretary of State for Education and to the National Schools, Sixth Form College & FE Commissioners. In those roles he provided support to ensure the financial sustainability of colleges and MATs, together with good governance practice. He was Director of Funding & Finance for the Sixth Form Colleges Association. He is particularly keen to maintain the commercial sustainability and growth of the AoEA to maintain the delivery and development of its objectives.