The Outwood Family CEO has been honoured for his services to Education in the recent Queen’s Birthday Honours List.

Martyn Oliver, Chief Executive Officer of Outwood Grange Academies Trust, was honoured with a knighthood for his dedication to improving the education of thousands of children.

Speaking about the award, Sir Martyn Oliver, said:

“I am delighted to have been recognised in the Queen’s Birthday Honours, it is great recognition of all that we achieved at Outwood and in the communities we proudly serve.

“Whilst I am truly humbled at receiving this most prestigious award, it has been my honour to serve so many children and to raise the standards of their education working alongside some of the most dedicated and committed colleagues you could wish for.  This is a tribute to all at Outwood.”

David Earnshaw CBE, Chair at Outwood, said:

“We are very proud of Martyn and his recognition in the recent Queen’s Birthday Honours. He always demonstrates leadership by both precept and example: everyday he is dedicated to upholding the best educational principles, which everyone in the Outwood family follows, just as he does at all times.

“He is an outstanding asset to the Outwood family in that he works assiduously to find ways to raise educational achievement for our young people.  He is totally committed to the aim of transforming the lives of our students for the better.

“Congratulations, Sir Martyn.”

As part of the announcement, the official citation read:

“His unwavering determination to rapidly improve underperforming schools has made a significant, lasting impact on the lives of children in some of the most disadvantaged areas of the country. He was appointed CEO in September 2016, following significant success as an executive head and regional lead within the trust. 

“Under his leadership, 20 schools have joined the trust, including 16 sponsored schools, six rescued from the Wakefield City Academies Trust collapse, and one Free School, developed at pace to respond to urgent need for additional places in Middlesbrough. Under his tenure underperforming schools joining the trust quickly became schools that offer a good or better education to their pupils.”