Spencer Academies Trust bid farewell to long-standing CEO, Paul West
Yesterday, colleagues from across the Spencer Academies Trust - including principals, executive leaders, members of the Board of Directors and central colleagues - came together to bid farewell to our long-standing CEO, Paul West.
After eight and a half years of exceptional leadership, Paul moves on to exciting pastures new, leaving behind a remarkable legacy. Reflecting on his time at Spencer, Paul described the role as “the most professionally humbling and enriching experience of my career,” noting that the Trust has been “part of my identity” and “part of my sense of purpose.”
During his time at Spencer Academies Trust, Paul oversaw a period of significant growth, guiding the Trust from 11 academies to 27 and shaping a strong, ambitious organisation rooted in opportunity and excellence.
As Paul shared, Spencer has always focused on “quietly getting on with our work” and being “serious about the things that matter: strong schools, great teaching, ethical leadership, and doing right by children and communities - especially when it’s hard.”
Paul consistently championed leadership as a collective endeavour, reminding us that “trust is a team sport,” where leadership is done with schools, not to them, and where the Centre exists to serve schools, not the other way around. Through challenge and change, his leadership was defined by “a refusal to compromise on doing the right thing for children, even when the pressure was real.”
Above all, Paul spoke about people and shared endeavour. “I’ll miss you. I’ll miss our people,” he said, reflecting on the professionalism, kindness, and honesty that define Spencer Academies Trust.
Donna Kinderman, Chair of the Board of Directors, also shared: “The Board is immensely proud of how Spencer Academies Trust has grown and flourished under Paul’s leadership. He leaves behind a strong, well-established Trust and an exceptional team who are well placed to continue building on his legacy. On behalf of the Board, I wish him every success and happiness as he embarks on the next stage of his career.”
As Paul steps into his next chapter, he leaves behind a Trust that is values-driven and ready to continue evolving. We are incredibly grateful for Paul’s vision, integrity, and unwavering commitment to our community, and we wish him every success as he carries Spencer’s values with him into the future.
