Mr Watson is currently CEO of a Multi Academy Trust in Leicestershire and brings twenty-three years of experience in education, including working across both two-tier and three-tier school systems.

Ilona Bond, Chair of BEST, welcomed the appointment,

Mr Watson is passionate about ensuring that all young people have access to the very best educational opportunities and is looking forward to building on the strong foundations and legacy that Dr Lee will leave. (Ilona Bond)

As we celebrate our 10th Anniversary and the success of our past decade, we are confident that Mr Watson will provide strong leadership as the Trust moves into its next chapter. He shares our commitment to putting children and young people at the heart of everything we do, ensuring that every child has the opportunity to thrive and achieve their full potential.

Mr Watson said,

“I am incredibly excited to be joining BEST as its new CEO. It is a fantastic opportunity to build on the Trust’s achievements, enhance its legacy and work alongside talented colleagues to create an exciting future for our schools and communities.” (Adam Watson)

There will be a period of transition between Christmas and Easter, during which Dr Lee and Mr Watson will work together to ensure a smooth and positive handover. This will provide an opportunity for Mr Watson to meet our school and nursery communities and begin getting to know the children, families and staff who make BEST such a special Trust. We know that a warm welcome will await him when he visits the schools and meets our community over the months to come.

As we look ahead, we take this opportunity to recognise Dr Lee's significant contribution to BEST. As the Trust's founder, his vision and leadership have been instrumental in shaping the organisation and establishing the strong foundations on which we continue to build.

We recognise that a change in leadership is an important moment for any organisation. However, our commitment to providing the very best educational experiences for all the children and young people in our care remains firmly unchanged.

We look forward to welcoming Mr Watson and embracing this next chapter, together with our families and wider communities, as we continue to ‘grow the BEST in everyone’.