Jon Coles is Group Chief Executive of United Learning, England’s largest academy trust. Prior to this, he spent much of his career in the Department for Education, including four years on the Board as Director General for Schools and then Director General for Education Standards. Previously, as Director of 14-19 Reform, he led work to raise participation post-16 and attainment at 19 and reduce NEET numbers. As Director of London Challenge, Jon was responsible developing and implementing the strategy to improve secondary education in London, which also led to similar approaches in other parts of the country. Jon is one of twenty leaders recently appointed to the Department for Education’s new academy trust CEO advisory group.