I am an experienced school leader, in the UK and Internationally, having led schools successfully in both state and independent sectors. In February 2025, I took on the role as Founding Headteacher of St Michael Abbey School, Worcestershire, in the Welsh/English borders & Marches. This is a new international and UK independent school from SIAS, an Anglo-American education group, and will be open from September 2025. The Founders’ vision is of “A British School in a World Community”. I joined Heritage International School in Moldova, in 2019 because of the inspirational vision of the Founders and was CEO & Director for nearly 6 years, obtaining COBIS accreditation and establishing the 1st international and Cambridge school in Moldova. I left in January 2025 to return back to the UK. I continue to serve and support as a Board Member of Heritage International School, keeping my connections to a school it was my career privilege to lead and a country that is my second home. I was born and educated in Shropshire. I lived in Madeley until I was 18 at home and my father was a Shropshire coal miner. I was the first in my family to go to university after attending Madeley Court School and New College 6th Form College. Here I met Les Jones, who became an instrumental teacher and mentor to me for the next 40 years. I am a Politics graduate from the University of York and I have been a teacher and school leader for nearly 30 years. I took my PGCSE at the University of Aberystwyth, my MEd from The Open University and I hold the NPQH. I was previously Principal of Wyedean School, Gloucestershire, UK where I successfully led a school nationally and internationally known for its innovative holistic curriculum and developed model of global learning. I was co-founder of the IB schools network in the SW of England. I have been a senior leader in leading schools in Wales and England including Deputy Headteacher at Crickhowell High School, Powys. Previously, I led the large 6th Form of both A Level and IB at Royal Wootton Bassett School. I served as Head of History and Politics in Bristol, as well as lead international teacher in South Glos LEA. In 2021, I was given a “Global Principal” award from AKS. I am a long serving British Council Ambassador, an advisor and keynote speaker at many international conferences for the British Council and other similar organisations, and I have worked with and advised schools and school boards around the World. It is my privilege to have worked and been involved in so many global projects with two outstanding colleagues, dear friends and global educators in Tatiana Popa & John Rolfe. Tatiana the inspiration for a TES article of mine based on “good mavericks”. I had my first book “This Heart Shaped Land” about my time as principal of Wyedean, released in 2020. My 2nd book, “Mail from Moldova”, is due out this autumn, based on my blog of the same name from my time living and working in the country. I am a regular writer for both the TES and International Schools Magazine/ISMP and I am an international schools leader for the Varkey/UNESCO/TTF2030 Global Leaders Network. In 2024, I was shortlisted for the inaugural TES International Principal of the Year Awards. My wife is a local silversmith we have 3 teenage daughters and live in Bristol and in mid-Wales. Rob Ford to lead new St Michael Abbey School, UK: https://www.schoolmanagementplus.com/movers-shakers/rob-ford-to-lead-new-st-michael-abbey-school-uk/ My TES articles: https://www.tes.com/magazine/author/rob-ford My ISMP articles: https://www.schoolmanagementplus.com/author/robf/ MY ISN articles: https://isn.education/members/2b043621-7c7e-46bb-8724-f557591748bb