Mark Emmerson OBE is CEO of the City of London Academies Trust. Having taught in inner-London schools for over 40 years, Mark is uncomprimisingly passionate about ensuring access to the best quality education for disadvantaged children. Mark taught in several challenging schools before gaining his first headship at Stoke Newington School in Hackney, and leading it to its first Outstanding Ofsted judgement in 2007. In 2008, Mark became Principal of The City Academy, Hackney, which was located in the most deprived ward in the borough. Under his leadership, the academy flourished and was graded Outstanding by Ofsted. It was also ranked as the top mixed secondary school in the country for student progress in 2014 and remained in the top 20 schools for the rest of his tenure. Following his headships, Mark was the City of London Corporation’s Education and Skills Strategy Director, during which time the City of London achieved the best average Progress 8 score of any school sponsor in the country (2016), and delivered the best outcomes of any academy chain for disadvantaged children in the country (2016 and 2017). Mark was appointed CEO of the City of London Academies Trust (COLAT) in 2016, growing the Trust from two to 12 primary, secondary and sixth form academies. Six of the schools are graded Outstanding in all areas by Ofsted, two Good with Outstanding features (one of which was previously graded Requires Improvement), and two Good overall (one of which was previously graded Inadequate). Mark believes it is a critical part of his role to be in schools regularly, to walk the corridors, observe routines, promote good practice, and engage with students. In his drive to provide better provision to students at risk of permanent exclusion, Mark also initiated and oversaw the development and implementation of the COLAT Apprenticeship Academy. The provision provides access to work experience, practical skills, mentoring and high-quality teaching to keep students in education and allow them to gain valuable qualifications. Alongside his CEO role, Mark was a Behaviour Advisor for the Department for Education, co-constructing the national Behaviour Hubs programme and leading the improvement of behaviour systems in schools and trusts across the country. Mark was initiator and inaugural Chair of the Confederation of School Trusts’ London Trust Leaders’ Network from 2020 – 2022. Mark’s significant and sustained track record of impact on the progress and attainment of students led to him advising the SSAT on curriculum design, pedagogy and leadership development, as well as writing several published papers on engaging teaching, school leadership and raising attainment. He remains committed to improving outcomes and educational opportunities for all children in London, most recently leading the London Bridge the Gap campaign, which brought together stakeholders from the Greater London Assembly, The Careers and Enterprise Company, school leaders and employers, with a specific focus on improving social mobility for disadvantaged young Londoners. Mark was awarded an OBE in 2025 for services to education.