ATLP Chief Executive humbled by Chamber of Commerce award

A national education leader who runs a partnership of academies in Birmingham, Staffordshire and Warwickshire, has been recognised by the Chambers of Commerce for his outstanding services to education and community.

Richard Gill CBE, Chief Executive of the Arthur Terry Learning Partnership and Chair of the Teaching Schools Council, who received a President’s Award, was among the winners from three of Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce’s geographical divisions who were recognised for their achievements in a major online awards ceremony.

The virtual awards, which took place yesterday, were held to celebrate business success in Sutton Coldfield, Lichfield and Tamworth and Cannock Chase. The award ceremony, beamed live from Chamber House in Edgbaston, was hosted by Future Faces vice-president Sabah Hussain and headline sponsor for the event was Amazon.

Richard, who was awarded a CBE in November for his services to education, received the Sutton Coldfield Chamber President’s Award (sponsored by Select Car Leasing), alongside colleague Rachel Davis MBE, headteacher of Little Sutton Primary School.

Sutton Coldfield Chamber President Phil Arkinstall described both education leaders as: “deserving winners” who have “done incredible work for education in Sutton Coldfield.”

He said: “This year with Covid and the detrimental effect that it’s had on society, and in alignment with our committee’s goal to improve the next generation, I believe these are two worthy winners.

“Both of our winners are leaders in education and have made a massive impact in their communities and they’ve both been recognised with honours by Her Majesty in recent months.”

In his introduction, Phil described how Richard has been working nationally to advise on school policy during the pandemic and how the expansion of the ATLP is helping more schools in the region and enhancing the life chances of more young people.

Commenting on the award, Richard Gill said: “I am delighted to accept this honour on behalf of everybody at the Arthur Terry Learning Partnership. It comes as a complete surprise and I am truly humbled by this recognition.

“This award is dedicated to all my colleagues, along with our children and young people and their families who are part of our wonderful partnership and I’d like to thank them for their hard work, support and dedication. This last year has been a huge challenge for all of us and I am so proud of how we have come together to care for and be there for each other, and to ensure that our pupils remain at the heart of everything we do.  

“It’s a privilege to be a member of the Chamber and to be part of all the superb work our organisations and businesses in the region are doing to connect communities and ensure our regions continue to thrive.”

The award is the second time the ATLP has been recognised by the Chamber. The Arthur Terry Learning Partnership was been named Large Business of the year, Sutton Coldfield, by the Chambers of Commerce in 2019.

Richard has enjoyed a distinguished career, which includes more than 25 years as a teacher, headteacher and senior leader.

He is a National Leader of Education, and also sits on numerous DfE advisory groups.

Notwithstanding his various roles and responsibilities, Richard is also a lead inspector for Ofsted. He is a former Vice Chair of the Birmingham Education Partnership working alongside Estelle Morris and Steve Munby and is currently the proud Chief Executive of respected multi-academy trust, the Arthur Terry Learning Partnership. The ATLP runs a learning family of nine primary schools, five secondary schools, a SCITT and one teaching school serving more than 9,000 students and 1,000 staff and governors. The ATLP has successfully provided school-to-school support since 2008, having been appointed a school improvement partner to a number of schools.  In 2018, the MAT established itself on the national stage after being invited to be a capacity giver in supporting the school-led system. To watch the awards please visit: https://www.greaterbirminghamchambers.com/networking-events/watch-live-the-sltc-awards-celebration-2021/