David Ross Education Trust appoints new chief executive
Julian Appleyard was a member of the Department for Education advisory board for Lancashire and West Yorkshire prior to the introduction of the new regions group structure
Register to get 1 more free article
Reveal the article below by registering for our email newsletter.
Want unlimited access? View Plans
Already have an account? Sign in
The board of trustees at the David Ross Education Trust has appointed Julian Appleyard as chief executive. He will take up the post in 2026.
Appleyard is currently chief executive of Pontefract Academies Trust, a nine-school cross-phase trust in West Yorkshire. Since joining in 2018, he has led significant improvements across both primary and secondary phases. The trust has since been recognised for strong academic outcomes at secondary level and a rapidly improving Ofsted profile.
Previously, he was the founding executive principal of Rochdale Sixth Form College – the first sixth form nationally to be rated outstanding by Ofsted at its first inspection. He led the college to four consecutive years at the top of national performance tables.
Appleyard was a member of the Department for Education advisory board for Lancashire and West Yorkshire prior to the introduction of the new regions group structure. He served as a National Leader of Education and carried out Ofsted inspections in the North East, Yorkshire and Humber. He also sits on the Exchange Partnership Committee, a sub-committee of the board of trustees at Delta Academies Trust.
He was awarded an OBE for services to education in 2016.
David Ross, chair of the David Ross Education Trust, said: “I am delighted that we have appointed Julian as our new chief executive. He has built an impressive track record at Pontefract Academies Trust and is passionate about our mission to broaden horizons and provide our pupils with a world-class education.
“Our trust is now in a strong position, with nearly all schools rated good or better, our strongest SATs results this year, and financial resilience. Julian is extremely well placed to build on this platform to deliver excellence across the board. We are confident that under his leadership, the trust will continue to go from strength to strength.”
Appleyard said: “I am incredibly proud of what we have achieved at Pontefract Academies Trust and I’m pleased to be joining a trust that shares the same high expectations and ambitions for pupils.
“From getting to know the DRET team, it’s clear that there are strong foundations in place. I’m excited about the challenge ahead and look forward to working with each of the schools and their local communities to deliver on the goal of a world-class education for every child.”