Professional Teaching Institute appoints new chief executive
Dr Cat Scutt to take on role as Hugh Rayment-Pickard steps down in April 2026
Register to get 1 free article
Reveal the article below by registering for our email newsletter.
Want unlimited access? View Plans
Already have an account? Sign in
The Professional Teaching Institute (PTI) has announced a change in its senior leadership, with Dr Cat Scutt set to become chief executive from April 2026.
She will succeed Dr Hugh Rayment-Pickard, who is retiring from his role as co-director after three years. Rayment-Pickard has overseen a period of growth at the charity, including an expansion in the number of schools and teachers engaged and a scaling up of work with primary schools.
Keith Breslauer, chair of the Professional Teaching Institute, said Rayment-Pickard had helped extend the organisation’s reach, particularly into disadvantaged communities.
He said: “We are grateful for Hugh’s strong strategic leadership, which has continued The PTI’s work and extended its reach into many more schools, particularly in disadvantaged communities.”
Scutt is a former English teacher and currently deputy chief executive at the Chartered College of Teaching. She has held a range of leadership roles across the education sector and has contributed to several government advisory groups.
She was awarded an MBE for services to education in 2021 and completed a PhD at UCL Institute of Education in 2024, focusing on school leaders’ use of research evidence. She is chair of Cornwall Education Partnership, a trustee of the National Association of School-Based Teacher Trainers (NASBTT), and a governor at Astra Teaching School Hub.
On her appointment, Scutt said she was looking forward to leading the organisation through its next phase.
She said: “I am delighted to have the opportunity to lead The PTI in its next phase. The need for high-quality subject teaching has never been greater, and I am looking forward to working with the team and partners across the sector.”
Carolyn Roberts, chief education officer at the Professional Teaching Institute, said Scutt’s appointment followed a successful period under Rayment-Pickard’s leadership.
She said: “After three highly successful years with Hugh, Cat’s appointment is very exciting. Her depth of knowledge of the sector will be invaluable as we continue to support teachers’ professionalism and development.”
The board of trustees said it was confident that Scutt’s experience would support the charity’s continued growth and its mission to support teachers and improve educational outcomes.