We are very sorry to hear the sad news of the death of Ian Kershaw, who was the Chief Executive Officer of Northern Education Trust between 2014 and 2017. Ian had a wealth of experience in the education sector. He was an executive head teacher of a residential special school, an experienced secondary school principal and also led an Education Action Zone. Ian was well known and respected for his work as the Independent Chief Adviser who led the work on the ‘Trojan Horse’ investigation in Birmingham. He also spent time as the Managing Director of Northern Education Associates, and as a National Challenge Adviser for the Department for Education (DfE). Ian retired from full time work in 2022 but continued to support the sector by acting as both a trustee and a member on various boards.

Ian will be remembered as always having the best interests of children and young people at the core of everything he did. He was well liked and admired by his colleagues at Northern Education Trust, not just for his work ethic, but for the personal support and encouragement he provided to many. Ian was kind and friendly with a warm heart, and often spoke with immense pride about his family. He was loved by many, and he will be sadly missed.

Ian Kershaw
31-01-1945 – 16-11-2025