Sir Jon Coles was appointed as an independent member of the College Council in July 2019. he is also a member of the Finance Committee.

Sir Jon Coles is Chief Executive of United Learning, a group of over 80 academies and independent schools established 130 years ago.

Jon spent 15 years at the Department for Education and its predecessors, the last four on its Board as Director General for Schools and for Education Standards. He was previously Director of 14-19, leading work to increase participation in education and training post-16 and attainment at 19; and Director of London Challenge, developing and implementing the much-copied strategy to improve schools in London.

Jon has Chaired schools charity Challenge Partners since its inception, is a trustee of the Prince’s Teaching Institute and a Council Member of King’s College, London. He was knighted in 2019 for services to education.