National Institute of Teaching appoints respected chief operating officer
Amrit Singh has been appointed as the new chief operating officer of the National Institute of Teaching.
Amrit joins NIoT from education charity nasen (the National Association for Special Educational Needs), where he was Chief Operating Officer. He brings a wealth of finance, commercial and higher education experience to the role. Amrit replaces Katy Bradford, who was Founding Chief Operating Officer, as she returns to Outwood Grange Academies Trust to take up a role as co-deputy CEO.
Amrit moved to education in 2020 after a career in financial services, notably as Finance Director for a €500m revenue division at Deutsche Bank. Before that, he worked in the retail sector with household brands Next and Signet Jewellers. As Chief Operating Officer at nasen he oversaw a significant shift in the way the national charity was run in the post-pandemic climate. Today, nasen has over 95,000 members and reaches over 75% of schools across England. In May this year Amrit attended HRH King Charles’ Garden Party to celebrate the Coronation at Buckingham Palace, for services to children and education.
'Helping us become a confident, streamlined charity'
Melanie Renowden, chief executive officer at the National Institute of Teaching, said: “It’s a real coup to be able to appoint someone as well-respected as Amrit. His cross-sector experience will be invaluable to us; helping us become a confident, streamlined charity as we continue our important work in teacher professional development.
“Amrit’s experience is extremely relevant to us on our route to degree awarding powers and university status.”
A Brummie by birth, Amrit has lived around the UK in Birmingham, Tunbridge Wells and Chester and has worked in Mumbai, India. In 2019 he moved to Codsall, South Staffordshire with his young family and cavapoo. In his spare time Amrit enjoys a wide range of music and continues a 15-year battle to learn the guitar with his two young daughters now helping him play. He is a supporter of Aston Villa and this year took his 3-year-old to her first ever match.
'School-led approach'
Amrit said: “I’m delighted to be joining the NIoT to support the next phase of our journey in becoming a university. NIoT is well positioned in being both national and local in its approach to teacher development and coupled with the depth of talent throughout the organisation, this is an incredibly exciting time to join.
“The NIoT’s school-led approach, with a research agenda developed in consultation with teachers and leaders, will spotlight the best ways to develop the nation’s educators, from initial teacher training through to system leadership. This is vital in ensuring the best outcomes for all children and young people and I am proud to become part of this journey.”
Amrit’s immediate focus will be on developing the organisational infrastructure whilst providing support to the board, CEO, and senior leadership team, allowing them to deliver the programme, academic and research aspects of the Institute.