Andrew Best

Andrew Best

Director/Business Owner/School Governor

Current Activity:

For Schools Support Limited – Director and shareholder in School Software Business, providing Quality Assurance and Phonics software to schools, parents and pupils. Also provide tailored school surveys and undertake senior leader recruitment, mainly Headteacher or equivalent.

Fairfax Multi-Academy Trust – Chair of Trustees for 4 school MAT, one all-through to 16, one 12 to 18 and two 12 to 16. High levels of Pupil premium and SEND in three of four schools. Based in Birmingham and Solihull with 4500+ students and budget of £30m+.

Previous Experience:

Governance – Have been Chair of Governors at 3 schools, including Kenilworth School and Sixth Form, over last 22 years.

Cocentra Limited – Commercial director and shareholder in start-up (2002) school advisory business focused on delivering government contracts, in-school advisory support, surveys and Headteacher recruitment. This included a large contract to provide support for “schools facing challenging circumstances” and supporting LAs and Commercial businesses in the “Building Schools for the Future” programme. Business was sold successfully in 2010.

Commercial banking and venture capital - Held Finance and IT director posts in a number of HSBC subsidiaries as well as group strategic role working on a number of joint ventures, including with Yahoo in the US and BT/Sky in UK. Also worked North American financial institutions in corporate finance/venture funding roles.

Education/Qualifications:

Chartered Accountant

Corporate Treasurer

Bristol University – Economics and Accounting – BSC 2.1

London Comprehensive  - 13 O Levels and 3 A Levels

Personal/Family details:

Married 34 years with 3 grown up children, all went to Kenilworth.

Play tennis, padel, cycle, swim, ski and bridge. Other interests include films, museums and gardens.