Head of academy sponsor quits

Sir Bruce Liddington

The head of an academies chain under pressure over its finances has resigned

Sir Bruce Liddington, director general of E–ACT — which runs Oldham Academy North — will leave in October after four years in charge.

Until then he will be seconded to a post providing advice to the Government on developing academy sponsors.

His resignation comes a week after the group received an official warning by the Government over its finances. E-Act runs 31 academies and free schools and is in the process of taking over Oldham’s Richmond Primary School.

Sir Bruce — reported to be one of the best-paid figures in education — was knighted for turning around Northampton School for Boys when he was headteacher.

Sir Bruce visited Oldham in 2011 to take part in a ceremony at the site of the new Oldham Academy North building in Royton.