Colin Diamond CBE joins University of Birmingham to create next generation of school leaders

The University of Birmingham has appointed former Birmingham City Council education chief Colin Diamond CBE as Professor of Educational Leadership.

Professor Diamond has joined the University’s School of Education and will lead the establishment of a new Educational Leadership Academy which will aim to transform the skills of existing and aspiring school leaders to create strong leaders of the future.

Professor Diamond, previously Executive Director for Education at Birmingham City Council, is a renowned educational leader and national figure in education. He has served as Deputy Education Commissioner for the Department for Education and is consequently a respected source of advice to the UK Government.

Professor Julie Allan, Head of the School of Education, commented: “We are thrilled to welcome Professor Diamond who will, without doubt, bring great expertise and experience in leadership and will steer the establishment of an exceptional Educational Leadership Academy.”

Professor Colin Diamond said: “I am delighted to join the University of Birmingham’s School of Education and to have the opportunity to be at the forefront of creating an Education Leadership Academy.

“The Academy will be a centre of excellence, based on the West Midlands’ current outstanding education practice, and the programme will be of benefit to the entire global educational community.

“I am confident that by combining my own extensive experience within education practice across all levels with the vast expertise of colleagues at the University of Birmingham’s School of Education, we can create an Academy that will shape the future leadership of schools internationally.”

For more information please contact Emma McKinney, Communications Manager (Health Sciences), University of Birmingham, tel: +44 (0) 121 414 6681, or contact the press office on +44 (0) 7789 921 165.

• The University of Birmingham is ranked amongst the world’s top 100 institutions. Its work brings people from across the world to Birmingham, including researchers, teachers and more than 5,000 international students from over 150 countries.