Sir Peter Birkett

Sir Peter Birkett is a pioneering and innovative presence in education, charity and business, with over 30 years of experience working across these sectors. Sir Peter started his career in education as a lecturer, later becoming the Principal and CEO of two Further Education Colleges. A pioneer in his field, in 2007 Sir Peter created the UK’s first college-led federation made up of one further education college, two primary academies, two secondary academies and three vocational skills academies, and in 2013 he was appointed as the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the GEMS Group in the UK and Europe. .  

In honour of his work in the field of education, Sir Peter Birkett was awarded a Knighthood in the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Birthday Honours in 2012 for his Services to Further Education, Schools and the Academy Movement.