New Chief Executive at Together for Children

SUNDERLAND'S Together for Children (TfC) has appointed a new Chief Executive and Director of Children's Services.

Simon Marshall (56) is a former headteacher and has been Sunderland's Director of Education since 2017. He succeeds TfC's Chief Executive Jill Colbert OBE who has joined Nottingham City Council.

As TfC lead and children's services director, Mr Marshall said he will continue delivering the highest quality children's social care, education and early help services, all the necessary infrastructure, and leading 1,100 members of staff.

In its most recent full Ofsted inspection in 2021, TfC and Sunderland Children's Services were rated as 'outstanding'. In the last 18 months, Ofsted inspections of children's homes and child protection plans have also been rated 'outstanding' and 'timely and effective', respectively.

Mr Marshall was a headteacher for 12 years before being appointed as Director of Education. This included being head at Sunderland's Highfield Primary School where he was recognised nationally for developing innovative school-based mental health services to support children and families. In 2014 he was named School Leader of the year in the National Wellbeing School Awards. 

The City Council's Cabinet Member for Children's Services, Child Poverty and Skills, Councillor Michael Butler said: "We are delighted to confirm Simon's appointment as Chief Executive and children's services director.

"A thanks must go to all the candidates who expressed an interest and entered the recruitment process. It was a very capable and competitive field which I believe has reflected well on our city and the region when we can attract this level of interest.

"Simon has been a strong, inspiring Director of Education and has a wealth of experience. We all look forward to more work with him and continuing to ensure that we offer and provide the very best for children, young people and families across the city."

As education director, Mr Marshall has in the last five years overseen more than £24m of extra investment in Special Educational Needs (SEND) provision, including extra places for more than 250 children and expanded facilities. He has also developed a highly successful school improvements service that delivers training to schools across the city and the North East region.

Commenting on his new appointment as TfC Chief Executive, Mr Marshall said: "I want to put on the record a thanks to my predecessor Jill Colbert OBE for the exemplary leadership, team and partnership work that she helped inspire at Together for Children. As it always has been, everyone in TfC, education services, social care and early help wants the very best for all children and young people across all our city.

"We will continue to deliver services for all our children and young people so they lead safe, happy, healthy and successful lives, and in a city where they can fulfil and realise their full potential."