Career Academies UK Team
Senior Management Team
John May Chief Executive
Trained as a teacher, John has worked with children and young people in a variety
of situations, from schools in suburban England to refugee camps in Uganda. He became
a head teacher at 28, briefly holding the dubious honour of being the youngest head
in the country, and developed a reputation for regenerating underperforming schools.
In 1999, John joined Business in the Community as Director of Education - a position
he held until invited to become our first Chief Executive in 2003. John is a former
National Teaching Awards judge; a founding director of London's Teach First programme
and a member of the World Scout Committee's education task force. John received
The Queen's Award for Enterprise Promotion in April 2008.
Ruth Griffiths Programme Director
Ruth has extensive experience in education (including previously managing the Career
Academy at Lewisham College) and continues to work with AQA as an examiner for Law
and Citizenship.
Martyn Drain Director
Martyn is our Chief Operating Officer and also account manages the Career Academies
in the East of England. He brings 20 years' human resources experience, including
Regional HR Director roles in Asia and Europe with a large international banking
group. Martyn is Secretary for the London Human Resources Group, a leading 'think
tank' for HR professionals, and a trustee of several other charities.
Karen Porter Director of Marketing and Communications
Karen is currently on maternity leave from Career Academies UK. She has 13 years'
communications experience in the not-for-profit sector, latterly at the London School
of Economics and the education department of Southwark Council.
Diane Kendall Director of Regions
Diane is responsible for developing our regional strategy, and account manages the
Career Academies in the Midlands. She brings 25 years of corporate business experience
from BT and O2, including delivering BT's education and community programme in the
Midlands. Diane also serves as a Special Constable with West Midlands Police.
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