One of the most influential academy trust bosses is set to step down after more than two decades in the job. Ark chief executive Lucy Heller 鈥� who oversees 39 schools across the country 鈥� will leave the role at the end of this academic year. Trust chair Tina Alexandrou said Heller 鈥渉as dedicated more than two decades to making sure that children get the education they deserve鈥�. 鈥淣ot only has she grown a network of successful schools where young people can truly flourish, but her influence on the wider sector 鈥� as a credible voice and tireless champion of educational equity 鈥� is substantial.鈥� 22 years at Ark Heller, who leads the trust as well as the wider Ark charity, joined as the founding director of the organisation鈥檚 academy trust, , in 2004. She became CEO of the wider charity eight years later. Ark said she arrived in the organisation鈥檚 鈥渆arly days鈥� when it had a small portfolio of local and international partnerships in social care, health, including HIV treatment, and education programmes. Under her stewardship it has 鈥渋ncubated 21 ventures鈥�, including Ark Curriculum Plus and Ark Teacher Training, that have 鈥渋mpacted over 5.5 million children in the UK鈥� and reach millions more around the world each year. The charity added that its academy trust educates 鈥渘early double the national average of children eligible for free school meals鈥�. It has 鈥渃onsistently ranked among the top MATs for key stage 2 outcomes鈥�, with 85 per cent of year 13 pupils progressing to university. ‘Legacy’ Ark chair Ian Wace said: 鈥淟ucy鈥檚 willingness to collaborate, innovate and push for systemic change will leave an enduring mark on education 鈥� in the UK and around the world. 鈥淲e all started the journey of Ark Schools together and she has shaped what it is today. Ark will stand proudly as a legacy of her endeavour.鈥� Ark has confirmed it will appoint two new CEOs to replace Heller. One will run the wider charity, while the other will lead the academy trust. It believes this will 鈥済ive each entity the focus it requires, while maintaining the close collaboration between schools and ventures鈥�. The boards are working with executive recruitment agency Saxton Bampfylde to fill the positions. Schools Week has asked Ark what Heller intends to do after she leaves.