The CEO of one of England鈥檚 biggest MATs is set to step down after five years in the job. David Ross Education Trust鈥檚 board has launched a search for chief executive Stuart Burns鈥檚 successor, as it prepares for his departure this autumn. Burns stressed he 鈥渨ill remain on hand as long as is deemed necessary to ensure a smooth handover鈥�. 鈥淒RET is a strong trust, and it has been humbling to see how far the organisation has come thanks to the superb talent we have across all our schools and the dedicated support services we run,鈥� he added. 鈥淪eeing the trust grow has been a particular highlight 鈥� two schools joined us just last year and I am confident that others will be following in their footsteps over the coming period.鈥� He does not have another job lined up, but will “consider other [job] possibilities later聽in聽the聽year”. David Ross The trust said that under Burns鈥檚 stewardship it has 鈥渆njoyed a successful period of growth, investment and stability鈥�. It has also improved 鈥渋ts Ofsted profile with well in excess of 90 per cent of its grades鈥� at 鈥榞ood鈥� or 鈥榦utstanding鈥�. David Ross, chair of the trust, said 鈥� is in a much stronger position鈥�. This has positioned the organisation 鈥渨ell as we move into this next chapter鈥�, he added. The trust wants to secure a leader to replace Burns 鈥渨ho can build on this strong foundation and continue the trust鈥檚 upward trajectory鈥�. DRET runs 36 schools in all, making it one of the 30 largest trusts in England.