The boss and co-founder of the (EPI) will leave her role at the think tank for a senior job at the country鈥檚 largest exam board. EPI CEO Natalie Perera has announced she will step down from her position at the end of January, having been at the helm since its creation in 2015. Sir Chris Husbands, the EPI鈥檚 chair, said Perera鈥檚 鈥渧ision and passion were instrumental in co-founding this organisation and building it into the respected, high-impact body it is today鈥�. She will join AQA as chief external affairs and communications officer, as the exam board looks to 鈥渇urther strengthen…at a crucial period in the education sector鈥�. Husbands added: 鈥淥n behalf of the entire board, I want to extend our deepest gratitude to Natalie for a decade of outstanding leadership. 鈥淪he leaves EPI in a strong position, and we wish her all the very best in her new role.” The EPI said its board 鈥渉as begun the process of searching for a new chief executive to lead [it] into its next chapter鈥�. ‘Right time to step away’ Before launching the research body with former schools minister David Laws, Perera worked as a civil servant for over a decade, starting in the Department for Education. Between 2014 and 2015, she was seconded to the Cabinet Office, where she worked in the deputy prime minister鈥檚 office. She said the 鈥渢ime feels right for me to step away, knowing that EPI will continue to flourish鈥�. Anna Trethewey 鈥淚’m looking forward to joining AQA, a charity which I have admired and worked with closely over the years, and I am pleased that this new role gives me the opportunity to continue to work with closely with the sector.鈥� The announcement came as AQA also confirmed United Learning Trust director of curriculum and assessment Dale Bassett will re-join the organisation as chief qualifications officer. Meanwhile, Anna Trethewey, its current chief corporate affairs and strategy officer, will move into the newly created role of chief strategy and vocational officer. CEO Colin Hughes said: 鈥淭hese appointments further strengthen AQA鈥檚 executive team at a crucial period in the education sector.鈥�