A 43-school academy trust has named a Department for Education director and former ESFA boss as its new CEO. Warwick Sharp will leave his job in Whitehall and take over the reins at in May, it has been announced. He will move into the position that has remained vacant since the MAT鈥檚 last chief executive, Julian Drinkall, suddenly stepped down only 18 months into the job. Ian Wilson, GLF鈥檚 chair of trustees, said: 鈥淲e were impressed by Warwick鈥檚 clear alignment with our mission and values, as well as his record in leading complex organisations through strategic evolution. 鈥淗is strong leadership capabilities, combined with deep experience in organisational development, operational excellence, and long鈥憈erm strategic planning, will be invaluable as we continue to strengthen and grow.鈥� Time at DfE and ESFA A former teacher, Sharp is currently director of strategy and delivery at the DfE, having previously been the ESFA鈥檚 director of academies and maintained schools between 2020 and 2023. Julian Drinkall Prior to that, he was the ESFA鈥檚 interim CEO and principal private secretary to three education secretaries 鈥� Justine Greening, Damian Hinds and Sir Gavin Williamson. 鈥淚 am extremely honoured to be appointed as the new CEO of one of the largest multi-academy trusts in the country,鈥� Sharp said. 鈥淚 see my new role as a huge privilege and look forward to building on the continuing success of GLF Schools.鈥� Since Drinkall鈥檚 departure last May, CFO James Nicholson has been running the trust on an interim basis. He said he is 鈥渆xcited to work with Warwick鈥�. With 43 schools under its banner, GLF is the 12th-largest trust in England.