Naresh Sonpar Elected Chair of City of London Corporation's Education Board

Naresh Sonpar has been elected as the new chair of the City of London Corporation’s Education Board, it was announced today.

Sonpar, a university lecturer and consultant with a distinguished career spanning both academia and the financial sector, brings a wealth of experience to his new role. He previously served as the Founding Director of Guildhouse Business School and boasts an impressive tenure as a Teach First Ambassador.

Expressing his gratitude and determination upon his election, Mr. Sonpar stated, “It is an honor and a privilege to be elected as Chair of the Education Board. First-class education is something that should be available to every child no matter their background or ability.”

Naresh Sonpar has been elected to chair our Education Board. It oversees our strategies for education, skills, and cultural and creative learning, and our programmes offering Londoners jobs, work experience, and apprenticeships. It also supports our schools. More here:… pic.twitter.com/99vPawH7BJ

— City of London (@cityoflondon) May 1, 2024

He continued, “As chair of the board, I am determined to do everything we can to ensure our schools and their pupils can attain even greater success. I am focused on ensuring that the resources we provide help take our schools to the next level and support their staff and pupils to give them the best experience through their educational journey.”

The Education Board, overseeing the City Corporation’s strategies for education, skills, and cultural and creative learning, plays a pivotal role in shaping the educational landscape of the City of London. In addition to managing programs offering Londoners jobs, work experience, and apprenticeships, the board supports the City Corporation’s Family of Schools.

Under its stewardship, the City Corporation sponsors 10 high-performing academies across Hackney, Islington, Newham, and Southwark through the City of London Academies Trust. Furthermore, it serves as the local education authority for one maintained primary school in the City of London and is proprietor of four independent schools.

Of notable mention are the achievements of schools under the City Corporation’s sponsorship. Five out of the 10 City of London Academies Trust schools hold an ‘outstanding’ Ofsted rating, with two more rated ‘good’ with ‘outstanding features’. The City of London School for Girls and the City of London Freemen’s School have consistently demonstrated excellence, with the former ranking as the top performing independent school for GCSE results in 2022 and 2023, and the latter being consistently placed among the top five co-educational boarding schools in the UK based on A-Level outcomes. Additionally, the City of London School has been recognized as ‘excellent’ by the Independent Schools’ Inspectorate for both the quality of pupils’ academic and other achievements, as well as for the quality of pupils’ personal development.

In his new capacity, Mr. Sonpar will be joined by John Griffiths, who has been elected as deputy chair of the board.

The City of London Corporation, the governing body of the Square Mile, is dedicated to fostering a vibrant and thriving City, supporting a diverse and sustainable London within a globally successful UK.