Teach First announces James Toop as new CEO

James will join Teach First from his current role as CEO of Bite Back and has previously served as the CEO of Ambition Institute and its predecessor Teaching Leaders.

Having originally trained as a teacher in Teach First's inaugural 2003 cohort, James has continued to tackle disadvantage through a variety of leadership and governance roles in the sector. He is also currently the Chair of Orion Education, a multi-academy trust.

Following a competitive selection process led by the Teach First Board of Trustees, James emerged as the standout candidate, bringing exceptional leadership experience in the education and charity sector, alongside a deep personal connection to the charity’s mission. He demonstrated a strong understanding of the challenges faced by Teach First’s partner teachers and pupils and a clear vision of the actions needed to better support them.

James will succeed Russell Hobby CBE, who has led the organisation since 2017 and will step down in the summer of 2025. During the coming months Russell and James will be working together to ensure a seamless transition, before James officially becomes CEO in the summer.   

Commenting on the appointment, Dame Vivian Hunt DBE, Chair of Teach First, said:

“We are delighted to welcome James Toop as the new CEO of Teach First. James started his career in the classroom as a Teach First trainee and brings a deep commitment to our mission, values and charity. His career has been committed to building leaders and organisations to close the gap in educational disadvantage and other forms of inequality. His journey is a powerful testament to the exceptional leaders that Teach First has nurtured over the past two decades and we’re excited to work with him in furthering our impact.

The entire Teach First community also extends its heartfelt thanks to Russell for his tireless service, as he steps down this summer after more than seven years of leadership.”

James Toop, incoming CEO of Teach First said:

“I am thrilled to be joining Teach First as its new Chief Executive. My experience as a teacher in the inaugural 2003 cohort deeply shaped my values, leadership and commitment to tackling educational inequality.

No child's potential should be limited by their background and Teach First has built a powerful movement of teachers and leaders driving this mission forward. Together we have an amazing opportunity to harness that collective leadership as we shape the charity’s next chapter.

I’m looking forward to working with Russell through the transition, alongside Teach First’s Board, staff and - most importantly - our incredible teachers and leaders to help unlock the potential in every child.”

Russell Hobby CBE, outgoing CEO of Teach First, said:

“I am delighted that an ambassador takes the helm at Teach First, and particularly one with such deep expertise in teaching, leadership and charity operations. James is an outstanding choice to take Teach First forward on the next phase of its journey. His commitment to the mission of tackling education disadvantage is rock solid.”

By the summer of 2025, Teach First will have recruited, trained and placed 20,000 teachers in schools serving disadvantaged communities and currently has more than 150 headteachers in its alumni. Independent research shows that students taught by a Teach First teacher get better GCSE grades, are more likely to go to university, and are less likely to be out of education, employment and training.

Media Contacts

For more information and interviews, please contact the Teach First press office on 020 3862 8000 (dial 4 for press), or email press@teachfirst.org.uk.

About Teach First

Teach First is an education charity committed to giving children facing the biggest barriers the chance to fulfil their potential. It backs the schools with the toughest challenges. The charity finds and trains teachers, develops school leadership teams and connects schools with networks of diverse expertise and opportunities to create real change. Read more about our impact.