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Chairing

Succession planning for the chair

A guide to help governing boards make succession planning for the role of chair part of their long-term practice.

Guidance
01/12/2025
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Succession planning is about ensuring continuity within an organisation by having the right people in the right place at the right time. 

When chair succession planning works, it creates the conditions for strong chairs to move on to another school or trust after a reasonable time. This contributes to strengthening governance throughout the system and to the success of schools and trusts.

This guide is intended to support governing boards in all types of school structure by making succession planning for the chair part of their long-term practice.

Our guide to succession planning covers:

  • what to consider when electing a chair
  • succession planning activities that work
  • creating the right culture for talent to emerge
  • how to access support

Succession planning for the chair

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