What I learnt in my first 100 days as CEO - Establishing vision, creating team cohesion & rethinking Ofsted priorities

In this week’s episode, we welcome Neil Miley, the newly appointed CEO of Mercia Learning Trust, who shares a unique glimpse into his journey through his first 100 days in leadership. With a career rooted in education and a dedication to supporting staff and students alike, Neil reflects on the challenges and successes he’s encountered as he transitions into his role. We delve into Neil’s observations on building trust and cohesion among senior leaders and staff, his approach to understanding Sheffield’s educational landscape, and the adjustments he’s making to foster a supportive, innovative culture at Mercia.

Neil shares his experiences and insights from transitioning from Dixons Academies Trust to Mercia, comparing the distinctive cultures and strategies of each, including ground breaking initiatives like the 9-day working fortnight at Dixons. We explore whether similar flexible working policies could be on the horizon at Mercia and the importance of adapting leadership practices to fit community needs and local contexts.

In our conversation, Neil also reveals the impact of documenting his first 100 days - highlighting his reflections on establishing a leadership style, creating open communication channels, and developing a vision for sustainable, internally-driven growth at Mercia. Moving away from Ofsted-driven decisions, Neil shares his vision for fostering an educational environment that prioritises the growth and development of students and staff alike, beyond external frameworks and metrics.

Whether you're an educational leader, aspiring CEO, or someone passionate about trust leadership, this episode offers an honest look into what it takes to lead with vision, balance, and community awareness.

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To find out more about Neil Miley, visit his LinkedIn profile.

All views expressed in this episode are the guest's own. Any mention of commercial providers, resources or products is on the guest’s recommendation and should not be considered an endorsement by The Key.