Stuart Shelton Appointed As New Principal and CEO of The Princethorpe Foundation

After a rigorous selection process, the trustees of The Princethorpe Foundation have
announced the appointment of Stuart Shelton to the role of CEO and Foundation Principal,
with effect from September 2027.

Mr Shelton will take over from Ed Hester, who will be retiring after 18 years of outstanding
service leading the Foundation.

Currently Headteacher of St Peter’s Catholic School in Solihull, a role he has held for the
past four years, Stuart has led the school to an ‘Outstanding’ Ofsted judgement and through
a major collaborative expansion project. In addition, he has a wealth of senior leadership
experience gained in both the state and independent school sectors. He had previously
been Deputy Headteacher of The Priory School in Birmingham, Head of Secondary at The
Doha British School in Qatar and Executive Headteacher of Four Dwellings Primary and
Secondary Academies in Birmingham.

Married with four children, a keen sportsman and a committed Catholic, Stuart originally
trained as an engineer with Jaguar Land Rover before becoming a PE teacher. He has a MA
in Educational Leadership and is currently participating in the Archdiocese of Birmingham’s
first Catholic Leadership Programme.

Commenting on the appointment, John Fisher, Chair of Trustees explains, “The trustees
were impressed with not only Stuart’s excellent personal qualities and his educational
leadership credentials, but also the considerable business and commercial acumen he
brings to the role. His ambition and vision for the Foundation is clear, and we are confident
that he will be a worthy successor to Ed Hester. With the support of our three outstanding
Heads and the Foundation Directors, Stuart will uphold our ethos and values and lead the
Foundation forward strongly into its next chapter.”

Stuart Shelton adds, “I am tremendously excited and honoured to take on the CEO and
Principal role, entrusted with guiding the future direction of the Foundation. The aspirational
aims and inclusive ethos of The Princethorpe Foundation resonate strongly with my own
vision for education and the nurturing of young people. I am really looking forward to getting
to know the wider communities at Princethorpe College, Crackley Hall and Crescent School.

Ed Hester commented “I am very grateful to the trustees for involving me in the process to
select my successor. Stuart is a superb appointment and I am really looking forward to
working closely with him over the next year, to ensure a smooth handover in the run up to
him taking over the reins.