Academy trust chief executive received inflation-busting rise of at least 15 per cent, three times national pay award for teachers

The chief executive of a moderately-sized multi-academy trust received a pay rise of at least 15 per cent last academic year –despite its secondary school going on to receive a “termination warning notice” from the government.

John Abbott, CEO of the Richard Huish Trust, a seven-academy chain based in Taunton in Somerset, saw his pay climb from £120-£130,000 in 2021-22 to £150-£160,000 last year.

That was a rise of at least 15.4 per cent, or £20,000, and possibly as high as 33.3 per cent, or £40,000, depending on where in the published range his actual pay was, in both years.

This is treble the national pay award for most teachers for that year, with most teachers awarded five per cent and an 8.9 per cent increase in starting salaries from September 2022.

Mr Abbott’s employer’s pensions contributions in 2022-23 were £30-£40,000, which was unchanged from the previous year. This made his total pay and pensions package £180-£200,000 in 2022-23.