Clifton College Announces Neil Sachdev MBE as Chair of Council

Clifton College is pleased to announce Nilesh (Neil) Sachdev MBE, as our new Chair of Council.

The appointment was announced to the Clifton College Education Group community this morning in a letter from Nick Tolchard, President of Clifton College.

In his letter, Nick said:

Having served seven years as Chair of Council alongside my past two years as President of College, the appointment of Dr Chris Stevens as Executive Head marks a timely opportunity to transition to new leadership of Council. Although the Chair is elected annually, there is typically an expectation of a three-year term, and my fellow Council members led a robust, wide-ranging search across external sectors and our wider community to ensure we secured an outstanding candidate.

We are delighted to announce the appointment of Nilesh (Neil) Sachdev, MBE, as our new Chair of Council. Neil brings extraordinary leadership experience spanning higher education, public companies, major private enterprises, and purpose-led government bodies. Following senior executive roles at Tesco and Sainsbury’s, he currently serves as Chair of HM Land Registry, Natural Resources Wales, and Pro-Chancellor and Chair of Council at the University of Warwick. His extensive governance background includes chairing the East West Railway Company, the Defence Infrastructure Organisation, and the Energy Saving Trust, where he earned an MBE for services to energy efficiency. Neil’s background in guiding complex organisations through growth makes him very well-suited for the College.

Like all members of Council, the Chair serves on an uncompensated basis, and we are grateful to Neil for agreeing to give his time to support the College. The role entails chairing Council meetings, safeguarding the school's core values and mission, maintaining high standards of pupil safeguarding and wellbeing, and holding ultimate responsibility to the Independent Schools Inspectorate and the Department for Education.

Recent years have brought challenges; however, we have achieved notable milestones, including the opening of the Chellaram Sports Complex following the largest donation in College history, expanding bursary support through governor donations, pupils leaving the College to study at the world's best universities and institutions, as well as gaining professional sporting contracts or performing arts opportunities, and broadening our community through the inclusion of Tockington Manor School and the English Language Centre, Bristol, joining the Clifton College Education Group.

Speaking on his appointment, Neil said, "It is a huge honour to be appointed Chair of Council at Clifton College. Clifton has an extraordinary heritage, but what excites me most is the opportunity to build on that heritage for the future. I have been struck throughout the process by the quality and commitment of the people I have met and by the ambition for our pupils and the wider Clifton community. I am very much looking forward to working with Dr Chris Stevens, Council and colleagues across the group to help Clifton flourish, providing an exceptional education for our pupils, strengthening our contribution to Bristol and wider society, and ensuring this remarkable institution is even stronger for the generations that follow us.”

Alison Eynon, Council member who chaired the appointment panel, reflected, “To ensure we secured the very best leadership for the College, Council undertook a thorough and rigorous search, considering an exceptionally strong field of candidates. Throughout a highly competitive process, Neil stood out for his strategic insight, breadth of experience and strong alignment with the College’s values and ambitions for the future. We are confident that he brings the judgement, commitment and leadership needed to chair Council as the College enters its next chapter. I would like to thank my fellow Council members and colleagues across the College for the considerable time, thought and care they brought to the process.”

Dr Chris Stevens, Executive Head of the Clifton College Education Group, said, “I am delighted to welcome Neil as our Chair of Council at this exciting moment for the Group. The depth of his strategic leadership and governance experience will be invaluable. I very much look forward to working in close partnership with him and Council to uphold our values and secure a bright future for all our community.”

Throughout my tenure, I have strived to work closely with our Heads to preserve the values of a Clifton education while embracing new opportunities. The role of Council is to support the executive leadership of the Group and drive a long-term strategy for future generations. We warmly welcome Neil and our new Council members as they focus on this vital work in the years ahead.