Dr John Graystone

Dr John Graystone has been with the Leadership Academy since 2018 and has enjoyed seeing the organisation grow and develop. He has extensive experience in the education sector having been Chief Executive of CollegesWales, interim director of National Institute of Adult Continuing Education Cymru and Executive Chair of Agored Cymru. His current roles include Chair of Agored Cymru and Adult Learning Wales, and member of the higher education funding council for Wales, the independent Welsh pay review body and a governor for Bridgend College.

John is a respected consultant in the education sector, having worked with over 200 governing bodies and senior management teams in the UK and internationally. He has been published regularly in journals such as the education press and the Western Mail.

John was awarded his doctorate in 2000 for research into the governance of FE colleges in the UK. He has received honorary fellowships from Coleg Sir Gâr and Bridgend College, the Chancellor’s Medal from the University of Glamorgan and has been recognised for his services to education by the Association for College Management. In 2017, he was awarded a lifetime achievement in education award by the Times Educational Supplement.

John would like to see the Leadership Academy continue to act as a stimulator of innovative ideas and creative thinking, supporting a wide range of high-quality aspiring leaders. John’s aspirations are for the Leadership Academy to be recognised for its crucial role and becomes an established partner in the educational landscape in Wales.

In his spare time, John enjoys reading, walking, visiting the theatre, playing tennis, and cycling.