The Appointment of Rachel Owens as the New Chief Executive Officer

The Effingham Schools Trust is delighted to announce the appointment of Rachel Owens as the new Chief Executive Officer who will take over from Mr Mike Farmer, who is retiring in August 2026.

Rachel was born and raised in Bolton, Lancashire. She attended her local Catholic comprehensive, before going on to read History at Somerville College, Oxford. After a brief foray into the law, Rachel started her teaching career at Bury Grammar School in 1992. Since then, she has worked in every type of school – boarding and day, single gender and co-ed, state and independent, highly selective and comprehensive. As well as teaching History and Politics, Rachel has coached netball for over 30 years. In 2011, she was appointed Headmistress of St George’s School, Ascot, and since 2016 has been Headmistress of St George’s Weybridge. Rachel is currently vice-Chair of the HMC Sports Committee, and Chair of HMC Projects – a charity bringing able students from Eastern Europe to study at British boarding schools. She has also been a governor at 3 schools.
Rachel is the mother of twin sons, both of whom attended St George’s and are now at university, and is married to Tom, Head of Politics at RGS Guildford. She is an avid reader, and loves travelling and watching her sons play hockey in her spare time.

We are sure that the Effingham Schools Trust is going to have an exciting future ahead given Rachel’s leadership experience and qualities.