Julian Drinkall is stepping down as chief executive of GLF Schools with immediate effect.

Mr Drinkall became CEO of the 43-school trust in 2023, but today the trust has announced that he will be leaving his role by “mutual agreement”.

He was previously chief executive of Academies Enterprise Trust (now Lift Schools), a position he held from 2016 to 2021, before joining international education provider Aga Khan Schools.

A spokesperson for GLF Schools said: “We can confirm that, by mutual agreement, Julian Drinkall has stepped down from his role as chief executive officer effective immediately. We thank him for his hard work and contribution.”

“GLF Schools is grateful to its executive team, headteachers and staff for their continued leadership and dedication across its 43 schools,” the spokesperson added.

Earlier this year, GLF announced that it was pooling academies’ reserves, which the multi-academy trust said was to “provide resilience” in case government funding does not cover pay rises or other costs.

Mr Drinkall was known as a “turnaround” MAT chief at Academies Enterprise Trust after serious concerns were raised about the chain’s performance.

GLF’s board of trustees has appointed James Nicholson as interim CEO. He previously held the role of chief financial officer.

“James has developed strong knowledge and understanding of GLF to combine with his 24 years of experience in senior leadership of academy trusts, including leading an academy trust.”