It is with mixed emotions that we announce the departure of Sajid Gulzar from his position as CEO of Prince Albert Community Trust. After more than 26 years of serving children across Birmingham and 14 dedicated years of service at PACT Sajid has decided to take on an exciting new role in Dubai with Kings’ Education.
Sajid's journey in education began in 1997 when he started teaching as an unqualified teacher at Cromwell Primary. He later earned his qualified teacher status and moved on to become an NQT at Park Hill, followed by a series of tenures at Anderton Park, Yew Tree, Parkfield, Adderley, and most recently, Prince Albert where he took up his first substantive headship and guided the school to an ‘Outstanding’ Ofsted rating in 2015.
In 2015, Sajid assumed the position of CEO at Prince Albert Community Trust, having co-founded the Multi Academy Trust alongside Deputy CEO, Phillipa Sherlock-Lewis. On a mission to support more schools and their students to reach their full potential, Sajid successfully led PACT through a series of school conversions, including Heathfield Primary, Highfield Junior and Infant School, Birchfield Primary and Sutton Park Primary School.
With visionary leadership, In September 2021, Sajid’s dream of providing a high-quality secondary education came to life when Prince Albert High School was officially opened by Nobel Laureate Malala Yousafzai. The opening of PA High marked a historic milestone in the Trust’s journey. It has been oversubscribed in its first two years and gained national attention.
Sajid has made a significant contribution to the education sector in his 26 years. He has served as an Inspector for Ofsted, National Leader of Education and member of the West Midlands Headteacher Advisory Board and worked nationally for the Association of School & College Leaders (ASCL). In these roles he has supported numerous schools and school leaders to develop and implement strategic plans for improving their educational outcomes. Sajid has spoken at numerous national conferences on many aspects of leadership and school improvement and is a guest lecturer at the University of Birmingham.
Outside of education, Sajid has held trustee positions at The Youth Sport Trust and Nasen, where he carried out international work on behalf of the charity, leading a project to train teachers of pupils with special educational needs across the Punjab province in Pakistan. He has also supported the business sector as an executive committee member at Birmingham’s Asian Business Chamber of Commerce.
In recognition of his services to education, Sajid was awarded an OBE in 2019. More recently, he has received an Honorary Fellowship from the University of Birmingham at their Education Leadership Academy in recognition of his outstanding contribution as a school and MAT leader in Birmingham.
PACT's Board has appointed Phillipa Sherlock Lewis, our longstanding Deputy CEO, as Sajid’s successor. With her unwavering commitment, expertise, and exceptional leadership skills, Phillipa is the ideal successor to lead our organisation forward. We are confident that under her guidance, PACT will continue to flourish and create a positive impact on the lives of our students, staff, and the communities we serve.
On leaving PACT Sajid Gulzar said “Leading the PACT has been the greatest privilege of my professional life. I have led a team of amazing staff who have achieved wonderful things for our pupils. Thousands of children have received a better education as result. I will look back with deep satisfaction at what we have achieved together, not least the legacy of a brand-new school that is already doing exceptional work. PACT is known nationally because of what we have achieved together. I leave the Trust in the most capable hands knowing that Phillipa Sherlock-Lewis will take our schools to even greater heights”.
PACTs Board of Trustees said “Under Sajid's visionary leadership, Prince Albert Community Trust has grown from strength to strength, and we are deeply grateful for the passion and dedication that he has brought to the Trust and the communities it serves.
Sajid promised each school community that they would send their children to schools that they could be truly proud of. Under his leadership this has been achieved. The legacy Sajid leaves will continue to inspire us as we move forward in the growth and evolution of PACT. We wish Sajid all the best in his new venture”.
