Now Teach appoints new CEO

Now Teach, the charity supporting experienced people to become teachers, has appointed Graihagh Crawshaw-Sadler as its new CEO.

A former English and drama teacher, Graihagh joins Now Teach from Bookmark Reading Charity. Whilst at Bookmark, Graihagh transformed the charity’s programme delivery, achieving record numbers of reading sessions for pupils across England. As CEO she introduced a new digital platform, expanded school and fundraising partnerships and improved how the charity engaged with its volunteer community.

Before Bookmark, Graihagh was a Director at Teach First leading on Programmes, Partnerships and Strategy and taught in two London schools.

Graihagh said: “From my days in the classroom in Kilburn and Notting Hill to my time as at Bookmark, I know the difference a teacher makes.  Now Teach has the potential to be a key player in addressing the teacher recruitment crisis, to improve the lives of pupils and to drive social change.

“I can’t wait to lead the team to motivate even more career changers to bring their experience to the profession and support them to have the greatest possible impact.”

Lucy Kellaway OBE, Now Teach co-founder and economics teacher, said, “I couldn’t be more pleased that Graihagh is joining us as CEO. She has exactly the right mix of experience from Teach First and Bookmark Reading charity – but more important she has the energy, judgment and grit that we will need as we become an ever-greater force to be reckoned with in teacher recruitment.”

Now Teach’s Chair of Trustees, Graham Elton, “It is my pleasure to welcome Graihagh who brings a wealth of relevant experience and expertise. We are excited to have her on board and look forward to working together. She will be building on the work of our outgoing CEO, Deborah Mills, whose commitment and leadership helped drive our growth this year.”

Acting CEO and co-founder Katie Waldegrave MBE, “It was almost unheard of for a senior professional to start all over again as a teacher. As more and more people join Now Teach, we are seeing what positive things happen when experienced people bring their insight into schools – from sector-informed lessons to unique clubs to industry experts supporting school improvement.

“There is no one better than Graihagh to lead the next step of our growth as we seek to improve the outcomes of pupils across England alongside our incredible Now Teachers.”