James Toop joined Teach First in June 2025 as the Charity’s Chief Executive Officer. He began his career as part of Teach First’s inaugural cohort in 2003 and has since held senior leadership roles across the education and charity sectors, including CEO of Bite Back and Ambition Institute. He was previously Chair of Orion Education, a multi-academy trust with eight schools across the South East. With deep experience in both education and social justice, James brings a strong personal commitment to equity, a systems-change mindset, and a clear vision for supporting schools and pupils facing the greatest challenges.