St Albans Education Group Appoints Mike Lewis MBE, as Chief Operating Officer

We are delighted to announce the appointment of Mike Lewis MBE, as Chief Operating Officer of St Albans Education Group (STAEG). STAEG was established in 2024 following the merger of Stormont School with St Albans High School for Girls, one of the UK’s leading independent schools. Mike becomes the Group’s first COO, joining the Executive Team led by Principal Amber Waite.

Mike’s appointment follows an extensive recruitment process led by the independent school specialists Odgers Berndtson.

After reading Aeronautics & Astronautics at Southampton, Mike went to the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst, commissioning into the Royal Engineers. He served for 22 years in the British Army in a variety of increasingly senior roles, in the UK and abroad. Mike then brought his experience to the education sector as Director of Operations for the Haberdashers’ Elstree Schools and more recently to NHS England. For the past seven years he has been a trustee of Watford Grammar School for Girls, where he is currently Vice-Chair.

Mike is married to Victoria, a professional classical musician, and has three grown up children. His interests include snowboarding (when ageing knee joints permit), sea kayaking around the southern coastline and along the River Thames and he is a weekend rugby first aider.

Mike said, ‘I am delighted to be joining STAEG. Being in on the ‘ground floor’ of a new, dynamic group backed by STAHS, one of the country’s educational powerhouses is a rare opportunity. I am looking forward to becoming part of the STAEG community of pupils, parents and colleagues and contributing to the development and success of the Group.’

Amber Waite, Principal of St Albans Education Group said: ‘Mike stood out from a strong field of candidates. His combination of strategic and operational experience, coupled with his commitment to enabling the best educational experience and outcomes for students will be a great asset to STAEG. Exciting times lie ahead for STAEG as we grow our group, and I am confident Mike will bring clear-sighted, warm and authoritative leadership to our operations.’