Neil Blundell

CEO, Cathedral Schools Trust

Neil Blundell is the CEO of Cathedral Schools Trust, a multi academy trust serving 12 schools (primary and secondary) and over 6,000 students in the wider Bristol area. Neil was headteacher at Bristol Cathedral Choir School (BCCS) from 2008 and worked through the growth of the organisation from 300 students to over 1,200. In 2013, he founded Cathedral Primary School, a free school sharing a campus with BCCS, and in 2019 successfully opened Trinity Academy, a secondary free school with a music specialism. Cathedral Schools Trust was formed in 2016 and BCCS became a teaching school in the same year. Neil has worked in a number of settings across the region as an NLE, EE, CTI coach and NPQEL facilitator.

1 Workshops series two

Navigating in a time of mergers and growth: A leadership journey

According to the Edurio National CST School Trust Report 2025, one in six trusts (15%) report considering merging with another trust, and 59% of CEOs report that they expect to open or add schools to their trust in the next year. This session will explore how strong leadership and positive culture underpin the entire merger process, and are essential to its success. Join colleagues from Edwin People in an exploration with three CEOs that are at different stages of this journey to understand the human and strategic sides of merger and trust growth. Delegates will learn from key lessons encountered through the merger process, and the impact on how adult wellbeing drives sustained outcomes for children. Join this workshop to hear where the role of a Chief People Officer/People Director fits into the overall merger strategy, and understand both the challenges and opportunities at play.