Education charity appoints new CEO to lead next phase of growth
Titan Partnership has appointed Harriet McCann as its new CEO, as the North & West Birmingham education charity begins implementing a new strategy to strengthen schools and expand opportunities for children and young people.
McCann (pictured) joins Titan from the National Youth Agency, where she served as director of Policy, Insights and External Affairs, bringing experience spanning education, youth policy, communications and the civic sector.
Her appointment follows Titan's 25th anniversary and marks the start of the charity's next phase of development.
Titan brings together schools, further and higher education providers, employers, local authorities, health services and community organisations, working on the principle that lasting change for children happens when the organisations around them collaborate.
Under McCann's leadership, the charity will build on its existing network of schools while strengthening partnerships across Birmingham's public, civic, business and voluntary sectors.
Over the next three years, Titan says it is aiming to help create a more connected education system in which schools have the support and opportunities they need, with a particular focus on communities in North & West Birmingham, including the Perry Barr and Ladywood constituencies, where many children and families face significant barriers to opportunity.
McCann began her career as a teacher of History, Classics and Latin before moving into policy, communications and external affairs, with previous roles at the National Literacy Trust and Youth Futures Foundation.
She has also served as an expert panel member for the Department for Education, contributing to work on Personal, Social and Employability qualification standards.
She said: "I'm thrilled to be joining Titan as chief executive and to have the opportunity to lead an organisation whose mission I believe in deeply.
“Titan has an important role to play in bringing schools and partners together, strengthening the local education workforce and creating opportunities for children and young people to thrive.
“I'm looking forward to working with headteachers, schools and the Titan team to understand where Titan can add most value and create opportunities that schools may not have the time or capacity to pursue alone.
“I'm also excited to build partnerships with organisations across Birmingham that share our commitment to improving outcomes and opportunities for children and young people.”
Colin Turner, chair of trustees at Titan Partnership, said: “Harriet brings a wealth of experience from her previous roles, and we are confident that her leadership will have an immediate and lasting impact on Titan, our partner schools and the communities we serve.”
As part of its new strategy, Titan will seek investment in innovative programmes responding to the needs of young people in its communities, including enrichment opportunities beyond the classroom.
The charity is inviting businesses, universities, funders and civic organisations to work alongside Titan and its schools to help strengthen communities across North & West Birmingham.
