E-ACT CEO Tom Campbell named Oak National Academy Chair as curriculum and AI work enters next phase

Campbell takes up the role on October 9, succeeding Sir Ian Bauckham as Oak prepares for curriculum updates, further development of Aila and work on the digital national curriculum

Tom Campbell will take over as Chair of Oak National Academy’s governing board on October 9

Tom Campbell, Chief Executive Officer of multi-academy trust E-ACT, has been appointed Chair of Oak National Academy’s governing board, taking over from Sir Ian Bauckham on October 9.

The appointment puts an experienced school and trust leader at the head of Oak’s board as the organization moves into its next phase of curriculum and technology work. Oak says this will include updating its curriculum and resources for the refreshed national curriculum, developing the digital national curriculum and continuing work on AI tools for teachers.

Campbell is currently Chief Executive Officer of E-ACT, which operates 38 academies. Before joining the trust, he was Chief Education Officer at Greenwood Academies Trust, with responsibility for educational standards and curriculum quality across its schools.

His background also includes nearly seven years as Principal of Fullhurst Community College in Leicestershire, alongside experience advising government through the Department for Education’s Secondary Headteacher Reference Group.

AI and curriculum move higher up Oak’s agenda

Technology will be one part of Campbell’s remit. Oak says its next phase will include the “safe development of trustworthy, high-quality AI tools for teachers” alongside technical development of the digital national curriculum.

Campbell also has direct EdTech experience, having served as a Non-Executive Board Member at Olex.AI, formerly SchoolOnline, between 2023 and 2026. His work there included product development, market assessment and supporting the company’s scale-up.

Oak’s AI work currently includes Aila, its AI lesson-planning assistant. The tool has recently been tested in an independently evaluated randomized controlled trial involving primary teachers, adding an evidence strand to Oak’s wider development of AI-supported teaching resources.

Campbell referred directly to both curriculum and Aila when announcing his new position on LinkedIn. He wrote: “Please reach out if you want to help us continue delivering for schools through our work on curriculum and the fantastic AI tool Aila.”

He also thanked outgoing Chair Sir Ian Bauckham for his support during the handover, writing that he knew “how much you have put into this project since inception and what it means to you.”

A broader education leadership brief

Alongside his work at E-ACT, Campbell is Chair of the Leicestershire and Rutland Cricket Foundation and a Board Member of Leicestershire County Cricket Club.

His earlier roles at Greenwood Academies Trust included Education Director and Director of Secondary Improvement, following his time leading Fullhurst Community College.

At Oak, Campbell will oversee a program that also includes a fully renewed Reception curriculum alongside the organization’s work on curriculum resources, digital infrastructure and AI.