It is with great sadness that Ormiston Academies Trust announces the death of its Chair of Trustees, Julius Weinberg, who passed away unexpectedly on Wednesday.
Julius served as Chair of Ormiston Academies Trust since 2022 and made an enormous contribution to the Trust, its 45 schools, 5,000 staff and over 30,000 pupils.
He brought to Ormiston a lifetime of public service and a deep commitment to education and young people. Before joining Ormiston, Julius served for three years as Chair of Ofsted and as a Board member of Ofqual, and was previously Vice-Chancellor of Kingston University. A physician by training, specialising in public health and infectious diseases, he had a distinguished career spanning medicine, higher education and public service.
Tom Rees, Chief Executive of Ormiston Academies Trust, said:
“Julius was an extraordinary man. He had boundless energy, curiosity and capacity for debate and discussion.
“We will miss him; his kindness and humour; his calm wisdom and leadership, even at the hardest moments; and his support and care. He was a wonderful mentor, teacher and friend to so many of us.
“Julius cared deeply about Ormiston, our schools and the young people we serve. We will miss him dearly, and all our thoughts are with his family and friends at this most difficult time.”
Peter Murray, founder of Ormiston Academies Trust, said:
“Julius will be deeply missed by all of us at Ormiston, and I am enormously grateful for his service and the contribution he made to our trust.
“Julius was immensely proud of Ormiston. He believed deeply in our values, and his conviction that every young person has the potential to achieve extraordinary things was clear in everything he did.”