Colin Diamond

Colin has worked in education leadership roles for over 40 years. He began teaching in London where he was also a youth worker. He has been privileged to be appointed to senior posts including secondary headship, local authority adviser for SEND, director of education and director of children's services (twice). He has worked for the Department for Education leading on quality assurance for the academies and free schools programmes. He was also an Ofsted inspector. He was Deputy Education Commissioner in Birmingham working directly to the Secretary of State for Education.

In 2018 he was invited to set up the Education Leadership Academy at the University of Birmingham. It is flourishing and has worked with both local leaders, in line with the university's civic mission to serve the community, and leaders from over 40 nations. He teaches in Birmingham and UoB Dubai.

He edited and curated The Birmingham Book: lessons in urban education leadership and policy from the Trojan Horse affair (Crownhouse 2023) His research focuses on urban education, intersectional issues and the role of inspections in the English education system. He writes op-ed pieces for Schools Week, TES and the Education Guardian.

Colin is a lifelong Liverpool FC supporter and gets to Anfield whenever he can.