James Murray is Chief Executive of Ormiston Trust. James brings broad experience from the public, private and voluntary sectors, built at KPMG consulting, Barclaycard and Hanson Charitable Consulting. He joined the Ormiston Trust in 2013 and has served as CEO for the last 10 years, leading both its strategic direction and day-to-day organisational development. His responsibilities include oversight of strategy, operations, governance, partnerships, risk and grant-making, as well as the Trust’s wider role across Ormiston-founded organisations and sponsored academy trusts.

James’s leadership is grounded in Ormiston Trust’s vision of a world where every young person and their family have opportunities to thrive, and in a mission focused especially on supporting those facing adversity. Alongside trustees and staff, he has helped shape a strategy that is focused on funding and innovating to help young people and families: supporting their growth through stronger life skills, confidence and aspiration; strengthening connections through belonging, relationships and community; and fostering citizenship and greater agency. He has a passion and belief in the power of enrichment and agency in young lives.

Alongside this, James plays an important role in Ormiston’s network support and sponsorship work. He leads high-level oversight across three multi-academy trusts, reaching more than 40,000 young people across 55 academies in communities across England. He works closely with trustees, senior leaders and partners to ensure that Ormiston’s organisations are well governed, financially resilient and aligned around a shared sense of purpose and collective impact.