CEO gender pay gap halves after closing three years in a row

A recent study has shown that the gap in gender pay for academy trust CEOs has significantly decreased for the third consecutive year.

According to a report from the Confederation of School Trusts (CST), chief executives are earning just under £150,000, with the highest earners found among the leading multi-academy trusts (MATs).

The analysis, which surveyed 126 academy chains, revealed that the CEO salaries have increased by 4%, surpassing the raises granted to senior staff.

This follows an annual pay investigation by Schools Week, which found that the wage discrepancy between academy leaders and their second-in-command rose by as much as £65,000. This investigation considered 1,800 trusts, marking it as the largest analysis to date.

Leora Cruddas, chief executive of CST, stated, “The evidence shows that trusts and their boards are taking their responsibilities seriously.”

Increases for CEOs outpace those of other leaders

CST’s findings indicate that the “median basic salary for CEOs has grown by 4%” to £149,790. Cruddas commented this was “consistent” with pay increases for most teaching staff.

However, she noted that their salaries remain “below the maximum of the statutory pay range for maintained school leadership, which caps at £153,490” in central London.

This is “despite the greater responsibilities that often accompany the [chief executive] position compared to a headteacher’s role.”

On average, senior staff in trusts received raises of 3.4%.

The median salary for CEOs in the smallest trusts—those managing up to five schools—is £137,352, while those at the largest MATs earn £173,532.

The report also highlighted that female chief executives earn an average of £5,087 less than their male counterparts, a reduction from last year’s £8,634 gap. This decline has occurred each year since 2023, bringing the discrepancy to 3.4%.

As expected, CEOs based in London receive the highest salaries, averaging £164,851. This figure is “14.9% greater than the median earnings for the rest of the UK.”

In comparison, similar roles in the private sector command around £376,000, while CEOs in other public sectors and charities earn an average of £161,865 and £147,621, respectively.