Group Chief Executive to leave in March

03 July 2017

Group Chief Executive Simon Lebus is to leave Cambridge Assessment in March 2018, after 15 years at the helm.

During his time in charge, Simon has overseen the transformation of the Group from a mainly domestic exam board to a large and successful international organisation operating in over 170 countries, with a turnover of more than £400 million and over 2,500 staff. He has been responsible for a more than trebling in size of the Group, which is a not-for-profit department of the University of Cambridge and consists of English language exam board Cambridge English Language Assessment, international exam board Cambridge International Examinations, and UK exam board OCR.

This has coincided with a period of major organisational and industry change, and Simon has been closely involved with a variety of modernisation and technology initiatives such as the introduction of on-screen marking and computer-based testing and the development of various different digital services. He has also supported a major expansion of Cambridge Assessment’s international network, with offices now operating in 40 different international locations. In addition, the Group has significantly boosted its research operation, an important platform for the development of its education and curriculum reform practice and the introduction of innovative new qualifications such as the Cambridge Pre-U.

Most recently Simon has been responsible for the construction of Cambridge Assessment’s new 350,000 square foot purpose-built Cambridge headquarter office, the Triangle, completion of which is scheduled for spring 2018.

“July marks the 15th anniversary of my start date at Cambridge Assessment, and by the time of my planned departure in March, I will have served under four Vice-Chancellors,” said Simon. “That seems like a good time for me to start thinking about the next phase of my career and it also coincides with the move to Triangle, which I believe represents a key point in the organisation’s development.

“It has been a great privilege to work at Cambridge Assessment. I have hugely enjoyed my time here – the work itself has been fascinating and it has been rewarding to be part of an endeavour that has been able positively to impact the education of the many millions of people who take our exams each year. I have also been lucky enough over the years to have been supported in my job by an outstanding group of colleagues, without whose efforts these achievements would have been impossible, and whose wisdom and camaraderie I shall miss.”

Cambridge University’s Vice-Chancellor Professor Sir Leszek Borysiewicz paid tribute to Simon, saying:

“Under Simon’s leadership, Cambridge Assessment has expanded into the globally successful organisation we know today. I am grateful to him for the extraordinary work he has done at the helm of Cambridge Assessment, and wish him the very best in all his future endeavours.”

Simon’s expected final day will be 2 March 2018, shortly after the planned move to the Triangle, following which he plans to develop a portfolio of non-executive interests.

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