We are delighted to announced the appointment of Clive Lawrence OBE as the new Chief Executive Officer of NASS.
Clive will take up the role in November, working alongside current Chief Executive Claire Dorer OBE during a transition period before she steps down at the end of 2026 after 21 years leading the organisation.
Clive brings more than two decades of experience leading improvement across specialist education, SEND and inclusion at local, regional and national levels. He has held senior executive roles including Executive Headteacher, leading a special school to Ofsted Outstanding; Strategic Director of Academies (SEND) across 37 special and mainstream schools; Chief Education Officer across 14 special schools and alternative provisions; and, most recently, Chief Operating Officer, leading commercial operations, organisational growth and innovation within an educational business.
A former Department for Education National Leader of Education, Clive continues to contribute through national governance and public appointments. In 2022, he was awarded an OBE for services to education, recognising his work to improve outcomes for disadvantaged and care-experienced children and young people with SEND.
Commenting on the appointment, Elizabeth Farnden, Chair of Trustees at NASS, said:
"We are delighted to appoint Clive as the next Chief Executive of NASS. His extensive experience across special schools, alternative provision, SEND and inclusion, combined with his strong record of leadership and improvement, makes him exceptionally well placed to lead the organisation into its next chapter.
Claire leaves NASS in a strong position after more than two decades of outstanding leadership and growth. Clive has the experience, values and ambition to build on her remarkable legacy, and as Trustees we are confident he will provide the leadership NASS needs as we continue to support our members and champion high-quality specialist education during a period of significant policy change.”
Claire Dorer OBE, current Chief Executive of NASS, welcome the news of Clive's appointment:
"It has been an enormous privilege to lead NASS over the past 21 years. The passion and commitment across our schools to improve outcomes for children and young people with SEND has been a constant source of inspiration.
Clive is a great person to be passing leadership of NASS to. His knowledge and experience of special schools will ensure that NASS continues to be a force for good for the sector as we enter this period of policy change”
Commenting on his appointment, Clive Lawrence OBE said:
"I am honoured to have been appointed Chief Executive of NASS. Having spent much of my career in and alongside special schools and alternative provision, I understand the opportunities and challenges facing the sector.
"I look forward to building on NASS's strong foundations, working with members and partners to champion special schools and improve outcomes for children and young people with SEND. As both an education leader and a kinship carer to my niece with additional needs, I am committed to ensuring that the voices and experiences of professionals, children and families remain at the heart of everything we do."
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NASS is the membership association for special schools in England and Wales. We provide support, advice, information, events, training and a strong national voice.
We’re a growing community of over 500 schools and organisations, and welcome every type of special school – independent, special academies, multi-academy trusts with special schools, non-maintained, and maintained special schools.
We work in close partnership with our members, other SEND organisations, and with central and local government, providing insight, information and influence to help shape the future of special education. NASS champions high-quality, specialist provision within a modern, inclusive education system that respects the choices of children, young people and their families.