Tom McCook

What is your role on the governing body?
I was appointed Chair of the governing body of North Birmingham Academy (NBA) in January 2011 and I am also an E-ACT community governor. I attend three sub committees and want to ensure that governors work as an effective team and make a meaningful contribution towards the strategic leadership of the Academy.

Tell us a bit about your background
I have spent 35 years in executive and managerial roles in various departments in the Post Office. I have considerable media experience and an extensive range of contacts having been employed as a freelance athletics journalist for the last two decades as well as working in both radio and television. I have also been heavily involved in Birchfield Harriers, the UK’s premier athletics club since 1967.

Why is being on the governing body important to you?
The future prosperity and well being of both our community and our nation will be heavily dependent on our young people. Their level of skills and academic qualifications will be become even more crucially important in determining how far they progress in life and contribute towards our society.
I firmly believe that we should continue to do all that we can to produce educated, well rounded individuals with drive and ambition, who are well equipped to survive and progress in adult life and I believe passionately that every child matters irrespective of their background.
 I am proud of what has been collectively achieved so far in recent years at NBA and it is essential we continue to raise our standards.

What do you believe to be the key to success?
Education attainment is a very important component in determining a choice of career but good inter personal skills, determination, enthusiasm, resilience are also crucially important.