Neil Watts

Neil graduated from Magdalene College, Cambridge University with a degree in Economics and trained as a teacher at Leicester University. He taught in both the independent and state sectors, and spent 21 years as a Headteacher in large secondary schools, including 17 years as Headteacher of Northgate High School in Ipswich, during which time the school was awarded four consecutive outstanding Ofsted inspection outcomes.

Post headship Neil has worked both in education for Suffolk County Council and Alpha Plus, and in the field of regulation being a founder member of the Board of Ofqual. He has served on the Council of the Advertising Standards Authority, and the Complaints Committee of the Independent Press Standards Organisation. He sits on the Foundation Board of the University of Suffolk and was awarded an honorary doctorate in 2016.