After three successful years as Chairman of The Prince of Wales’s Teaching Institute (PTI), Richard Wilson will step down from his role with effect from 1 July 2009.

He will be succeeded by Harvey McGrath, the current Chairman of Prudential plc and Chair of the London Development Agency.

The PTI has grown in strength since Lord Wilson was appointed as inaugural Chairman of the Institute three years ago. In 2006, the PTI ran just one Summer School which helped 80 teachers. Today, the PTI’s activities include not just the Summer Schools but also a membership scheme - the Schools Programme; one-day professional development courses, seminars for headteachers to identify good practice in schools, and a website with high-quality resources for members.

The number of subjects the charity now works with has also increased. Before the establishment of The Prince’s Teaching Institute, The Prince of Wales’s Education Summer Schools concentrated on English and History. Science was added to the curriculum in 2007, Geography in 2008 and Mathematics will be piloted this year. The Prince’s Teaching Institute now reaches over 650 teachers every year.

‘It has been an honour to bring the PTI to life and see it implement HRH The Prince of Wales’s vision to help improve children’s education in state schools,’ Lord Wilson said. ‘The PTI was set up to encourage and inspire teachers and to promote in the next generation a love of knowledge. I am proud to have played my part in this and to see the impact of the PTI on teachers and schools across the country under its two outstanding directors, Bernice McCabe and Chris Pope. I am delighted to have such an excellent successor in Harvey McGrath.’

Lord Wilson’s career has spanned over 43 years. He has held a number of senior positions within the civil service including Permanent Secretary of the Department of the Environment (1992); Permanent Under Secretary of the Home Office (1994); and Secretary of the Cabinet and Head of the Home Civil Service (1998). He is currently Master of Emmanuel College, Cambridge.

Bernice McCabe, co-director of the PTI said, ‘We could not have had a better Chairman than Richard Wilson to see The Prince of Wales’s Education Summer Schools develop into the fully-fledged organisation that is The Prince’s Teaching Institute. As a regular speaker at our Summer Schools, Lord Wilson will remain part of the family, and we look forward to working more closely with Harvey McGrath.’

Chris Pope, co-director of the PTI said, ‘Working with Lord Wilson has been a privilege, and we are all sad to see him go. He leaves an organisation in robust health and with an excellent partnership with the University of Cambridge. However, we could not be more fortunate than to have Harvey McGrath become the next Chairman, bringing with him his passion for our work and wealth of expertise.’

A trustee of the PTI since May 2008, Harvey McGrath is a highly experienced chairman. He is currently Chairman of Prudential plc and of the London Development Agency. Previously, he was Chief Executive and then Chairman of Man Group plc; Chairman of London First, the capital’s influential business campaign group; and Chairman of the East London Business Alliance, a partnership of substantial businesses engaged in the social and economic regeneration of East London. He is also a highly respected philanthropist, his philanthropic activities including being a founding donor and trustee of New Philanthropy Capital, a research-based charity which gives advice and guidance to donors, and a trustee of the Royal Anniversary Trust which operates the Queen’s Anniversary Prizes for Higher and Further Education.

Harvey McGrath, who will become Chairman at the beginning of July said, ‘I am honoured to take over from Lord Wilson as Chairman of The Prince of Wales’s Teaching Institute. I look forward to working with the PTI as it moves into an exciting new phase of development, starting with the introduction of Mathematics at this year’s education Summer School. The PTI is an important charity, dedicated to bringing inspiring and challenging teaching to children of all backgrounds and abilities. I am proud to Chair such a prestigious organisation committed to improving state school education.’

Media enquiries to Sheila Thompson or Rachel Spedding at Brown Lloyd James on 020 7591 9610 (sheilat@blj.co.uk or rachels@blj.co.uk)