Craig Hillier

Craig Hillier entered the education sector in 2009, bringing with him a wealth of experience from a successful career in business. Prior to his transition, Craig spent eight years as a project manager, where he led complex, cross-functional initiatives across a range of industries. His background in strategic planning, operational delivery, and stakeholder engagement provided a strong foundation for his work in education, where he has consistently applied these skills to drive meaningful change.

Since joining the sector, Craig has held a variety of senior leadership roles, each with a clear focus on school improvement, curriculum development, and raising standards. He has worked across the Acorn secondary schools delivering high-quality teaching and learning, strengthening leadership capacity, and embedding inclusive practices. Craig is particularly adept at using data-driven approaches to inform decision-making and ensure accountability, while fostering a culture of collaboration and continuous improvement.

Craig is deeply committed to the belief that every child deserves access to an excellent education, regardless of background or circumstance. His work is driven by a passion for equity, excellence, and opportunity, and he is relentless in his pursuit of ensuring that all pupils achieve their full potential.

Based in Bristol, Craig lives with his wife and three children. Outside of his professional responsibilities, he enjoys spending time with his family and is an avid sports enthusiast. His passion for Physical Education extends into his advocacy for extracurricular and enrichment activities, which he sees as vital to the holistic development of young people. Craig champions the importance of a broad and balanced curriculum, where academic rigour is complemented by opportunities for creativity, physical activity, and personal growth.