Physics Partners is pleased to announce the appointment of Bryan Berry as the charity’s first Chief Executive. Bryan brings his wide experience in STEM education to Physics Partners, to build on the recent success of the charity.
Following 13 years’ service in the Royal Air Force as an aircraft engineering technician, Bryan trained as a physics teacher taking up his first teaching post at John Cabot City Technology College in Bristol. During his 10 years at the College, Bryan held several positions of responsibility including Head of Science and Assistant Principal for curriculum and assessment.
In 2005, Bryan was appointed as the Director of the Science Learning Centre South West based in At-Bristol, a leading Science and Discovery Centre. The Science Learning Centre South West was part of the national network of Science Learning Centres, offering a programme of innovative and engaging continuing professional development for science teachers and technicians.
From 2013, as Principal for the new Heathrow Aviation Engineering University Technical College, Bryan led the setup of this 14-19 College in collaboration with its engineering sponsors, Brunel University, British Airways, Virgin Atlantic and the Royal Air Force. In September 2014 the UTC opened its doors to its first cohort of 120 students.
More recently, Bryan was employed by EngineeringUK as Tomorrow’s Engineers Programme Director helping young people from all backgrounds to understand the variety, excitement and opportunity presented by a career in engineering.
Commenting on the appointment, Physics Partners Chairman Tommy Cookson said, “Physics Partners is delighted to welcome Bryan Berry as its CEO. His varied background in engineering, physics education and science administration, added to the posts of responsibility he has held and the innovative organisations he has led, makes him an excellent choice to carry Physics Partners to a new level. As the Charity looks to expand the number of schools it supports and the ways it supports them, Bryan will bring all the experience necessary to help it realise its ambitions.
Bryan commented, “The recruitment and retention of physics teachers is a significant challenge for schools and Physics Partners is making a real difference in addressing this issue. I am delighted to be joining the organisation at an exciting time in its development. I am very much looking forward to working with colleagues to build on its successes to date.”
