Ko taku piki amokura nōku; ko tōu piki amokura nōu
My adornment belongs to me; your adornment belongs to you
Dale Bailey will step down as Tumu Whakarae | Chief Executive Officer at the end of August 2026, with Ellie Sutton, current Pou Whakahaere | General Manager of Te Uru Amokura | Springboard Trust, appointed in the role.
Ellie is deeply committed to Te Uru Amokura | Springboard Trust’s kaupapa and impact. Her appointment reflects the Board’s confidence in her leadership, her strong relationships across the organisation and with stakeholders, and her passion for supporting the growth and success of school leaders so tamariki mokopuna thrive.
Te Uru Amokura | Springboard Trust looks forward to continuing our important mahi and partnerships with the same dedication and clarity of purpose under Ellie’s leadership.
Dale has led Te Uru Amokura | Springboard Trust for six years, guiding the organisation through a period of significant challenge and change, including the disruption of Covid. Under his leadership, the organisation has continued to strengthen its impact working with school leaders and is well positioned for its next chapter as it approaches its 20th anniversary in 2027.
Board Chair Ian Narev said, “We will thank and acknowledge Dale appropriately in coming weeks. Thanks to his outstanding leadership over six years, we are well positioned for a leadership transition following his decision to retire. Ellie is known well to our team and our stakeholders. During eight years with us, she has demonstrated her passion for what we do, her values, her capability, and her growth potential. We are delighted she will become only the third Tumu Whakarae | Chief Executive Officer in Te Uru Amokura | Springboard Trust’s nearly two decades of service to school leaders.”
The Board and team wish to thank Dale for everything he has done for Te Uru Amokura | Springboard Trust, and congratulate Ellie as she leads our organisation forward in pursuit of our vision: Strong strategic school leaders | Thriving tamariki mokopuna.
Further details about the transition and opportunities to acknowledge Dale’s contribution will be shared in the coming weeks.