Following a 20-year career leading FMCG organisations, Tony retrained as a teacher in 2010 and quickly progressed into school leadership through the Future Leaders programme, working first in Tottenham and then in Dagenham. He became Headteacher of Barking Abbey School in 2020 and, in 2023, extended his leadership to include Eastbrook School.

At Barking Abbey, Tony has led transformational improvement. The school pioneered a leadership role dedicated to raising aspiration and now retains all of its most able students. In 2024, under his leadership, Barking Abbey was judged Outstanding in all areas by Ofsted. The sixth form continued this trajectory in 2025, achieving exceptional outcomes – 33% A*/A and 66% A*/B—having previously been the lowest-performing sixth form in East London in 2019.

Tony’s leadership is rooted in three core beliefs: the power of people to drive meaningful change, the importance of inclusive communities, and the transformative impact of aspiration on young people’s lives. A founding member of the LBBD Race and Social Justice movement, he has championed pupil voice, ensured schools reflect the communities they serve, and actively mentored leaders from under-represented backgrounds.

As a Headteacher Representative for BDSIP, Tony continues to ensure that the organisation’s work is firmly aligned with the needs and ambitions of local schools, helping to shape a system where every child and young person can thrive.