The head of Achieving for Children has announced he will retire later in the year.

Nick Whitfield CBE, is former director of children’s services for Richmond Council, and chief executive of the council-owned company Achieving for Children.

AfC is not-for-profit and jointly-owned by three councils (Richmond, Kingston and Windsor & Maidenhead) and delivers social and educational services for children across the boroughs.

Nick Whitfield, said: “Creating AfC has been the biggest professional privilege of my life. It was always my intention to step down this year, leaving the organisation in capable and experienced hands for the future.

“AfC was set up to be an innovative, ground breaking partnership, between three boroughs. A partnership with a dogged focus on providing excellent services for children and their families.

"We have won awards, improved attainment, helped shape national policy and promoted partnership working across the region.

“We have had tremendous success over the last few years and this has been down to the sheer ability, commitment and energy of staff managers, councillors and our partners. I am so proud of all that we have achieved together.”

Cllr Gareth Roberts, the leader designate at Richmond Council, said: “I want to start by thanking Nick for all his hard work since the launch of AfC and previously as Richmond’s Director of Children’s Services.

“I wish him all the very best in the future as we seek to pass the baton to the next person, to lead AfC with the same energy and enthusiasm.”