Teach First has appointed the chief executive of the youth charity Bite Back as its next leader.

James Toop will join the education charity in the summer, succeeding Russell Hobby, who announced in October that he would leave the charity after seven years in post.

Hobby will work with Toop in the coming months to ensure a seamless transition, the charity said, after which he will explore future opportunities.

Toop has been the chief executive of Bite Back, a youth activist charity that aims to halve childhood obesity by 2030, since he launched it in 2019.

Before this, Toop was the chief executive of the Ambition Institute, which designs and delivers professional development for educators, for seven and a half years.

Teach First trains teachers and supports school leaders in some of the poorest areas of the UK. 

Toop originally trained as a teacher in the charity’s inaugural 2003 programme and currently serves as the chair of the multi-academy trust Orion Education.

Toop said: “My experience as a teacher in the inaugural 2003 cohort deeply shaped my values, leadership and commitment to tackling educational inequality.

“No child’s potential should be limited by their background and Teach First has built a powerful movement of teachers and leaders driving this mission forward. Together we have an amazing opportunity to harness that collective leadership as we shape the charity’s next chapter.”

Hobby said: “I am delighted that an ambassador takes the helm at Teach First, and particularly one with such deep expertise in teaching, leadership and charity operations. James is an outstanding choice to take Teach First forward on the next phase of its journey.”

Dame Vivian Hunt, chair of Teach First, added: “James started his career in the classroom as a Teach First trainee and brings a deep commitment to our mission, values and charity.

“His journey is a powerful testament to the exceptional leaders that Teach First has nurtured over the past two decades and we’re excited to work with him in furthering our impact. 

“The entire Teach First community also extends its heartfelt thanks to Russell for his tireless service, as he steps down this summer after more than seven years of leadership.”