Who is Sir Mufti Hamid Patel? This comprehensive Sir Mufti Hamid Patel biography explores his inspiring journey, educational leadership, and impact.

Sir Hamid Patel, also known as Mufti Hamid Patel, has been appointed as the Interim Chair of the Ofsted Board (Office for Standards in Education) in the United Kingdom.

As a long-standing Ofsted Board member since 2019, Hamid Patel has played a key role in shaping educational oversight, curriculum development, and teaching practices across British schools.

The British education reformer of Indian origin assumes this position following the departure of Dame Christine Ryan. Mufti Hamid Patel will serve as Ofsted Chair until a permanent appointment is made, a process expected to conclude within five months.

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Sir Mufti Hamid Patel Biography

Hamid Patel was born and raised in Britain, with his parents originating from Bharuch, Gujarat. They migrated to the UK in the late 1970s, building a home for their family of five—three daughters and two sons.

Despite leaving school in Blackburn at 16 without excelling academically, Sir Mufti Hamid Patel pursued Islamic studies, becoming a qualified Mufti and Islamic scholar. While he once aspired to be a footballer, his passion ultimately led him to education, where he began his career as a teacher.

In 2010, he was appointed Chief Executive of Star Academies (formerly Tauheedul Education Trust), overseeing its transformation into one of the UK’s leading multi-academy trusts. Under Sir Hamid Patel’s leadership, Star Academies expanded to manage over 34 schools, primarily serving communities in areas of high social deprivation. Many of these schools have been rated ‘Outstanding’ by Ofsted and consistently rank among the top-performing schools in the UK.

Notable Achievements:

In 2024, three Star Academy schools ranked among the top 10 UK schools for Progress 8.
In 2023, five Star Academies schools were listed among the top 10 in England for GCSE performance.
Tauheedul Girls’ School in Blackburn was named State Faith Secondary School of the Year 2025 by The Sunday Times.
The Olive School in Bolton ranked sixth highest among primary schools in the North West, alongside The Olive Schools in Small Heath and Blackburn, and Eden Girls’ Leadership Academy in Birmingham as other standout institutions.

Early Life

Born in March 1979 in Darwen, Lancashire, Sir Mufti Hamid Patel was raised in a family that prioritized education and community service. His parents, originally from Bharuch, Gujarat, India, migrated to the UK in the 1970s. Growing up with three sisters and one brother, he developed a strong commitment to learning and leadership from an early age.

Education

At 16, Sir Mufti Hamid Patel left school to study Islamic sciences, later earning qualifications as a Mufti. To further his expertise in education, he pursued a master’s degree from the Open University, equipping himself with both traditional and modern educational knowledge.

Career

Since 2010, Sir Hamid Patel has led Star Academies, formerly Tauheedul Education Trust, transforming it into one of the UK’s top-performing school networks. Under his leadership, several institutions, including Olive School, Eden Girls’ Leadership Academy, and Highfield Leadership Academy, have received ‘Outstanding’ Ofsted ratings.

In 2024, three Star Academy schools ranked among the UK’s top 10 schools for Progress 8, reinforcing his impact on educational leadership.

Positions Held by Hamid Patel

Sir Hamid Patel CBE has held several influential positions in the UK’s education sector, playing a crucial role in shaping policies and driving excellence in schools.

Vice Chair of the National Institute of Teaching – Focused on raising educational standards, fostering innovation, and ensuring high-quality teaching practices.
Chair of the Education Honours Committee – Responsible for recognizing outstanding contributions to education in the UK.
Chair of the Confederation of School Trusts – Promoting collaboration and excellence across multi-academy trusts nationwide.
Honorary Professor of Education at Birmingham University – Bridging academic research with real-world applications in schools.

Recognition & Appointment as Ofsted Board Chair

His contributions to education earned him a CBE (Commander of the Order of the British Empire) in 2015, followed by a knighthood in the Queen’s Birthday Honours in 2021.

His recent appointment as Interim Chair of Ofsted Board has been widely praised, though it has sparked backlash from right-wing critics.

“We’re very lucky to have Sir Hamid on our board – and we’re grateful he’s stepping into this role. He runs some of the best schools in the country, is a brilliant system leader, and a very good man,” said Rory Gribbell, Director of Strategy and Engagement at Ofsted.

Personal Life & Legacy

Despite his demanding career, Sir Hamid Patel remains deeply involved in Islamic schools, community development, and British values statement advocacy. He has also contributed to publications like Starlight Magazine and participated in discussions on BBC Radio.

With his educational leadership spanning over a decade, Sir Mufti Hamid Patel continues to shape the UK’s school system, ensuring excellence in academies across West Midlands, West Yorkshire, Greater Manchester, and beyond.

Achievements & Recognition

Sir Mufti Hamid Patel has received numerous accolades for his contributions to education:

Awarded Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) in 2015.
Knighted in 2021 for his outstanding service to education.
Serves as Chair of the Confederation of School Trusts, shaping national education policies.

Recent News & Developments

In 2025, Sir Mufti Hamid Patel was appointed Interim Chair of Ofsted, reinforcing his influence in shaping UK education policies. His ongoing efforts continue to impact national educational standards.

Conclusion on Sir Mufti Hamid Patel Biography

Sir Mufti Hamid Patel CBE is a British education leader of Indian-Gujarati descent, widely recognized for his contributions to the UK’s school system. Born and raised in Britain, his parents migrated from Bharuch, Gujarat, in the late 1970s. Despite leaving school at 16, he pursued Islamic studies and became a qualified Mufti and Islamic scholar before transitioning into education.

In 2010, he became the Chief Executive of Star Academies (formerly Tauheedul Education Trust), expanding it into a leading multi-academy trust overseeing 34+ schools. Many of these institutions serve socially deprived communities and consistently rank among the UK’s top-performing schools, with several rated ‘Outstanding’ by Ofsted.

Beyond his role at Star Academies, he has held key positions, including Vice Chair of the National Institute of Teaching, Chair of the Education Honours Committee, and Honorary Professor of Education at Birmingham University. His contributions to education earned him a CBE in 2015 and a knighthood in 2021.

In 2024, Sir Hamid Patel was appointed Interim Chair of Ofsted Board, the UK’s education watchdog, a move that has been praised for his expertise but met with resistance from right-wing commentators.

Profile Summary

Attribute	Details
Full Name	Sir Mufti Hamid Patel
Birthdate	March 1979
Birthplace	Darwen, Lancashire, UK
Education	Islamic Studies, Master’s in Education (Open University)
Career	CEO of Star Academies, Interim Chair of Ofsted
Key Achievements	CBE (2015), Knighthood (2021)
Recent Developments	Appointed Interim Chair of Ofsted (2025)