This week, students and staff across WeST are celebrating after former CEO Rob Haring was awarded an OBE in His Majesty The King’s Birthday Honours List 2026 for his services to education.

In receiving this award, Rob was recognised for his exceptional contribution to education over several decades, most notably in the South West. Rob was Principal at Ivybridge Community College before founding the Trust in 2011 and, in the years that followed, successfully grew it into a group of 31 schools. He took up a very well-deserved retirement at the end of 2025.  

Speaking of his award, Rob Haring said:

"I feel deeply privileged to have been awarded an OBE in the 2026 King's Birthday Honours. I have been fortunate to work with so many talented and dedicated colleagues who have brought their collective expertise to the benefit of the children we serve. As such, whilst I am thrilled to receive such prestigious recognition, I do so on the shoulders of those with whom I have worked and that this recognition is, in many ways, that of the teams at Westcountry Schools Trust that have tirelessly provided the high-quality blend of education in which we believe." 

Carl Atkinson, Chair of Trustees at WeST, said:

“On behalf of everyone at WeST, I’d like to send very many congratulations to Rob on this exceptional and well-deserved honour. Rob’s leadership has had a profound and lasting impact on the lives of young people, families and staff across the South West. Having founded and grown WeST into a family of 31 schools, his vision has always been clear – to ensure that every child attends a great school. His determination to improve outcomes, develop excellent staff and create a culture where children and young people can thrive has had a hugely beneficial impact on education across our region. Rob leaves an enduring legacy not only in the strength of the Trust today, but in the many students, teachers and leaders he has inspired over the course of his career.”