Marius Frank, CEO of curriculum development organisation ASDAN, has only been in the role since September 2010, but has been with the internationally recognised awarding body for five years as a trustee.

He has long been an ambassador of ASDAN, which offers programmes and qualifications that grow skills for learning and employment. He brings with him the highest principles and beliefs in the organisation's charitable objectives. He is particularly strong in the area of IT, understanding its critical role in providing operational efficiency and online solutions.

ASDAN grew out of research work at the University of the West of England in the 1980s and was formally established as an educational charity in 1991.

The stated purpose of the charity is: 'The advancement of education, by providing opportunities for all learners to develop their personal and social attributes and levels of achievement through ASDAN awards and resources, and the relief of poverty, where poverty inhibits such opportunities for learners.'

Today, ASDAN provides support to more than 6,000 registered centres (mostly schools and colleges) throughout the UK and abroad. It publishes more than 100 publications, supervises the moderation and verification procedures for all its programmes and develops new awards, curriculum resources and qualifications in response to the needs of the profession.

Frank and his senior managers provide regional meetings and seminars for staff across the country, including SWOT exercises for business planning, consultation on a range of subjects and quality assurance training. There are regular Q&A sessions and managers work in open plan offices alongside their teams.

Anyone of the staff can see Frank or a member of the senior leadership team about any matter. He also provides monthly updates to staff via email and a staff newsletter and regularly walks the building, encouraging a sense of fun as well as hard work.

Speaking after one meeting, a staff member said of Frank: "I found the enthusiasm catching. I like his sincerity in valuing the opinion of staff and it is good to hear the honesty about where ASDAN is going. It was both inspiring and comforting to know he has such clarity regarding our direction. The activities are really productive."

Frank joined ASDAN from the role of head teacher at Bedminster Down School in Bristol. In an interview with HR magazine's sister title, education weekly SecEd, last year, Frank said: "My challenge as chief executive of ASDAN will be to get across the message that skills need to be part of what a good education should be. [Education secretary Michael] Gove needs to think carefully about constricting schools to narrow performance measures. There is more to education than that. "Not everyone can end up at Oxbridge, but GB Plc will not get out of the mire unless young people understand that they have a place in our society and know they are both able and expected to contribute to it."

FINALISTS

• Jayne Clarke, principal, Oldham Sixth Form College

• Martin Edwards, CEO, Julia's House Dorset Children's Hospice

• Anne Hinchey, CEO, Wales and West Housing Association

• Steve Jennings, CEO, Weaver Vale Housing Trust

• Gary Linton, Head, ACPO Criminal Records Office

• Rob Owen, CEO, St Giles Trust

• Andrew Purvis, ex chief executive, Fairbridge

• Emma Saysell, CEO/director of nursing, St David's Foundation Hospice Care

• Geoffrey Walker, CEO Sandwell Community Caring Trust

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