Independent Schools Victoria appoints Rachel Holthouse new CEO

An experienced education leader has been appointed to the top job at Independent Schools Victoria seven months after the sudden departure of her predecessor.

Independent Schools Victoria has appointed Rachel Holthouse as its new chief executive, seven months after the sudden departure of her predecessor Michelle Green.

ISV Board chair Marianne Stillwell made the announcement on Friday afternoon, sharing Ms Holthouse was coming to the role with a strong commitment to education.

“Ms Holthouse has a depth of experience in education leadership, strategy and advocacy – skills that are essential for ISV, a member services organisation supporting an extraordinarily diverse range of schools,” Ms Stillwell said.

“She has a demonstrated ability to work with governments, represent members, and lead a team that’s focused on supporting students and their families.”

Independent Schools Victoria has appointed Rachel Holthouse as its new chief executive.

Ms Holthouse has over 20 years’ experience in education and has previously worked in leadership roles at RMIT as the deputy vice-chancellor of global development and the University of Melbourne.

More recently, she has worked at SEEK as the executive director of pathways according to her LinkedIn profile.

Her academic qualifications include a Bachelor of Arts, a Diploma of Education and a Master of Applied Linguistics.

Ms Holthouse said it was a privilege to be given a chance to support Victoria’s independent schools.

“I’m looking forward to working with our Member Schools and the ISV team, to ensure families have choices when enrolling their children in a school that matches their needs,” she said.

Ms Holthouse will commence her role on July 29, relieving Meg Hansen who has been acting chief executive of ISV since Michelle Green stepped down in December last year following more than 20 years in the role.

The new chief executive appointment comes after some of Victoria’s largest and most powerful private schools recently quit the lobby group.

Haileybury, Caulfield Grammar, Ivanhoe Grammar and Brighton Grammar are among the schools that left ISV in the last year.

Concerns about the group’s management style and failure to stop the payroll tax were among the reasons which drove their departure.

ISV represents more than 230 schools that educate more than 165,000 students across Victoria.

Originally published as Independent Schools Victoria appoints Rachel Holthouse new CEO