THE principal of King Edward VII and Queen Mary School, Lytham, has been appointed to the executive committee of the North West Division of the Headmasters' and Headmistresses' Conference.

Julian Wilde, pictured, was chosen by his fellow heads to take up the role of secretary for the organisation, which will see him deal with 28 independent schools in Lancashire, Cheshire and Cumbria which make up the North West division.

Mr Wilde, an Oxford graduate, was head of King Edward VII School from 1993 until 1999 when the school merged with Queen Mary School and he became principal.

Mr Wilde said: "This is an honour and I am looking forward to working closely with all my colleagues in the North West.

"I hope my close contact with the educational issues of the moment will be of benefit to my staff and students in Lytham."