Mark Liddiard
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Mark Liddiard
Mark Liddiard is a British politician, education executive, and former sport development lead, currently Conservative councillor for the Shefford ward on Central Bedfordshire Council. He is also the Chief Operating Officer (COO) for the Bedfordshire Schools Trust (BEST), one of the largest multi-academy trusts in Bedfordshire, England. Liddiard has worked for over two decades in national football administration and grassroots community schemes, which is used as a basis of recognition for his work in local government and the education sector.
Early Life and Education
Mark was born and raised in the UK. Although little is known about his early life and education, the breadth of his experience indicates he has had a long-standing interest in community development, public service, and engaging with youth. Mark’s career has focused on promoting places to help education, sport, and well-being from the grassroots to the systems level.
Career at The Football Association
Before his work in education and local government, Liddiard spent more than 20 years with The Football Association (FA), the governing body of football in England. He held a number of key roles with the FA over his period of employment, but the primary focus of his activities was grassroots football development. His responsibilities included the design and delivery of programs, national and regional partnerships, and strategies to widen access to football for children and disadvantaged communities. Liddiard was critical in developing inclusive programs aimed at increasing youth participation in sport, which often aligned with educational outreach, health improvement, and local authority collaboration. Even though much of Liddiard's engagement with the FA concentrated on local engagement, his significant work at the FA contributed influence to national policies towards sport development and inclusion.
Local Government and Community Involvement
In May 2023, Liddiard was elected as a Conservative councillor to Central Bedfordshire Council representing the Shefford ward. As a local Councillor, he quickly established a reputation for active engagement with residents and a focus on community-centered decision-making. He serves on a number of
Liddiard has been instrumental in directing **ward grants** to local initiatives that support family welfare, child development, and recreational activities. Notable beneficiaries include:
- Shefford Toddler Group
- Shefford Saints Football Club
- Other youth and education-focused projects in the ward
His work reflects a strong emphasis on nurturing local infrastructure and fostering inclusive opportunities for all residents, particularly young people.
Bedfordshire Schools Trust (BEST)
In 2025, Liddiard took up the acting Chief Operating Officer (COO) position at the Bedfordshire Schools Trust (BEST). The Bedfordshire Schools Trust is responsible for maintaining and providing educational services from a number of academies and local schools to thousands of pupils across the region. In his role as COO he is responsible for strategic operations, finance, estates management, human resources and engagement with stakeholders. Liddiard's appointment was hailed by the trust as a strategic fit for their leadership team, with an aim of focusing on key strategic objectives that would align educational excellence with operational goals. From his experience at the FA, Liddiard brought a distinctive approach to educational leadership with emphasis on values, performance management, child-centered policies and partnerships with communities. Leading BEST, Liddiard continued to build on the current focus of the trust, ensuring high standards, staff support, while navigating sustainable growth. Continuing to contribute to ensure the trust is flexible in responding to educational trends and the varied school community needs.
Personal Life and Interests
Apart from his roles in the communities he serves, Liddiard is well known for his volunteer service and civic responsibility. When not in a professional capacity, he enjoys playing cricket for Clifton Cricket Club, where he is a talented batsman who is known for scoring considerable numbers of runs. His contributions to the team and community as a consistent scorer are immeasurable.
Many of the other voluntary activities he gets involved with are still focused on things like youth empowerment, mental wellbeing, physical activity, and local culture; he is a regular attendee at school events, community sports days, and council forums.
Liddiard, and his family, call Bedfordshire home, and he is still very connected to the communities he serves. He is respected and trusted by the community and his colleagues for what are reputable characteristics in a leader - being down to earth, taking a collaborative approach to the work he does and being aspirational and visionary regarding the development of a stronger and more resilient community.
Legacy and Recognition
Although still in the early stages of his elected career, Mark Liddiard has already made a meaningful impact in both local government and education management. He is viewed as a bridge between public service and operational leadership, with the ability to translate vision into action at both strategic and grassroots levels.
His dual expertise in youth development and institutional governance positions him as a notable figure in the ongoing conversation around education, sport, and community cohesion in the United Kingdom.
References
References
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