Ashfaq was previously Vice CEO of the Nova Education Trust with particular responsibility for Toot Hill School, Newark Academy, The Suthers School, The Garibaldi School, Meden School and Melton Vale Sixth Form College.

Prior to this, as Deputy Head Teacher (and later Head Teacher) at Toot Hill School, Ash led an achievement agenda that saw the school ranked in the top 2% of schools nationally. Ash was also a key player in securing the Outstanding judgement for the school. He became the Head at Toot Hill School in 2012 and under his leadership the school consistently secured excellent examination results that have placed it amongst the highest performing secondary schools in the East Midlands. Toot Hill has consistently secured EM 84+% 4+ and nearly two thirds of the pupils in the school secure EM5+. Under his executive leadership, Newark Academy was also transformed from Special Measures to Good in less than three years. It is now one of the most over-subscribed schools in the area. Ash has excellent knowledge of Free Schools and has been strategically involved in supporting all three in Nova Education Trust.

Ash has a strong expertise in curriculum and has strategically led the trust-wide approach to securing high achievement at Key Stage 4 and 5. In 2019, NET was judged the 7th highest performing trust in the country for progress at Key Stage 4. He also leads on quality assurance across the trust.

Ash was a lead Ofsted Inspector before becoming the CEO, is a National Leader of Education and worked closely with DfE officials in implementing the national strategy around teacher recruitment and retention. He has vast experience in governance and working collaboratively with other local schools and trusts. He has developed strong local and international partnerships, including with the KIPP schools in America and has led a number of international research visits.

Ash is currently vice chair of The Priestley Academy Trust(a primary MAT) and the chair of the school improvement committee. He is a National Pupil Premium Reviewer. He has recently become a Director of the National Teaching Association. Ash specialises in leadership, curriculum, personalised learning, staff development, tracking and the use of data, raising achievement, school improvement and school standards. He has a strong understanding of governance, school- and trust-level finances and knows how to maximise resources to get the greatest benefit for all learners.