Executive headteachers (EHTs) are becoming increasingly prevalent as the self-improving school system matures; there are over 620 EHTs in the school workforce today; and the number recorded in the School Workforce Census (SWC) has increased by 240 per cent between 2010 and 2014. The role is still evolving locally and nationally and, as EHTs take responsibility for ever more schools in England, their role will be crucial to the effectiveness of multi-school groupings in the self-improving school system. This study adds clarity to the evidence on the role and responsibilities of EHTs, the structural arrangements in which they work, and the skills and experience they need. It is based on a review of 15 HT and 15 EHT application packs, secondary analysis of the SWC, and 12 in-depth case studies with EHTs and their colleagues. It is a collaboration between the National Foundation for Educational Research (NFER), the National Governors' Association (NGA) and The Future Leaders Trust (TFLT). This executive summary highlights the key messages and recommendations from the study. [This report was co-published by The Future Leaders Trust. For the full report, see ED574411. For the Technical Appendix, see ED574412. For the Review of Literature, see ED574415. For the Case Study Compendium, see ED574414.]