Philip Bujak

In 2019, Philip Bujak won the best newcomer prize in the journalistic section of the Koestler Awards 2019.

Prior to 2018, Bujak wrote, and contributed to, several articles published in The Daily Telegraph, The Independent, The Guardian, Evening Standard, and other publications. He is also a commentator on Anglo-Polish relations and history of the Polish people in the UK. He was a regular contributor to Res Publica and Visegrad Insight – two academic journals published from Warsaw.

In July 2018, Bujak was imprisoned for six years by a judge at Southwark Crown Court, having been found guilty of fraud.

In 2016, a memorial, commissioned by Philip Bujak and dedicated to the men of the 3rd Carpathian Division (including his father) who were based at Riddlesworth Resettlement Camp in 1946, was unveiled by The Ambassador of The Republic of Poland, Mr Witold Sobkow. The inscription reads:

Philip Bujak is a former liveryman of the Worshipful Company of Gardeners. He retired through ill health in 2014.

In 2012, Philip Bujak oversaw the restoration of a portrait of Edward Rydz-Śmigły by the artist, Jan Hawrylkiewicz. This painting was the second of what was a commitment to restore two such artworks a year and followed the restoration of the iconic Battle of Britain painting Return from a Successful Sortie by Artur Horowicz.

In 2011, in recognition of his work in highlighting the contribution of members of the Polish community in the UK, during and after the Second World War, he was awarded the Pro Memoria Medal by the Republic of Poland. For his fundraising activities he was awarded the Order pro merito Melitensi (cross) by the Sovereign Military Order of Malta and in 2010 he was granted the Freedom of the City of London.

A commitment to raising awareness of the contribution of the Polish community living in the UK saw Philip Bujak co-found (and serve as Vice-Chairman) of The Polish Heritage Society UK in 2009; prompt the repair and erection of a statue of Frederyk Chopin at the South Bank Centre (a gift from the people of Poland in the 1970s that had been allowed to fall into disrepair); and the placing of a plaque to commemorate the London home of Stanislaw Sosabowski in Chiswick. In 2013, Philip Bujak led the initiative to place another plaque at 51 New Cavendish Street to mark the London headquarters of the Polish Navy during 1939–1945, unveiled in November 2013 by Witold Sobkow, the Polish Ambassador.

Between 2005–2009, Bujak ran annual residential leadership courses for prospective Headteachers at St Edmund's College, Oxford and was appointed to the Skills & Crafts Commission on reforming apprenticeships.

In 2003, Bujak was appointed Chief Executive of the Montessori St Nicholas Charity in London and became responsible for the largest aspect of the Montessori movement across the United Kingdom. In 2005, he founded The Montessori Schools Association, which now comprises approximately 700 Montessori schools; and, in collaboration with Manchester Local Authority, established the first ever state Montessori school at Gorton Mount. Bujak, speaking to The Guardian, said "I would love to do it for other schools." Between 2005 and 2009, Bujak ran annual residential leadership courses for prospective Headteachers at St Edmund's College, Oxford and was appointed to the Skills and Crafts Commission on reforming apprenticeships. In 2007 Bujak published Around The World in 100 Years, a celebration of the centenary of the Montessori movement and its worldwide appeal. In 2008, he established The Montessori Evaluation and Accreditation Board which is now the leading Montessori accreditation scheme in Europe, with 152 leading Montessori schools in membership. In 2009, he was appointed Managing Director of Montessori Centre International which is the largest Montessori training college in Europe. In 2012, Bujak led a successful Montessori bid to secure the first Department of Education contract for the Montessori with the Charity providing parenting classes funded by central government in Camden, London. In 2012, Bujak, championed the Montessori Manifesto 2012–2015, a major national initiative funded by the St Nicholas Charity, to take the Montessori into the most challenged inner city communities across the UK. In 2013, Bujak expanded the reach of the St Nicholas Charity into Poland with the opening of a new office in Warsaw and the launch of a new online course in Polish. This was the latest of a series of European initiatives sponsored by the St Nicholas Charity.

In 1985, Philip Bujak was commissioned as a 2nd lieutenant in the Royal Anglian Regiment (Territorial Army), serving as a platoon commander alongside his teaching career.

Prior to working for the Montessori St Nicholas Charity, Bujak taught history at Langley School, Norfolk; having completed his teacher-training at Keswick Hall, Norfolk, after reading History at the University of East Anglia, 1979–1982. He was Head of History at Langley School from 1983 to 1988, then Head of Lower and Middle School and Boarding Housemaster from 1988 to 1993. In 1993, he became Headmaster of Stover School for Girls, remaining Headmaster until 2003. During the 10 years he was Headmaster of Stover, he expanded the school from 120 to 535 pupils and opened Stover Preparatory School in 1998.

Philip Edwin Bujak (born 17 February 1960) is an educationalist and commentator on Anglo Polish affairs As CEO of Montessori St Nicholas Charity he was responsible for the founding of the Montessori Schools Association, the Montessori Evaluation and Accreditation Board, and a leader in the drive for the creation of state funded Montessori schools.