The education secretary today announced the appointment of Sir
Martyn Oliver as the next His Majesty’s chief inspector (HMCI) of
education, children’s services and skills.
The privy council has confirmed his appointment through an order
in council, after a thorough recruitment process conducted in
line with the requirements set by the commissioner for public
appointments.
Sir Martyn was recommended as the government’s preferred
candidate by the education secretary earlier this year and was
also endorsed by the education select committee following a
pre-appointment hearing last month.
He is an accomplished school and trust leader with a track record
of driving up standards in areas with high levels of
disadvantage. Sir Martyn is currently the chief executive of
Outwood Grange Academies Trust (OGAT), a large multi-academy
trust which has grown under Sir Martyn’s leadership from 17
academies to 41 primary, junior, secondary and alternative
provision academies in the north of England. He was honoured for
his services to education in the recent queen’s birthday honours
list in 2022.
Secretary of state for education said:
Sir Martyn Oliver is an accomplished school and trust leader with
a tremendous record of driving up standards and I’m delighted to
announce that he has been confirmed as Ofsted’s next chief
inspector.
I want to thank Amanda Spielman for her work over the past seven
years. She successfully led Ofsted through a series of
significant reforms in education and children’s services,
alongside championing a broad and balanced curriculum.
We look forward to building on this vital work with Sir Martyn
Oliver to ensure Ofsted continues to evolve.
Sir Martyn Oliver, chief executive officer of Outwood Grange
Academies Trust, said:
I was deeply honoured and hugely privileged to be recommended for
this role by the secretary of state, and am delighted that the
privy council has today approved my appointment.
I am looking forward to engaging with all parts of the sector
that Ofsted regulates and inspects through a Big Listen, so that
Ofsted is very much of the system and by the system for the
benefit of children and parents.
I promise to be empathetic, compassionate and understanding of
the challenges that those of us working in education, children’s
services and skills face, especially in terms of the recovery
post-covid, and will ensure that we always take a holistic view
for the good of all children, especially the most vulnerable and
those who are disadvantaged.
Sir Martyn will start his five-year term on January 1st 2024
after Amanda Spielman’s term ends on December 31st 2023 following
seven years of service.
