Professor Edward Peck CBE named as preferred candidate to be the
next Chair of the Office for Students by Education Secretary.
Professor Peck will now go on to attend a pre-appointment hearing
before the Education Select Committee on 4 March.
The Office for Students (OfS) is the independent regulator of
higher education in England. It is responsible for ensure that
every student has a fulfilling university experience that
enriches their lives and careers. Following last year's election
one of its top priorities has been monitoring the financial
sustainability of the sector.
Professor Peck has been selected following a rigorous assessment
process conducted in accordance with the Governance Code on
Public Appointments. He currently serves as Chair of the HE
Mental Health Implementation Taskforce and is the DfE's Student
Support Champion, and will stand down as Vice Chancellor of
Nottingham Trent University this summer.
If appointed Professor Peck will take over from Sir , who was appointed interim
chair last year following Lord Wharton of Yarm's resignation. Sir
David's independent review, Fit for the Future, was published in
July and is informing the OfS's priorities on financial
sustainability and quality.
Education Secretary said:
Professor Peck has played a key role in supporting students and
has a wealth of experience that will be instrumental in guiding
the OfS forward. I look forward to finalising his
appointment.
He will play a vital part in supporting higher education
providers' financial sustainability and breaking down barriers to
opportunity. Through our Plan for Change we want to ensure
students from all backgrounds are at the heart of the higher
education system, and receive a high quality education that will
help them drive growth as we fix the foundations of our
economy.
I would like to thank Sir David for his independent review and
the work he has done as interim chair which will inform the
strategic direction of the OfS as it implements his core
recommendations.
The Chair leads the OfS at board level, working with Ministers
and the Chief Executive to provide clear leadership and
priorities for the next phase of the OfS' critical work.
Since 2014 Professor Peck has served as Vice Chancellor of
Nottingham Trent University, and currently holds roles as a
trustee of UCAS, Chair of the HE Mental Health Implementation
Taskforce and the DfE's first Student Support Champion. Following
his appointment he will stand down from these roles.
He has also served on the Independent Advisory Panel for Post-18
Education and Funding (the Augar Review), and from 2008-2014 was
Pro Vice-Chancellor and Head of the College of Social Sciences at
the University of Birmingham.
Following his pre-appointment hearing, the Education Select
Committee will publish their recommendations, which the Education
Secretary will consider before deciding whether to finalise the
appointment.
