, Cabinet Secretary for
Education: Following an open and competitive process, and in
accordance with the Governance Code on Public Appointments, I am
pleased to announce that I have selected Paul Bevan as my
preferred candidate to take up the role as the new Chair of the
Qualifications Wales Board when the tenure of the current
Chair, OBE, expires in December 2025.
Paul has a strong background in education with an outstanding
record of leadership, organisational transformation and
development at Board level, working in both the Higher and
Further Education sectors. He has led significant change at
Manchester Metropolitan University and transformed an Executive
Directorate at Grwp Llandrillo Menai.
Paul is a volunteer on several boards including for Aberystwyth
University, Citizens Advice Flintshire, and is currently Chair of
the Electric Vehicle Association (EVA) Cymru.
This appointment is subject to pre-appointment scrutiny by the
Senedd which will take place on 3 July 2025. Following the
pre-appointment hearing, I will make my final decision on the
appointment and update members accordingly.
As the independent regulator for non-degree level qualifications
in Wales, Qualifications Wales is responsible for ensuring
that qualifications, and the Welsh qualification system, are
effective for meeting the reasonable needs of our learners; and
for promoting public confidence in the Welsh qualification
system.
The Chair and Board undertake an important role which
includes:
- Setting the strategic direction for Qualifications Wales;
- Monitoring the delivery of the organisation's business
strategy, plans and performance objectives.
- Steering and influencing the overall work of the
organisation.
Notes
This appointment will be made ‘in accordance with the
Governance Code on Public Appointments'.
All appointments are made on merit, and political activity plays
no part in the selection process. However, in accordance with the
original Nolan recommendations, there is a requirement for
appointees' political activity (if any declared) to be made
public. The preferred candidate has not declared any
political activity.
