The Cabinet Secretary, with the approval of the Prime Minister,
has appointed Susan Acland-Hood as the new permanent secretary to
the Department for Education. Susan has been covering the role on
a temporary basis since September and will take up her
substantive promotion with immediate effect.
The Secretary of State, the Rt Hon said:
“I want to congratulate Susan on her permanent appointment as
permanent secretary here at the Department of Education. Having
worked closely with Susan over the last few months, I know she is
a great leader and has the skills and experience to really
deliver the Government’s ambitious agenda to level up education
across the country, giving every child an equal opportunity to
succeed.
“Susan is an outstanding civil servant with extensive experience
across government and education policy, and I look forward to
working with her as we build back better from the pandemic.”
The Cabinet Secretary, , said:
“I am delighted Susan has been appointed as permanent secretary
to the Department for Education. She will bring a wealth of
relevant experience to the role and a genuine enthusiasm for the
agenda having served in the department previously. Under her
leadership, I am confident that the department will deliver
high-quality education and children’s services for everyone.”
“It has been a privilege to lead the Department for Education
since September, and I am honoured and delighted to have been
confirmed as the permanent secretary. Shaping the Department and
supporting its committed, brilliant staff to do the best possible
job for children, and for students and learners of all ages, has
never mattered more, and I take up the challenge with passion and
determination.”
Notes for Editors
Susan Acland-Hood has been filling the role of permanent
secretary at DfE since September on a temporary basis. Prior to
taking on the role of acting permanent secretary at DfE, Susan
was Chief Executive of Her Majesty’s Courts & Tribunals
Service.
From 2015 to 2016 she was Director of Enterprise and Growth at HM
Treasury, responsible for policies on growth, energy, the
environment, business, infrastructure, exports, competition and
markets. She was Director of the Education and Funding Group at
DfE from 2013 to 2015, and before that held a range of posts
covering education and justice policy, including in No 10, the
Home Office, the London Borough of Tower Hamlets, and the Social
Exclusion Unit. Her civil service career began in the then
Department for Education and Employment in 1999.
