The Chair of Ofqual, Roger Taylor has today (15 December)
informed the Secretary of State for Education that he will step
down at the end of the year.
Mr Taylor was initially a member of the Ofqual board in 2012
before being appointed as Chair in December 2016.
He will be replaced by Ian Bauckham CBE, who has been appointed
as interim Chair from January 2021, pending the appointment of a
Chair for a fixed term period through fair and open competition.
Education Secretary said:
Following Roger Taylor’s decision to step down as Ofqual Chair
at the end of the year, I’d like to thank him for his
contribution over the last eight years.
Throughout this time, he has shown absolute commitment to
ensuring qualifications are of the highest possible standard,
while recognising the role they play in opening doors for both
young people and adults.
I am delighted that Ian Bauckham, who is already a member of
the board, has agreed to act as interim Chair until a
substantive Chair can be appointed. This will help see a smooth
transition for work on exams and assessments in 2021 and
beyond.
Former Ofqual Chair Roger Taylor said:
Ofqual is an organisation of enormously dedicated and
professional people who care deeply about the importance of
qualifications and their role in supporting the benefits of
high-quality education. After what has been a very difficult
summer, I am leaving the organisation in good shape and in good
hands. We have put in place measures for young people sitting
exams in 2021 which represent the best approach to these
difficult times.
I am delighted that Ian Bauckham CBE will be taking over as
Chair. Ian knows the organisation well, having been on the
board since spring 2018. I look forward with confidence to its
future success in ensuring there are excellent qualifications
appropriate for the needs of all young people and learners.
Interim Ofqual Chair Ian Bauckham said:
I was pleased to accept the role of interim chair of Ofqual and
very much look forward to the year ahead as we continue our
work to oversee examinations and qualifications across England.
Mr Bauckham is the CEO of Tenax Schools Trust, a multi-academy
trust, and Chair of Oak National Academy. He has been a member of
the Ofqual board since March 2018 and a member of the Ofqual
Standards Advisory Group since 2015.
