Statement by Gavin Williamson on appointment of OfS Chair and guidance

Education Secretary Gavin Williamson has announced the appointment of Lord Wharton of Yarm as the new chair of the Office for Students (OfS).

Mr Williamson said:

“I am delighted to announce Lord Wharton as the new Chair of the Office for Students, who I am confident has the skills and experience to guide our students and the sector through these difficult times. I am also very grateful to Sir Michael for his years of devoted service, working to champion students’ interests.

“I look forward to working with Lord Wharton on the strategic priorities I have set out in today’s guidance to the Office for Students, supporting this government’s ambitious post-16 education agenda.

“I have been especially clear we must do much more to stamp out low quality courses in order to level up opportunity for all, while simultaneously moving to a more risk-based system of regulation that will free our world-class universities to focus on what they do best.”