Ofqual’s new Chief Regulator, Dr Jo Saxton, has taken up
her post at England’s independent qualifications regulator.
The former Ofqual board member and government education
policy adviser took up her role on 18 September, following
interim Chief Regulator
Simon Lebus.
Dr Saxton said:
“I believe in the power of education to transform life
chances, which is why I’m so passionate about
qualifications.
“As chief regulator, pupils and students will be at the
heart of every decision we make at Ofqual: their best
interests will be my compass.
“The Ofqual kitemark gives confidence to learners choosing
their next step and to employers making recruitment
decisions.
“I am looking forward to building on the work of my
predecessor Simon Lebus and the team at Ofqual.”
Dr Saxton has led inner-city and coastal schools, and
during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic was adviser at
the Department for Education, working on a range of
policies from academies and regulation through to
qualifications and the establishment of Oak National
Academy.
Interim Chair of Ofqual Ian Bauckham CBE added:
“I’m thrilled to welcome Dr Saxton to Ofqual, as we settle
in to a new academic year.
“As a former educator and Ofqual board member, I have no
doubt that she will provide insightful leadership to
Ofqual.”
Before working with academies and schools, Dr Saxton taught
and examined at universities in England and the United
States of America. She holds a PhD from New York University
and an undergraduate degree from the University of
Cambridge.
