Susan Lapworth has been appointed as Chief Executive of the
Office for Students (OfS) following an open appointment process
conducted by the Department for Education.
Susan has served as OfS interim Chief Executive since May 2022,
prior to which she was its Director of Regulation, and has worked
in the higher education sector for 19 years.
The Office for Students acts as the independent regulator for
Higher Education in England. The Chief Executive is responsible
for setting and delivering the strategic vision for how the OfS
will achieve its aims of championing the interests of every
student, whatever their background, and making sure that all
students have a fulfilling higher education experience.
The appointment will take effect from 1 September 2022 until the
end of August 2026.
Susan will work closely with the OfS board, Government and higher
education stakeholders to deliver the OfS’s regulatory priorities
for the next four years.
Secretary of State for Education said:
As interim Chief Executive of the Office for Students, Susan has
demonstrated her leadership skills and put students’ interests
first. She has extensive knowledge and experience of our
world-class higher education sector, so I’m pleased to make this
appointment.
I look forward to seeing her play a pivotal role in improving
graduate outcomes and ensuring that all students receive the
high-quality academic experience they deserve.
Chief Executive of the OfS Susan Lapworth said:
I am delighted to have been appointed as the OfS’s chief
executive. English universities and colleges make an enormous
contribution to society and individuals, through teaching,
research and work in their communities.
This complex and diverse sector would not have a regulator if its
work was unimportant and I look forward to continuing to work
with the excellent team at the OfS to ensure that students from
all backgrounds can access and succeed on high quality courses
which leave them well prepared for life after graduation.
