Sir Ian Bauckham CBE has been selected by the Secretary of State
for Education as interim Chief Regulator of Qualifications for
England, replacing Dr Jo Saxton who will leave her current role
as Chief Regulator at the end of the year to become Chief
Executive at UCAS.
Sir Ian has served as Chair of Ofqual since January 2021 and will
stand down in order to take up the post of interim Chief
Regulator. He has been a member of the Ofqual board since March
2018.
The appointment as interim Chief Regulator is for 12 months from
1 January 2024. The public appointments process for a substantive
Chief Regulator will commence shortly.
Sir Ian was knighted for services to education in January 2023.
He has been Chief Executive Officer of the Tenax Schools Academy
Trust since 2015, a role from which he is standing down to become
the interim Chief Regulator. He is also Chair of Oak National
Academy.
Sir Ian Bauckham CBE, said:
My entire career to date has been devoted to advancing education.
It is an honour, therefore, to be invited to serve as interim
Chief Regulator of Qualifications by the Secretary of State at
such an important time.
Qualifications, supported by regulation, open doors and transform
life chances for students. I will be pleased to build on the
existing working relationships I have with colleagues both within
Ofqual and across the sector in this new capacity.
I look forward to continuing Jo’s good work, and am fully
committed to using Ofqual’s powers to regulate on behalf of
students and apprentices.
Education Secretary, said:
Sir Ian’s experience will be invaluable as Ofqual continues to
ensure our current qualifications work effectively, alongside
playing a vital role in the development of our new Advanced
British Standard.
I’d like to thank Jo for guiding Ofqual through the challenges
that followed the pandemic and ultimately overseeing a smooth
return to exams and normal grading.
Notes to editors
The recommendation of Sir Ian as interim Chief Regulator has been
approved by the Prime Minister. As a Crown appointment, he will
be put forward as the recommended candidate for appointment by
His Majesty in Council.
An announcement on the appointment of an interim Chair of the
Ofqual Board will be made in due course.
