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Appointment of the Chair of the Office for Students Contents

2The position of the Chair

Role and person specification

10.The Chair is an appointment made by the Secretary of State for a term of four years. The job advert for Chair states that it is seeking a candidate who has “substantial experience of senior leadership in a large and complex organisation” and “a track record of managing corporate change, particularly establishing a new organisation or leading a restructure, and setting strategic direction in this context”. The description asks for candidates who can “demonstrate an understanding of how to promote social mobility” and have an “appreciation of how to work effectively with Government or as a regulator”.

Box 1: Job description for Chair

Person Specification

The successful candidate had to demonstrate how they met the following essential criteria in their application:

  • Substantial experience of senior leadership in a large and complex organisation.
  • A track record of managing corporate change, particularly establishing a new organisation or leading a restructure, and setting strategic direction in this context.
  • Excellent communication and influencing skills to build relationships across the sector and command the respect of the diverse range of higher education providers, as well as students and employers.
  • An appreciation of how to work effectively with Government or as a regulator.
  • Demonstrate strategic thinking and sound judgement as well as influencing skills to promote the interests of the OfS and pursue strategic opportunities.
  • Candidates will demonstrate experience and understanding that covers one or more of business, higher education, regulation or Government.
  • Candidates will demonstrate an understanding of how to promote social mobility.

Role profile

The successful candidate would have a proven record of successful leadership and a commitment to delivering excellence in higher education. He or she must be highly credible with a reputation for integrity.

The Chair of the OfS is appointed by the Secretary of State for Education and will:

  • Take a leading role in the formation of the OfS including advising Ministers on the recruitment and selection of the non-executive board and the key executive positions of Chief Executive and Director for Fair Access and Participation, ensuring they incorporate a range of experience noted in the Bill and reflect the diversity of the sector.
  • Work with the Chief Executive, and appropriate partners to develop a new organisational design and culture for the OfS and manage the transition from current arrangements to the OfS.
  • In conjunction with Ministers, the Chief Executive and the board, develop the OfS’ strategic direction and policies.
  • Build effective relationships with partners and engage with the academic and business community, Government departments, Parliament as well as other public, private and third sector partners to establish the OfS as a credible and effective independent market regulator.
  • Oversee the OfS in the successful pursuit of its objectives, providing the strategic leadership, direction, and vision necessary to achieve its aims as an independent regulator promoting student choice and competition.
  • Work closely with the Chief Executive to set the strategic direction of the OfS on an ongoing basis and deliver an effective and efficient organisation through robust financial management and governance.
  • Develop lasting and strategic opportunities with UK Research and Innovation and other public bodies to share data and work together on areas of common interest.

Source: Department for Education

Sir Michael Barber, the Government’s preferred candidate

11.The Government’s preferred candidate, Sir Michael Barber, has over 30 years’ experience in education and Government. Since 2011 he has been Chief Education Advisor to Pearson. Before this he was the Department for International Development’s (DfID) special representative on education in Pakistan and Head of McKinsey’s Global Education Practice. From 2001–2005 he was Head of the Prime Minister’s Delivery Unit. Sir Michael has also held posts as Professor of Education at Keele University and the Institute for Education, University of London. Sir Michael’s CV is appended to this report.

12.In line with the guidance drawn up by the Liaison Committee on the conduct of pre-appointment hearings, our questioning sought to test Sir Michael’s professional competence and personal independence. We explored the following areas with Sir Michael:

13.The breadth of Sir Michael’s experience puts him in a strong position to establish and chair the Office for Students. We hope that he will bring his knowledge of global education systems to bear in aid of higher education in England at a time of significant change leading up to and following the UK’s exit from the European Union.

14.In establishing the OfS, Sir Michael should have particular regard for the development of the organisation’s relationship with the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA). We were encouraged by his comments on creating an environment where excellence can be achieved, but remain to be convinced of the attractiveness of a bronze rating in the TEF. Sir Michael will need to consider the risks to students and the sector of an increase in alternative providers. We look forward to hearing from Sir Michael and the new Chief Executive on the progress made in anticipation of the OfS’s formal establishment in 2018, subject to passage of the Bill.

15.We endorse Sir Michael Barber’s appointment as Chair of the Office for Students.



22 February 2017