Ofqual’s interim chief regulator will take on the position permanently, more than a year after his predecessor left.
Sir Ian Bauckham, who was appointed as interim chief regulator 13 months ago, will serve a five-year term leading the qualifications regulator.
He succeeds Jo Saxton, who left Ofqual at the end of 2023 to lead the university admissions service UCAS. When her departure was announced in September 2023, Ofqual said it expected to launch a recruitment process for Saxton’s successor shortly, with an interim chief regulator appointed to “provide continuity”.
But the following month, then-education secretary Gillian Keegan said she would appoint an interim chief regulator on an exceptional basis for 12 months, to account for "the challenge of recruiting an experienced suitable candidate to such a high profile and challenging role on a short-term basis".
Before taking on the interim post on 1 January 2024, Bauckham had been Ofqual’s chair since January 2021 and had sat on the regulator’s board since 2018.
He was chief executive of the Tenax Schools Academy Trust, which runs primary and secondary schools in Kent and East Sussex, for seven years up to December 2023. He has also chaired the board of Oak National Academy, an organisation providing an online classroom and resource hub.
He was knighted in January 2023 for his services to education.
Announcing his appointment, education secretary Bridget Phillipson said: “This government is committed to high and rising standards and fair assessments are crucial to this, opening the door to opportunity for children and young people and breaking the link between background and success.
“With his vast expertise in education, Sir Ian is exceptionally suited to lead Ofqual in maintaining a system that provides all young people with high-quality, rigorous qualifications and training, equipping them with the skills needed to succeed.”
The chief regulator’s main responsibility is to ensure that Ofqual meets its statutory objectives and duties, including upholding standards and fostering confidence in qualifications and assessments.
Bauckham said he was “honoured” to take on the permanent role “after dedicating my career to improving education and opportunities for young people”.
“Qualifications are the currency of education. Ofqual, as guardian of standards, will protect their value and integrity to ensure they remain trusted by students, teachers, universities and employers alike,” he said.
“Only through rigorous assessment and stable qualifications can we measure education performance and highlight areas where we can improve opportunities for all students.”