Charting Leadership:

The Organizational Structure of the Department for Education

Understanding Decision-Making and Executive Bodies

Author's Name: Sir Muhammad Arham

(Secretary of State for Education in the United Kingdom)

Tuesday 5th March 2024

 Our Governance:

Decision-Making and Executive Management Structure in the Department for Education (DfE)

Chairperson:

 The Rt Hon Muhammad Arham MP

 Background: Muhammad Arham is a Member of Parliament and serves as the Secretary of State for Education. He
has a background in business and economics, having previously worked in finance before entering politics.
 Role: As Chairperson, Muhammad Arham provides leadership to the board, presides over meetings, and ensures the
effective operation of the Department of Education.

Other members:

 Baroness Barran
 Background: Baroness Barran is a member of the House of Lords and serves as the Minister for the School System
and Student Finance. She has a background in social entrepreneurship and charitable work.
 Role: Baroness Barran represents the government's interests on the board and provides input on policies related to
the school system and student finance.

 Richard Pennycook
 Background: Richard Pennycook is a prominent business leader and serves as the lead non-executive board member.
He has held CEO positions in several major companies and has experience in corporate governance.
 Role: Richard Pennycook provides independent oversight and advice to the board, drawing on his extensive
experience in business management.

 Sir Peter Bazalgette

 Background: Sir Peter Bazalgette is a renowned media executive and philanthropist. He has held leadership positions
in broadcasting and has been involved in various charitable endeavours.
 Role: Sir Peter Bazalgette brings expertise in media and communications to the board, advising on strategies to
effectively communicate education policies to the public.

 Jack Boyer
 Background: Jack Boyer is a seasoned educator and education policy expert. He has worked in various roles in the
education sector, including as a teacher, school administrator, and policy analyst.
 Role: Jack Boyer represents the interests of educators and brings firsthand experience in education policy and
practice to the board.

 Stuart McMinnies
 Background: Stuart McMinnies is a senior executive with a background in risk management and corporate
governance. He has held leadership positions in finance and has served on audit committees.
 Role: Stuart McMinnies chairs the Audit and Risk Committee, providing oversight of the department's risk
management processes and financial controls.

 Toby Peyton-Jones
 Background: Toby Peyton-Jones is a human resources executive with experience in talent management and
organizational development. He has worked in multinational companies and has expertise in workforce planning.
 Role: Toby Peyton-Jones brings expertise in human resources and talent management to the board, advising on
strategies to attract, develop, and retain top talent in the education sector.

 Susan Acland-Hood
 Background: Susan Acland-Hood is a civil servant with extensive experience in government administration. She has
held senior positions in various government departments and has expertise in public policy.
 Role: Susan Acland-Hood serves as the Permanent Secretary, providing administrative support to the board and
ensuring the effective implementation of education policies.
 Standing invitations:

 The Rt Hon Damian Hinds MP

 Background: Damian Hinds is a Member of Parliament and serves as the Minister for Schools. He has a background
in economics and has held ministerial positions in various government departments.
 Role: Damian Hinds provides input on policies related to primary and secondary education, representing the
government's interests on the board.

 The Rt Hon Robert Halfon MP

 Background: Robert Halfon is a Member of Parliament and serves as the Minister for Skills, Apprenticeships, and
Higher Education. He has a background in political activism and has advocated for educational reform.
 Role: Robert Halfon provides input on policies related to skills training, apprenticeships, and higher education,
representing the government's interests on the board.

 David Johnston MP
 Background: David Johnston is a Member of Parliament and serves as the Minister for Children, Families, and
Wellbeing. He has a background in social work and has worked on policies related to child welfare.
 Role: David Johnston provides input on policies related to children and families, representing the government's
interests on the board.

 John Edwards
 Background: John Edwards is a civil servant with experience in regional development and governance. He has held
senior positions in government departments and has expertise in regional policy.
 Role: John Edwards represents the interests of regional stakeholders and advises on policies related to regional
education initiatives.

 Julia Kinniburgh
 Background: Julia Kinniburgh is a civil servant with expertise in skills development and vocational education. She has
worked in government departments and has experience in workforce development.
 Role: Julia Kinniburgh advises on policies related to skills training and vocational education, representing the
government's interests on the board.

 Juliet Chua
 Background: Juliet Chua is a civil servant with experience in primary and secondary education policy. She has worked
in government departments and has expertise in school improvement strategies.
 Role: Juliet Chua advises on policies related to primary and secondary education, representing the government's
interests on the board.

 Justin Russell
 Background: Justin Russell is a civil servant with experience in family support and child welfare. He has worked in
government departments and has expertise in social policy.
 Role: Justin Russell advises on policies related to family support and child welfare, representing the government's
interests on the board.

 Warwick Sharp
 Background: Warwick Sharp is a civil servant with experience in strategy development and implementation. He has
worked in government departments and has expertise in policy analysis.
 Role: Warwick Sharp provides strategic advice to the board and supports the implementation of education policies
and initiatives.
 Audit and Risk Committee (ARC):

Chairperson:

 Stuart McMinnies
 Background: (Already explained above)
 Role: Stuart McMinnies chairs the Audit and Risk Committee, providing oversight of the department's risk
management processes and financial controls.

Independent members:

 Charlotte Moar
 Background: Charlotte Moar is a seasoned financial professional with experience in audit and risk management. She
has worked in senior roles in the finance industry and has expertise in financial governance.

 Alastair Murray
 Background: Alastair Murray is a risk management expert with a background in regulatory compliance. He has
worked in various industries, including banking and insurance, and has experience in risk assessment and mitigation.

 Emir Feisal
 Background: Emir Feisal is a consultant specializing in internal audit and risk advisory services. He has worked with
government agencies and private organizations, providing expertise in internal controls and risk management.

 Harjit Sandhu
 Background: Harjit Sandhu is a chartered accountant with experience in risk assurance and governance. He has
worked with public sector organizations, conducting audits and advising on risk management practices.

Additional attendees:

 Susan Acland-Hood
 Background: (Already explained above)

 Jane Cunliffe
 Background: (Already explained above)

 Head of Internal Audit

 Role: The Head of Internal Audit oversees the internal audit function and ensures that audit activities are conducted
in accordance with professional standards and regulatory requirements.

 National Audit Office representative

 Role: The National Audit Office representative provides independent oversight of the department's financial
statements and operations, ensuring transparency and accountability.

 Senior representatives of the executive agencies (as required)

 Role: Senior representatives from executive agencies provide insights into agency-specific risks and governance
issues, ensuring that agency operations align with departmental objectives.
 Nominations Committee:

Chairperson:

 Richard Pennycook
 Background: (Already explained above)
 Role: Richard Pennycook chairs the Nominations Committee, overseeing senior appointments, talent management,
and succession planning within the Department of Education.

Non-executive board members:

 Sir Peter Bazalgette

 Background: (Already explained above)

 Jack Boyer
 Background: (Already explained above)

 Stuart McMinnies
 Background: (Already explained above)

 Toby Peyton-Jones
 Background: (Already explained above)

Role-specific attendees:

 Susan Acland-Hood
 Background: (Already explained above)

 Naomi Schweitzer
 Background: Naomi Schweitzer is a human resources professional with experience in talent management and
organizational development. She has worked in various industries, including government and private sectors, and
has expertise in workforce planning and transformation.
 Leadership Team:

Chairperson:

 Susan Acland-Hood
 Background: (Already explained above)
 Role: Susan Acland-Hood chairs the Leadership Team, providing executive leadership and management oversight to
ensure the effective implementation of education policies and initiatives.

Role-specific members:

 John Edwards
 Background: (Already explained above)

 Jane Cunliffe
 Background: (Already explained above)

 Julia Kinniburgh
 Background: (Already explained above)

 Juliet Chua
 Background: (Already explained above)

 Justin Russell
 Background: (Already explained above)

 Tony Foot
 Background: Tony Foot is a strategic planning professional with experience in government policy and organizational
strategy. He has worked in various government departments, advising on strategic initiatives and performance
management.