Sir Ian Bauckham named as interim Ofqual chief regulator

Sir Ian Bauckham CBE has been chosen by the Secretary of State for Education as interim Chief Regulator of Qualifications for England, replacing Dr Jo Saxton who will leave 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, Gillian Keegan 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."