Simon Ridley Appointed as new Department for Education Permanent Secretary
Simon Ridley appointed as current Permanent Secretary, Susan Acland-Hood, leaves for new role
The Cabinet Secretary, with the approval of the Prime Minister, has appointed Simon Ridley as the new Permanent Secretary, Department for Education (DfE), succeeding Susan Acland-Hood who is taking up a new role outside government.
Simon is currently the Second Permanent Secretary at the Home Office. He has previously been the acting Permanent Secretary at the Home Office on two occasions, and head of the Cabinet Office COVID-19 Taskforce.
Secretary of State for Education, Lucy Powell, said:
I want to thank Susan Acland-Hood for her leadership of the department.
Susan has been an exceptional Permanent Secretary and public servant - helping children and families recover from the pandemic, expanding childcare provision, strengthening the skills system and so much more.
This government is determined to make sure that every child, whatever their background, can achieve and succeed. I look forward to working with Simon, who brings a breadth of experience and track record of delivery, to drive forward this work.
Cabinet Secretary, Dame Antonia Romeo, said:
I am delighted to announce Simon’s appointment as Permanent Secretary for DfE. Simon has an impressive track record at the Home Office, the Cabinet Office, the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government and HM Treasury. The breadth of his experience and leadership make him very well placed to lead the DfE and its crucial agenda.
I would like to thank Susan Acland-Hood for her excellent leadership of the department since 2020, for her strong leadership of the Policy Profession across the whole Civil Service, and for 27 years of impressive public service. Susan has been instrumental in leading and strengthening England’s education system, and made a very significant contribution to the Civil Service in her six years as a Permanent Secretary. I wish her well in her new role.
Permanent Secretary, Susan Acland-Hood, said:
It has been a privilege to lead the Department for Education for the last six years. I am immensely proud of the work we have done together to take our system ever closer to being the best in the world, through evidence-based policy, disciplined, determined delivery, and wide and deep partnership. My colleagues in the Department are remarkable, and I know how brilliantly they will carry on this work of restless improvement, change and growth across education and children’s social care under Simon’s excellent leadership, as I move to my new role.
I want to thank all those who get up every morning and put children and learners first – social workers, early educators, teaching assistants, teachers, headteachers, lecturers, College and Trust leaders, local authority and regional leaders, governors, volunteers and so many more. You, like the extraordinary young people of this country, are always an inspiration.
Simon Ridley said:
I am thrilled to be appointed Permanent Secretary at the Department for Education. There is nothing more important than making sure every child and young person has the best start in life and every opportunity to succeed.
I am looking forward to working with all the brilliant people in the department, and leaders and practitioners throughout the country, to deliver the Secretary of State’s ambitious agenda.
I would like to thank everyone at the Home Office for all they do to make the UK safe and secure.
This appointment follows a managed move process approved by the Prime Minister and the Education Secretary, in consultation with the First Civil Service Commissioner.
Simon will start as DfE Permanent Secretary in November.
ENDS