Our governance
Decision-making, executive and managerial bodies in the Department for Education (DfE).
Explains the roles and structure of our boards and committees.
Departmental Board
The Departmental Board advises on strategy, operations and the deliverability of policy. It is also supervisory:
- scrutinising delivery and performance, including how the Department for Education (DfE) reports on these across all of our business
- challenging the department on how well it is achieving its objectives
The board oversees the Audit and Risk Committee and the Nominations Committee. It receives regular updates from the Leadership Team on the executive management of the department. The board advises on any issues that are escalated by committees and may also ask any committee to look at a specific issue in more detail.
Membership
Chair
- The Rt Hon Gillian Keegan MP, Secretary of State for Education
Other members
- Baroness Barran, Minister for the School System and Student Finance (minister for the board)
- Richard Pennycook, lead non-executive board member
- Sir Peter Bazalgette, Non-executive board member
- Jack Boyer, Non-executive board member
- Stuart McMinnies, Non-executive board member
- Toby Peyton-Jones, Non-executive board member
- Susan Acland-Hood, Permanent Secretary
- Tony Foot, Director General, Strategy Group
- Jane Cunliffe, Chief Operating Officer and Director General, Operations and Infrastructure Group
Standing invitations
- The Rt Hon Damian Hinds MP, Minister for Schools
- The Rt Hon Robert Halfon MP, Minister for Skills, Apprenticeships and Higher Education
- David Johnston MP Minister for Children, Families, and Wellbeing
- John Edwards, Director General, Regions Group
- Julia Kinniburgh, Director General, Skills Group
- Juliet Chua, Director General, Schools Group
- Justin Russell, Director General, Families Group
- Warwick Sharp, Director, Strategy and Delivery
Audit and Risk Committee
The Audit and Risk Committee (ARC) advises the board and Principal Accounting Officer on the strategic processes for risk, control, and governance and the governance statement.
The ARC can refer specific issues to the Implementation Committee for in-depth discussion, independent challenge and collective problem-solving.
It can also refer specific risks to the Performance and Risk Committee for further investigation. The ARC terms of reference are available.
Membership
Chair
Independent members
- Charlotte Moar
- Alastair Murray
- Emir Feisal
- Harjit Sandhu
Additional attendees
- Susan Acland-Hood, Permanent Secretary
- Jane Cunliffe, Chief Operating Officer and Director General, Operations and Infrastructure Group
- Head of Internal Audit
- National Audit Office representative
- senior representatives of the executive agencies (as required)
Nominations Committee
The Nominations Committee supports and challenges DfE arrangements for senior appointments, talent and pay. It advises the Permanent Secretary on senior talent and succession planning, and remuneration.
It also supports ministers by scrutinising the processes the department has in place for public appointments. The committee reports to the Departmental Board and can recommend actions for the Leadership Team.
Membership
Chair
- Richard Pennycook, lead non-executive board member
Non-executive board members
- Sir Peter Bazalgette, Non-executive board member
- Jack Boyer, Non-executive board member
- Stuart McMinnies, Non-executive board member
- Toby Peyton-Jones, Non-executive board member
Role-specific attendees
- Susan Acland-Hood, Permanent Secretary
- Naomi Schweitzer, Director, Human Resources and Transformation
Leadership Team
The Leadership Team supports the Permanent Secretary in running the department. It makes sure DfE is as effective as possible in delivering its business and government policy. It sets the direction for the department’s organisational strategy and business plans and provides day-to-day executive leadership and management.
The Leadership Team reports to the Departmental Board and is supported by sub-committees covering:
- people matters
- data, digital and technology
- performance and risk
- investment decisions and monitoring
It can refer specific risks and issues to the Implementation Committee for in-depth discussion, independent challenge and collective problem-solving.
Membership
Chair
- Susan Acland-Hood, Permanent Secretary
Role-specific members
- John Edwards, Director General, Regions Group
- Jane Cunliffe, Interim Chief Operating Officer and Director General, Operations and Infrastructure Group
- Julia Kinniburgh, Director General, Skills Group
- Juliet Chua, Director General, Schools Group
- Justin Russell, Director General, Families Group
- Tony Foot, Director General, Strategy Group
Annual report and accounts
Department for Education annual report and accounts, 2022 to 2023