Hilary Spencer

Biography

Hilary took up the role of Director of the Government Equalities Office in July 2016. The Government Equalities Office leads work on policy relating to women, sexual orientation and transgender equality, and is responsible for the wider equality framework across government.

Hilary previously spent two years as Director of Civil Service Learning, working with government departments, professions and training providers to increase the capability of the Civil Service. The majority of Hilary’s career has been focused on education and social policy in the UK, with senior roles in the Department for Education as Director of Strategy, and as Principal Private Secretary. Her domestic experience includes policy design, implementation of school reform, teacher training, counter-terrorism, and civil service capacity-building.

She also has a range of international experience and has worked on the World Bank’s ten year education strategy, higher education in the European Union, primary education in both Ghana and South Africa, and vocational skills in China.

Previous roles in Government

Director of Civil Service Learning

  • 2014 - 2016

Director of Strategy, Performance and Private Office Group, Department for Education

  • 2012 - 2013

Previous roles in government

  • Director, Government Equalities Office
  • Director of Strategy