Dr Jo Saxton

Biography

Dr Jo Saxton became the Chief Regulator of Ofqual on 18 September 2021. She brings a decade of experience in school leadership to the role. She has been a government advisor and was formerly an academic. Jo held senior roles at multi-academy trust Future Academies and founded Turner Schools in 2016, leading it as Chief Executive until 2020.

Jo was an external advisor to the Department for Education and Ofsted on various policy areas from 2008, and became policy advisor for the school system to the Education Secretary from 2020 until 2021. Jo served as a Trustee of the New Schools Network, as a Trustee of The Brilliant Club, and as an Ofqual Board Member from 2018 to 2020.

Jo taught and examined at universities in the United Kingdom and the United States of America. She holds several academic qualifications including a PhD from New York University and an undergraduate degree from Cambridge University. Jo is also a published art historian.

Previous roles in government

  • Chief Regulator, Ofqual