Paul Kett

Biography

Paul Kett was the Director General for Skills Group at the Department for Education until December 2022.

He was also the:

  • Chair of the DfE Digital, Data and Technology Committee
  • Departmental Race Champion
  • Head of the Policy Profession

Paul’s previous roles at DfE included:

  • Director General for Higher and Further Education, Transformation and International Education
  • Director General for Education Standards
  • Director for Teachers and Teaching

Before his appointment at DfE, he worked for the British Army as a member of the Army Board in the role of Director Army Reform.

Paul spent much of his earlier civil service career with the Ministry of Justice in roles spanning strategy, policy and project delivery, including:

  • Director Justice Reform
  • Private Secretary to the Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice

Paul studied Physics at the University of Leicester, followed by a Masters at the University of Birmingham.

He is also a:

  • Graduate of the Major Projects Leadership Academy (MPLA) at Saïd Business School, Oxford University
  • Policy Leader Fellow at the Cambridge University Centre for Science and Policy

Previous roles in government

  • Director General, Skills
  • Director General, Higher and Further Education Group
  • Director General, Education Standards