Director General, Skills

Sinead O'Sullivan

Biography

Sinead O’Sullivan is the acting Director General for Skills Group, taking on the role in January 2026.

Prior to this she was Director of Further Education Oversight from December 2022 to January 2026, responsible for further education, capital funding, accountability, workforce and analysis.

Sinead’s previous roles in government include:

  • Director of Labour Market Skills and Funding, responsible for policy on adult skills
  • Director of Career Learning, Analysis and Skills
  • Director of Delivery and Accounting Officer, National College for Teaching and Leadership (NCTL)

Director General, Skills

The director general is a member of the Department for Education’s leadership team and attends both the implementation and management committees.

The role is responsible for:

  • higher education, including student finance and the lifelong loan entitlement
  • further education
  • skills, training and careers for those aged 19 years and under
  • sponsorship of:

Department for Education

Previous roles in government

  • Director of Delivery and Accounting Officer, NCTL
    • 2013 to 2018