January 2026 to March 2026 business appointment rules
Updated 1 October 2026
Applies to England
© Crown copyright 2026
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This publication is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/dfe-business-appointment-rules-advice/january-2026-to-march-2026-business-appointment-rules
January to March 2026
This page provides information about outside appointments or employment taken up by former members of the Department for Education.
It covers former staff at senior civil service levels SCS1 and SCS2 and equivalents that fall within the scope of the business appointment rules. It also covers special advisers of equivalent level.
Full name of applicant: Dr Kevin Cheung
Title of former Civil Service role: Deputy Director of Assessment Digital Data and Technology
Date left or retired from the Civil Service: 20 February 2026
New employer: AQA Education
New appointment or employment (including when taken up): Head of Assessment Research, Technology and Implementation, 22 February 2026
Department’s decision on application (including details of any waiting period or other conditions or restrictions applied):
Approved with the following conditions:
- Kevin will not be part of any bidding team or part of any lobbying of the department or agencies for a period of 2 years from departure
- for 2 years following departure, all contact with the department must be made through official channels only
- during the notice period there will be no involvement in any work related to the new employer
- Kevin will continue to be bound by the rules of confidentiality and propriety in relation to privileged information gained in office
Full name of applicant: Avril Cooper
Title of former Civil Service role: Deputy Director, HR Specialist Services and Advice
Date left or retired from the Civil Service: 20 March 2026
New employer: Richmond and Wandsworth Councils
New appointment or employment (including when taken up): HR Director, 23 March 2026
Department’s decision on application (including details of any waiting period or other conditions or restrictions applied): Approved with no conditions