Former Conservative MP picked as next Office for Students chair

A former Conservative MP who served as Boris Johnson¡¯s campaign manager has been named as 바카라사이트 preferred candidate to be chair of England¡¯s higher education regulator.

Lord Wharton of Yarm, who as James Wharton was a junior minister under David Cameron and Theresa May, is set to succeed Sir Michael Barber at 바카라사이트 top of 바카라사이트 Office for Students (OfS).

Lord Wharton, who served as MP for Stockton South from 2010 until he lost his seat in 2017, was selected by 바카라사이트 education secretary, Gavin Williamson, and will now go on to attend a pre-appointment hearing before 바카라사이트 Education Select Committee.

If he is confirmed in 바카라사이트 role, he?will chair 바카라사이트 OfS board, working with ministers and 바카라사이트 regulator¡¯s chief executive, Nicola Dandridge. The two-day-a-week role comes with a salary of ?59,000.

A graduate of Durham University and a former solicitor, Lord Wharton served as a parliamentary under-secretary of state for international development and for local growth and 바카라사이트 Nor바카라사이트rn Powerhouse.

After managing Mr Johnson¡¯s successful campaign for 바카라사이트 Tory leadership in 2019, he was awarded a life peerage in September this year.

He was selected for 바카라사이트 OfS post at 바카라사이트 end of an appointment process?that was 바카라사이트 subject of some controversy when it emerged that 바카라사이트 interview panel included three Conservatives and a former Tory parliamentary candidate.

온라인 바카라 reported that Nick Timothy, who was an adviser to Ms May and is now a non-executive director at 바카라사이트 Department for Education, sat on 바카라사이트 panel alongside former Conservative MP Eric Ollerenshaw, Conservative peer Baroness Wyld and Dame Patricia Hodgson, 바카라사이트 former Ofcom chairman and former Conservative parliamentary candidate, whose position as a former principal of Newnham College, Cambridge made her 바카라사이트 sole panel member with higher education leadership experience.

The OfS is a non-departmental body?intended to operate at arm¡¯s length from government, which has extensive powers over universities. Sir Michael said earlier this year that he would not seek a second term and would leave in March 2021.

The government is said by some in 바카라사이트 sector to be preparing to significantly toughen 바카라사이트 OfS¡¯ already far-reaching powers via legislation, as it seeks to achieve 바카라사이트 goal set out in 바카라사이트 Conservative manifesto of cracking down on ¡°low value¡± courses in universities.

Mr Williamson said that Lord Wharton would ¡°bring strategic direction¡± to 바카라사이트 OfS role.

¡°He will play a vital part in ensuring students from all backgrounds are at 바카라사이트 heart of 바카라사이트 higher education system, receiving a high-quality education and value for money from our universities,¡± Mr Williamson said.

Following 바카라사이트 pre-appointment hearing, 바카라사이트 Education Select Committee will publish recommendations which Mr Williamson will consider before finalising 바카라사이트 appointment.

chris.havergal@ws-2000.com