Ucas appoints Ofqual¡¯s Jo Saxton as new chief executive

UK admissions service Ucas has appointed a new chief executive following 바카라사이트 departure of Clare Marchant.

Jo Saxton, currently chief regulator of qualifications at Ofqual, will take over at Ucas in January as it continues to plan for an?expected rise in 바카라사이트 number of university applicants?over 바카라사이트 remainder of 바카라사이트 decade.

Dr Saxton, a former senior civil servant in 바카라사이트 Department for Education, has been at Ofqual since 2021 and has overseen 바카라사이트 return of GCSEs and A levels after exams were cancelled during 바카라사이트 pandemic. Her predecessor, Sally Collier, resigned following controversy surrounding an algorithm used to determine pupils¡¯ grades.

She is a graduate of 바카라사이트 University of Cambridge and holds master¡¯s and doctoral degrees from New York University. In 2022 she was awarded an honorary PhD by 바카라사이트 University of Buckingham¡¯s School of Education.

Ms Marchant led Ucas for six years, overseeing a doubling in 바카라사이트 number of applicants it supports and moves into?putting?apprenticeships on?an equal footing to traditional degrees.

She has?become 바카라사이트 University of Gloucestershire¡¯s new vice-chancellor, replacing Stephen Marston who retired at 바카라사이트 end of July.

Dr Saxton said she was ¡°delighted¡± to take up 바카라사이트 role at Ucas, adding that 바카라사이트 organisation was ¡°at 바카라사이트 heart¡± of giving students of all ages 바카라사이트 ¡°opportunities to achieve¡±.

Trudy Norris-Grey, chair of Ucas¡¯ board, said Dr Saxton ¡°brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise coupled with a proven track record of transformative leadership in education¡±.

Education minister Gillian Keegan said she was ¡°hugely grateful¡± to Dr Saxton for ¡°guiding Ofqual through 바카라사이트 challenges that followed 바카라사이트 pandemic, ultimately overseeing a smooth return to exams and normal grading¡±.

¡°I look forward to continuing to work with Jo in her new role at Ucas, supporting students to progress onto university, degree apprenticeships and 바카라사이트 world of work,¡± Ms Keegan added.

Sander Kristel, chief operating officer at Ucas, will act as interim chief executive until Dr Saxton is in post. The Department for Education said it will soon begin 바카라사이트 process for appointing a new chief regulator and an interim appointment will be made in due course.

tom.williams@ws-2000.com