Office for Students: Difference between revisions

|chief1_position = Interim Chair

|chief1_name = Vacant[[David Behan]]

The OfS is governed by a board consisting of the chair, the Chief Executive, the Director for Fair Access and Participation, and at least seven and not more than twelve other members. All members of the board are appointed by the [[Secretary of State for Education]].<ref>{{Cite legislation UK|type=act|year=2017|chapter=0|act=Higher Education and Research Act 2017|schedule=1|accessdate=20 April 2023|date=27 April 2017}}</ref> The current OfS chair (workingfrom two2021 daysto a2024 week)<refwas name=":0">{{CiteConservative newspeer |date=2021-02-10[[James |title='Cronyism'Wharton, warningBaron overWharton Toryof peerYarm|James asWharton]], studentwho watchdogresigned |language=en-GBfollowing |work=BBCthe News2024 General Election,<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbctimeshighereducation.com/news/educationlord-56011318 |accesswharton-date=2021resigns-02office-10}}</ref>students-chair|title=Lord isWharton [[Jamesresigns Wharton,as BaronOffice Whartonfor ofStudents Yarmchair|Lorddate=9 Wharton]],July 2024|author=Tom Williams|work=Times Higher Education}}</ref> and the chief executive is Susan Lapworth.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.officeforstudents.org.uk/about/who-we-are/|title=Who we are|website=Office for Students|date=2 September 2022 |language=en|access-date=4 October 2022}}</ref>

The appointment of [[Toby Young]] to the board, announced on 1 January 2018, generated controversy over his suitability for the post.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.theguardian.com/education/2018/jan/02/doubts-cast-on-dfe-claims-of-toby-youngs-qualifications-for-watchdog-post |title=Doubts cast on DfE claims of Toby Young's qualifications for watchdog job|website=The Guardian |date=3 January 2018 |access-date=3 January 2018}}</ref> As at 8 January 2018, over 200,000 people had signed an online petition protesting his appointment. In response to questioning, the [[Theresa May|Prime Minister]] declared herself comfortable with his appointment, while the Universities minister defended him in the House of Commons. After criticism from leading Tory MPs, Young resigned on that day, claiming he had been turned into a caricature.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.theguardian.com/media/2018/jan/09/toby-young-resigns-office-for-students |title=Toby Young resigns from the Office for Students after backlash|website=The Guardian |date=9 January 2018 |access-date=9 January 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.theguardian.com/education/2018/jan/09/toby-young-how-barrage-of-nudges-made-ofs-position-untenable |title=Toby Young: how barrage of nudges made OfS position untenable|website=The Guardian |date=9 January 2018 |access-date=9 January 2018}}</ref>

In February 2021, [[James Wharton, Baron Wharton of Yarm]], a [[Conservative Party (UK)|Conservative]] peer, was made the chair and his appointment was endorsed by the [[Education Select Committee]]. [[Shadow Secretary of State for Education|Shadow Education Secretary]] [[Kate Green]] questioned his experience and suitability for the role, calling his appointment "cronyism".<ref name=":0">{{Cite news |date=2021-02-10 |title='Cronyism' warning over Tory peer as student watchdog |language=en-GB |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/education-56011318 |access-date=2021-02-10}}</ref> Although it is customary for chairs of independent bodies to resign political affiliations during their period of office, Wharton chose not to resign from the Conservative [[Whip (politics)|whip]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Kernoham |first=David |date=10 May 2023 |title=Lapworth and Wharton face the committee |url=https://wonkhe.com/wonk-corner/lapworth-and-wharton-face-the-committee/ |access-date=2023-05-15 |website=Wonkhe |language=en-GB}}</ref>