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  • The Executive Board
  • The Ofsted Board
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The Ofsted Board

The Ofsted Board meets at least four times a year and is responsible for setting the strategic priorities, targets and objectives for Ofsted. It is responsible for ensuring that the work of Her Majesty’s Chief Inspector (HMCI) is carried out efficiently and effectively, and that it encourages improvement and the development of a focus on those using services Ofsted inspects and regulates. It sets Ofsted's strategic priorities and oversees its corporate governance. The Ofsted Board is chaired by Baroness Sally Morgan.

The people who sit on the Ofsted Board are:

• Baroness Morgan of Huyton (Chair) joined Ofsted as Ofsted Chair on 1 March 2011. Sally has a background in education, having begun her career as a geography teacher. She then worked for the Labour Party, eventually serving as the Minister of State and the Government Spokesperson for Women’s Issues at the Cabinet Office. She is a life Peer in the House of Lords.
• Sir Michael Wilshaw (HMCI) was appointed Her Majesty’s Chief Inspector of Education, Children’s Services and Skills on 1 January 2012. Prior to joining Ofsted, Sir Michael had a distinguished career as a teacher for 43 years, 26 of these as a headteacher in London secondary schools, and most recently as Executive Principal at Mossbourne Community Academy in Hackney. In addition to leading Mossbourne Community Academy, Sir Michael was Director of Education for ARK, a charitable education trust running a number of academies across England.
• Linda Farrant joined the Ofsted Board in August 2011 and is a CIPFA qualified accountant. She has undertaken a range of non-executive director roles and is currently vice-chair of NHS Hertfordshire and non-executive director of Metropolitan Housing Trust. She spent much of her career in local government working on finance, regeneration policy and practice and gained an MSC in Public Service Management.
• Andy Palmer was appointed to the Ofsted Board in August 2011. He is Director of Education and Skills at BT and has extensive knowledge and experience of work based learning and industry engagement in the education system. He was previously Chief Operating Officer at e-skills UK. His non-executive experience includes chairing the Qualifications Advisory Group of the UK Commission for Employment and Skills and he is currently a member of the Edexcel Qualifications Board, the CBI Education and Skills Committee and the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills Employer Reference Group.
• John Roberts CBE has been an Ofsted Board member since December 2006. John was Chief Executive of the Post Office for eight years and was the non-executive Director of BECTA (British Educational Communications and Technology Agency) until its closure in March 2011. He is currently a member of the Stamp Advisory Board for the Royal Mail Group and Chair of the Board of Governors for Hampton School.
• Paul Snell CBE joined the Ofsted Board in August 2011. He is the non-executive Chair of WDI Consulting and a Trustee and Council Member at Action for Children. He is the former Chief Inspector of the Commission for Social Care Inspection, and has also served as the Interim Chief Executive of the General Social Care Council. He was previously Director of Social Services for Nottingham City Council and began his career as a social worker in Coventry.
• Vijay Sodiwala has been an Ofsted Board member since June 2008. Vijay has a background in the technology, media and telecoms sector and is currently an advisor to TheBlogTV, a European social media company and Bilbary, a privately backed e-publishing company. Current non-executive Board experience includes One Housing Group operating in the housing sector and Open Rights Group which campaigns on digital rights issues.
• Sir Alan Steer was appointed to the Ofsted Board in August 2011, having previously joined the Ofsted Board in September 2008 as an education expert. Prior to this, he was Headteacher at Seven Kings school. He has also served as an Education Adviser to the Government, specifically advising on behaviour and discipline in schools, and as Pro-Director of the Institute of Education. He is currently a director at the Teaching Awards and chair of the judging panel for the Ambition AXA Awards.
• Museji Takolia CBE was appointed to the Ofsted Board in December 2006. Currently Executive Chairman of Intellicomm Solutions Limited, a software developer, he was recently appointed to chair the Member (Consumers) Panel of the National Employment Saving Trust (NEST) Corporation. He has spent the main part of his career in local government and management consulting, culminating as a senior civil servant at the Cabinet Office.
• Professor Geoff Whitty CBE was appointed to the Ofsted Board in August 2011. He is the former Director of the Institute of Education, University of London and currently an advisor to the House of Commons Education Committee. He is a member of various voluntary bodies and has served as President of both the College of Teachers and the British Educational Research Association. He began his career as a teacher in primary and secondary schools before working in higher education. He has published many books and articles on education and social policy.