Vanessa Odgen has been named the new regional director for London, Tes can confirm.

Dr Ogden is currently the chief executive of Mulberry Schools Trust, which runs eight schools across London.

She was appointed CBE in the King’s New Year Honours list for 2024.

She will take over from Alan Parnum, who has been the interim regional director for the region since June this year.

Claire Burton was the previous permanent London regional director, having taken up the role in 2022.

Dr Ogden is one of the government’s RISE advisers and is also on the panel of the curriculum and assessment review.

Regional directors make decision on trust growth, school intervention and special educational needs provision. The roles were created in a DfE restructure taking over from the previous system of regional school commissioners. 

Regional directors are supported by an advisory board of school leaders and Dr Ogden has been a member of the board for London.

DfE welcomes appointment

Permanent secretary for the Department for Education, Susan Acland-Hood, welcomed Dr Ogden’s appointment.

“I am delighted to announce Dr Vanessa Ogden as regional director for London in the Department for Education,” Ms Acland-Hood told Tes.

“Dr Ogden’s wealth of experience will be invaluable as we drive improvement across the education and children’s social care systems.”

“She’s been working with us on driving up school standards, as well as having a strong reputation as a convener of powerful partnerships for learning and improvement across the whole system - helping us give every child the best start in life.”

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