The UK’s largest school exam board, AQA, has appointed Colin Hughes as its new chief executive.

Mr Hughes joins the awarding body from the publishing company Harper Collins, where he had been managing director of Collins Learning since 2012.

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Prior to joining Harper Collins, he founded Learnthings Ltd, the Guardian‘s digital learning business, in 2000. 

In 2006, he was appointed managing director of Guardian Professional and director in 2009.

Earlier in his career, Mr Hughes worked as a journalist for the Press Association and The Times - before moving to the Independent, where he became the paper’s education editor. He spent five years as managing editor of the Independent and Independent on Sunday.

He will join AQA from June 1 for a three-month induction period before officially taking up the role on 1 September.

During his induction, Mark Bedlow, who has been acting as interim chief executive, will continue to lead the body.

Mr Bedlow became interim chief executive after AQA’s former chief executive, Toby Salt, stepped down in September 2019 citing health and family reasons, having led the board from 2017.

Justin Van Wijngaarden, chair of AQA’s board of trustees, said: “Colin really believes in AQA’s mission to help millions of young people realise their potential - so I’m delighted that he’s bringing his vast amount of leadership experience in the education sector and building on our strengths as an organisation.

“I’d like to thank Mark Bedlow for leading AQA over the past months and those ahead. His authenticity and focus on quality has had a really positive impact on the organisation and its people, and he’ll continue to be a much-valued asset to AQA and a critical member of the executive team.”

Mr Hughes said: “Naturally, I’m thrilled to be joining the well-knit and purposeful executive team at AQA, and to help take the organisation through the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead.

“It’s a privilege to have been asked to be part of such a values-driven organisation, dedicated to providing high-quality qualifications and fair assessments to all students.”