The Joint Council for Qualifications (JCQ) has announced that Philip Wright will be taking over as its new director general.

JCQ, the membership body for exam boards, said that Dr Wright would start in the position on 1 March.

Dr Wright previously served as chief executive of the Textile Services Association until December 2018.

Before that, he was chief executive of Stem Cells for Safer Medicines, and director of science and technology at the Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry.

Mark Bedlow, chair of JCQ’s board, said: “We are delighted that Philip is joining us as director general.

“The board is confident that his extensive career in managing membership organisations, and his work with both employers and the education sector, will greatly benefit JCQ in the future.”

Dr Wright said: “I am delighted to be appointed to lead the JCQ. The UK exams system has an excellent reputation both within the UK and internationally, built upon the excellence of our examination boards.

“But there is a need to communicate this - and the oversight and quality control that is in place - more effectively to parents and key stakeholders.

“Working with schools and colleges, examiners, teachers and the UK regulators, there is much we can do to build on this excellence and ensure our examination and assessment systems for both general and vocational qualifications are fit for the future.”

JCQ’s former director general, Michael Turner, left the organisation in September after six years to join the AQA exam board as director of corporate affairs.

Andy Walls, JCQ’s head of vocational policy, has been acting as interim director general since his departure.