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Attended Hymers College:
1978 - 1988
What makes this nominee inspiring?
John Edwards was appointed Director General to Regions Group of the Department for Education on 13 June 2022. The director general is responsible for the leadership and day-to-day management of Regions Group. The group is part of the Future DfE transformation and plays a central role in helping to develop policy across the department that reflects local needs and drives our ambition to become a more place-shaping and focused organisation.
The director general is also responsible for leading on the delivery of commitments within the schools white paper, SEND green paper, and the department’s part in delivering the levelling up white paper, as well as delivery of those recommendations taken forward from the care review.
John has previously held senior posts both within government and in the local government sector. He began his career as a teacher of mathematics and senior leader in secondary schools, before moving into local government.
His most recent roles include:Interim Chief Executive, Education and Skills Funding Agency, Director of Funding, Education and Skills Funding Agency, Regional Schools Commissioner, East Midlands and the Humber, DfE and Director of Education and Skills, Manchester City Council.