Warwick Sharp, former principal private secretary to education secretary Damian Hinds, has been appointed a governor of London and South East Education Group.

Mr Sharp will be returning to the Department for Education this autumn after taking a break to write a book on education choices. Before his most recent post, overseeing the team supporting all education ministers, he held a range of other roles, including heading up the school strategy division and having responsibility for 16-19 policy and technical education. Mr Sharp is also a trained teacher.

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Governing board

London and South East Education Group was formed in 2018, and includes London South East Colleges, London South East Academies Trust and London Skills for Growth. Mr Sharp will join the group’s governing board this week.  

He said: “I am really keen to complement my education policy roles with experience of more direct impact in my local setting. The London and South East Education Group model is innovative and exciting, and I am looking forward to becoming part of it.

“I am keen to share my experience of education policymaking while learning more about governance within a large education group. Having led the development of recent technical education reforms, including the new T levels, this is a particularly good fit and I am looking forward to getting started.”

Chair of London and South East Education Group Stephen Howlett said: “My colleagues and I are delighted to welcome Warwick onto our group’s governing board. His expertise and experience will support us in our ambition to develop and grow the organisation - ensuring we can continue to offer high-quality education to people of all ages and backgrounds across the region.”